posted 10-04- 11:28 AM               

quote:

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Version 3.0 - corrected fault in VRML1 parser where the first node in a seperator was ignored. First field in move-to/size-to/rotate/scale dialog is not set to main focus when displayed. Paste now moves the new stuff one snap-grid unit (so it's not over the original geometry). Fixed translation/rotation/scale problem in VRML1 loader. Settings are now automatically saved when exiting the program. Load/save and texture dirs are remembered. Fixed problem with texture offsets getting corrupted. Expressions can now be entered in the move-to/size-to/rotate dialogs. Control-S now correctly saves the model with the last saved file name (like it said it would on the menus). Modified VRML2 proto output so that multiple shape are put in a group.

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Doesn't look like much has changed since the last beta that we are all using, but at least we won't be using beta anymore

Seems like the plugins would still work, there is no mention of any changes in that area...

------------------
-Sv =FC=

WWI in SDOE!

posted 10-05- 09:37 AM            

If you haven't yet worked it out, I'm the author of AC3D.

One thing I've noticed from reading stuff here is that people are finding bugs but not reporting them to me. I've found that this is extremely common but positively, a lot of people 'learn' where these bugs are and work around them whilst continuing to use the program. It's difficult to test everything and bugs will happen. If you find something - please let me know.

I haven't tested them but I'm pretty sure that Hippies excellent plugins will work with the lastest version of AC3D.

The models that I see on these pages are fantastic and it's great to see that my little amateur program contributes.

best wishes,

Andy

posted 10-05- 10:40 AM            

By 'object subtract' - I assume you mean subtracting one object from another (CSG)? Well this is something that lots of people want (including me) but the main probalem is that AC3D objects are not 'solid' but made up of polygons. Because of the amount of control AC3D gives you with the vertices and polygons - it's easy to make holes in stuff. This requires some very clever code just to see if an object has holes in it. This would be OK for basic objects like sphere, cube etc but for other shapes, it's very difficult with the current underlying structures in AC3D.

The good news is that someone is working on a plugin to do all this. I think he found it a challenge that I said I wouldn't attempt it!

I'm not sure how far he's got yet...

posted 10-05- 10:54 AM               

I love AC3D, for a low-poly editor I feel it is better than 3Dsmax, at a very practical level. Combined with Hippie's plug-ins I feel it is the best 3d editor for creating OpenPlane objects.

There are some bugs, and these can be reported. However, the largest issue we seem to run into is that AC3D is just very picky about what video cards it will run on. With many cards it just crashes or will not render some of the viewports. Why is this?

Could AC3D have a feature to help us get AC3D to work around the 3d card/driver issues better? (software mode?) I think many more people would be interested in AC3D if we could get past the video card compatibility issue.

I tried to migrate my work to 3dsmax because AC3D kept failing with my 3d cards. I found that many of the 3dsmax guys seem to be working around 3dsmax limitations when it comes to low poly modeling! Yes 3dsmax is the industry standard, reliable, and very powerful - but I still do not find it the most efficient solution for low poly modeling, at least in the way I need for OpenPlane. So I created a new computer system just to work with AC3D!

The main challenge that faces us is smooth-shading / vertex normals. Tools to help see and edit the vertex normals would be very helpful - or maybe tools that help manipulate smooth shading at a lower level. We can end up with shading seams if we make mistakes, and these can be hard to fix. Now that I understand the issue better, I have not had smooth shading issues when using AC3D, so long as I model and shade in the correct order.

Once again Andy, AC3D rules!!! Thank you for a great product.

------------------
-Sv =FC=

WWI in SDOE!

posted 10-05- 10:59 AM               

just thought i'd point that out. great program andy. Best 40 bucks i ever spent!

------------------
Tony "Razer" Martin

"Making SDOE a dangerous Place, One plane at a time!"
FS Hangar

posted 10-05- 11:10 AM               

1) Identify the polygons on the object being subtracted from that might possibly intersect with the object being subtracted
2) Parse through the verticies pairwise, using each pair of verticies as lines for detecting planar intersection with each poly, add a point at the point of intersection.

posted 10-05- 11:22 AM               

Yep I would say that the biggest issue I had with Ac3d, was the Video display.

BTW SV, I don't think 3dsmax would be the industry standard if it wasn't good at low poly modeling, remember all those other games need low poly models too. It isn't however as easy to learn as Ac3d.

posted 10-05- 02:28 PM            

I've found the Nvidia cards have great OpenGL drivers. I Voodoo3 card still has trouble (although there may be more recent drivers that I haven't tried).

I have to admit that AC3D is primarily developed under Unix and the port to windows is a simple one - I'm not an experienced windows programmer.

I think 3ds has a way of selecting the graphics system to use - I'd like to do this in AC3D but I don't know how to. It should solve problems like this.

Any pointers from programmers most welcome!

Andy

posted 10-05- 02:51 PM               

Glad to see your ontop of the video issues.

I use max and yes it lets you select.

Heidi, Software OR custom driver

Open GL

OR

D3D.

I'm using Open GL with my Voodoo Banshee and it runs pretty nice.

posted 10-06- 08:15 AM               

it's nothing real important, since it's not hard to work around.

posted 10-06- 08:34 AM               

There are other reasons to factor in, I imagine that it is better for the industry to use the same appliaction as standard even if one area might not be the best - this is one power Microsoft has that I enjoy.

Also I think that expert 3dsmax users would be able to do petty low-poly work easier with a 3d program that they do not need to re-learn, even if it is not as effeciant at the task.

The advantage AC3D has is that it is only a low poly editor, so it uses a metephore more in tune with its job as, basicaly, a poly editor! If Andy continues his work and AC3D becomes a stable feature rich program than it will kick the crap out of 3dsmax for low poly editing - NOT because 3dsmax is bad, but because 3dsmax has lots and lots of high-poly and motion baggage.

Have you noticed how few low poly operations there are in 3dsmax, and how well they hide behind the high-poly interface?

I do think 3dsmax is a wonderful application, and I do not dispute it is the industry standard for a reason, but in order to empower yourself to succeed you must think for yourself! I spent much deliberation about how to move forward - 3dsmax or ac3d - and I do plan on doing allot of 3d modeling... AC3D is just the better solution if you forst concearn is your ability to create high quality models quickly for SDOE. Off course this assumes that AC3D is working for you and you are not allready a 3dsmax expert. But I do think that even a fairly well versed 3dsmax user could indeed gain benefits from mastering AC3D, at least for some tasks - really I do!

3dsmax is more than a fine solution, but for most of us, when price is figured in, AC3D becomes very attractive.

What about Creator? Could someone with Creator experience give some insight as to how well Creator works for creating OpenPlane models?

posted 10-06- 01:04 PM               

you hit the nail on the head SV, Actually Twice.

If i Wanted to work full time as a 3d artist, what good is knowing Ac3d?

And

What good is Ac3d to me if it doesn't work correctly>? I played with it in the beggining but the video was messed, even after weeks of trying different GL drivers.

Yeah Creator does look cool, I noticed that the artists for WW2 online are using it too.

I do wish there was a couple preconfigured interfaces for MAx that included a game modeling Setting, to get rid of all the higher poly stuff and animation controls.

posted 10-06- 05:05 PM               

I'm the guy who pestered you about the AC3D not working with Matrox G-200 grasphic thingy .

To all,
This guy Andy does respond to peoples posts even as stupid as mine. Once I figured out that because I had had some (55 min a day) time I could get myself a 3D modelling app and build a PZL P.11 (become famous for my outstanding achievements in the field of 3D modelling).
Sadly I couldn't manage to fire up the AC3D with the Matrox (Matrox peple said they don't support shareware programs - I asked the buggers if they support other, "recognized" 3rd parties software like 3dfx Glide).
Then this nasty Zurawski character springs up with his own P.11 and beats me to it !

So, you were spared the products of my 3D modelling prowess (none, for those still thinking I posses any).
Now I'm thinking about taking up modelling career (of catwalk kind sort of thing )

Cheers and may your Skill and Andy be with you!

posted 10-07- 11:30 AM            

Sorry but this is surprisingly difficult to fix - it may be done in the future but I'm afraid it's not a priority at the moment. I wasn't going to put the textures in the XY window at all, because I couldn't do the other 2d windows as well - but I thought it may be useful like it is.

You could always use Linux - it is fully textured on this platform 8-)

Andy

posted 10-07- 11:33 AM            

Andy