CompuServe Messages

*Every time* that "student" version is used for professional purposes (and I'm SURE there would be plenty of them), it would be another act of piracy. The only difference between what goes on now, and what would happen then is that there would be MORE of it (piracy). Here is my basic idea of a "true full-featured student version" of 3DS: This version of 3DS (for learning ONLY) would be internally limited to a VERY small resolution (around 180-200 pixels across) for still images, Preview mode for animations, save .3ds and .prj files in a proprietary "student" format only, and NOT be capable of running any (but a small sample) of IPAS routines. It would be priced very reasonably, so no one would have to steal it. The documentaion would be complete. This would allow *anyone* to LEARN 3DS to their heart's content, but make it impossible to really sell anything, although a "student", armed with the 3DS demo tape, and a couple of small stills and Preview animations could more than likely land a freelance project and realize the goal: to BUY 3D Studio! After the sale, Adesk could supply a mail-order "service" to "unlock" those student .3ds and .prj files so they can be used with the "Pro" version. I've always thought that ANYONE who really, really wants to learn something should be (reasonably) provided the tools for doing so. Just my .02$… -Alan Iglesias