3ds & NT ????
>> I'm interested in Superscape,<<
Superscape is expensive, but it is a fast stable developement platform that
meets our needs.
>> Superscape's GUI based modeler and world builder intrigued me. <<
Actually the modeler is one of the weekess points. It's the equivalent of
working with a beta of 3DS release 1. They're about 5 years behind in object
creation. We are currently working on ways to use 3DS to create object and
port them into Superscape. I refuse to use modeling techniques I used 5 years
ago!
>>Sure would love to hear more about your experiences with it, frame rates,
etc., and your thoughts on where it might be in a year.<<
The first thing you'll experience with Superscape is that it is a cuboid
developement platform. Meaning that all boundries are determined by cubes and
that facets are rendered by a sorting function. This makes Superscape fast but
very difficult to use. I would prefer a platform that uses a Z-buffer system.
The frame rates are quite acceptable. Rates seem more dependant upon the speed
of you video card bus that in the performance of your CPU. As far as next
year, Superscape is releasing the NT version of their software right now. The
product will run under Windows 3.x with the Win32 add-on. You'll want Win95 or
NT to use the product though. The performance hit is to high if you don't.
>>why did you guys choose it over the other system<<
My world is one of productivity. CDK requires developers with a higher level
skill set that comes at a higher cost. I can have more developers and produce
more product with superscape at the same labor cost. I can't afford a
developement team of C programers. If Autodesk address that issue in the
future I'd move over in a heart beat. Right now though, my computer based
training system standard consist of a 100mhz Pentium, 32 meg ram, PCI video
card, sound blaster AWE 32, CD-Rom, Etc. The software I use for developement
has to be simple and be able to run on my standard system with no hardware
assist. When 3D accelerated cards are common then we'll have Corporate spend a
year plus to decide to include them in the "Standard" system for CBT.
Hopefully, I given you something to think about.
Scott Lunsford