CompuServe Messages

#R4

    27-Jul-94 06:39:03
Sb: #R4
Fm: Paul Lind 71543,2104
To: All
O.K., Let's try to get a handle on the R4 product. a.) There's a new version of 3DS coming out in the next 2 to 3 months. b.) This is alot faster than the standard 18 month cycle. c.) There'll be an upgrade fee of $295 from R3 d.) The Yost Group did some internal changes into the code, but the vast majority of the features in R4 are supplied by 3rd partys. (A huge break from the traditional Adesk/Yost Group SOP) e.) They're showing off the new release at Siggraph, months before it'll ship. f.) It appears that this is setting a major precedent for Adesk/Yost Group and we are now witnessing 3DS becoming a totally modular program. g.) No announcements have been made regarding recompiling for other operating systems or Pentiums, so it's obviously not happening in this release, if at all. Now the questions: 1.) Since Gary listed the IPAS routines as part of the feature set of R4, does that mean that we'll get a number of boxes from the various authoring companies, including the IPAS routines? 2.) Who will provide the support for the various modules of the product? 3.) Will the end user be faced with various upgrades from the various authoring companies or will all upgrades be attached to upgrades in 3DS itself? Paul