CompuServe Messages

[ continuation ] loading IFF24 pics, and will often choose not to load a file that loads using the simple view software, and lock up the program. Once MacroPaint locks up, the graphics board can not be turned off, so the computer becomes inoperable until it is rebooted. MacroPaint has a great feature, that simulates switching screens to the workbench screen, and therefore operating the computer while MacroPaint and the 24 bit board hide in the background. It's a great idea, but badly implemented. If you move your mouse too close to the edge of the workbench screen, the 24 bit board will be superimposed onto the simulated workbench screen. This feature needs alot of work. Indeed, most of the software requires a lot of additional work. I can think of many features that they should design into their software, but I'll wait for them to get the simple stuff right first! Scala is quaint. It comes with one disk, and the major feature that I can see is it's ability to utilize WB 2.04's outline fonts (the only software I know of that can do this). The backgrounds offered in the individual package are not in this bundled version. In fact the IV24's ability to genlock backgrounds is supposed to take its place (BTW Scala doesn't utilize the IV24 actively in any way – it just serves as a genlocking background maker). Caligari is a bit of a disappointment. They added the ability to render directly to the IV24 bit board, and it appears to be a sturdy program. The problem is that they left out MANY of Caligari's features. They left out animation, point editing, metal shading to mention the major ones. It just seemed like they want to use it as an advertisement for some future verion of Caligari Broadcaster (for some rediculously expensive price). Perhaps if I had more experience with 3D modelers, I could go into more detail, and perhaps do greater things with the version of Caligari that they've bundled. At this point I am seriously considering purchasing Imagine. Ray tracing, although it is more [ MORE ]