#IPAS Routines
Mike,
Interesting question. Of course , one mans core routine, is another mans
special effect — only the designers of the code can really draw the line
but this is the perfect forum to suggest mid-course corrections or politely
disagree.
I have a similar beef about a program called Tapcis. There are bunches of
shareware add-ons that I don't buy on principle cause I think they ought to
be part of the main program. Still it gives Tapcis great flexability to be
all things to all people.
Look at the tremendous success AutoDesk has had concentrating on core
issues while an entire industry of 3rd party developers has grown up around
special interest AutoCad product. 3-D Studio , espeically the IPAS
extentions is in its infancy, once the developers kit becomes available to
outsiders it will be interesting to see if things catch fire .
Hey Gary, lets start a public wishlist file of IPAS routines for
commercial, shareware, and freebie authors to consult when considering what
stuff to add-on. I'm sure we've all got some cool IPAS fantasies and
practical applications ideas. You could keep the ASCII file in a DL updated
once a month or so adding new stuff, deleting whats been released, kind of
an ongoing computerized want list directory like the stores do for
weddings.
Bruce and ???? would like silver service pattern 4-B and an IPAS routine
that allows flocking, schooling, and collision avoidance behavioral
animation controls. See IPAS partical systems and papers by Craig Reynolds
for inspirations.