#setting up a tablet
10 messages in this thread
I am using the most current version of 3D studio on a 33/486 8MB RAM and 340MB
SCSI hard disk. My tablet is a Summagraphics II Plus, 12 x 12.
I am having an aspect ratio problem with the table and need your assistance.
When I draw a square using your coordinates as a reference it looks like a
square on the screen. No problem. When I try to trace a square using the
tablet I end up with a rectangle on the screen. For example, A 3.25" x 3.25"
square on paper, traces to a 164 unit x 220 unit rectangle in the 2D shaper.
This is not very useful.
I have been trying to reach my dealer for help but he has been unavailable for
several days. I have tried other dealers and they want me to buy an annual
support contract before they will help me. Summagraphics says I need to solve
this one through you folks since the tablet is working fine otherwise.
The tablet is setup as a DGPADI device and is being recognized by 3DS. (there
is a SET command in Autoexec for DGPADI, and the 3DS.set file has been setup
for it)
When I go into the Info menu, select Configure, and Area, and click on opposite
corners of the tablet 3DS confirms the drawing area and allows me back into the
shaper. That seems to make no difference on the aspect ratio problem though.
How do I get a square to trace as a square?
PS…I have both 3ds and Animator Pro and like both programs very much. Your
method of providing help through dealers though is driving me nuts. If I knew
the kind of problems I would have getting help I would not have gone with
autodesk programs. As it is I need to use a CAD program and have so much
invested in 3DS and Animator Pro that I am reluctant to use something other
than AutoCAD, but I hate to subject myself to this help system again. This
service on Compuserve is great, but does little good when you need help
reasonably quickly.
Thanks for the assistance.
Dave
Dave:
The problem is that 3D Studio really isn't made to do what you are trying –
especially with the aspect ratio.
One thing you could do – create a square on the tablet, trace it, and
measure it in 3D Studio. This will give you your aspect ratio.
Now trace in your image, and, when it is done, just scale it in one
dimension by the aspect ratio. Presto!
The tool you really want for this is AutoCAD, which incorporates a
calibration system for doing exactly what you want, and is meant for this
kind of work.
Sorry your dealer isn't helping you, but please don't judge all of us by
him!
Greg Pyros
Thanks, I will definately give that a try tonight.
Since I have your attention let me throw out another question or 2.
1.
I have a number of images in Corel Draw that I have attempted to bring over to
3ds. Corel has an export feature that converts to .DXF. When I do that I end
up with far more vertices in the dxf than I had nodes in Corel. Is there a way
to control this from within 3DS? If not is there a relatively simple way to
quickly reduce the number of vertices in an object? I spoke with Corel and
they are sending me a slightly more current rev. that corrects some problems
with the export system, but they did not think it would affect this particular
problem.
2.
I would like to increase the performace of 3DS, especially when rendering. I
have a 486/33 with a 340MB SCSI disk and 8MB RAM. I have been told the most
improvement can be gained by upping the RAM to the max – 32MB, as opposed to
using a graphics accelerator card. Is this correct? Any suggestions?
Please don't misunderstand me about your help system. I like the dealer I
bought from, but he is just not there most of the time and every where else I
go for assistance (except your CompuServe service) wants me to buy an annual
support plan because I didn't buy from them. It is frustrating, more so
because I wasn't aware about this facet of Autodesk before I bought the
products.
Ordinarily I am in no hurry for answers on products I own personaly. In this
case I had specifically taken a day off to have the opportunity to sit down and
call for assistance on these problems, and essentially wasted a day and lots of
phone time getting no where. I have to admit…I would like to buy Autocad but
am gun shy now. That is alot of money to pay without getting a really solid
support system behind it.
Anyway…..thanks much for the assistance. Will let you know how this turns
out.
Dave
Dave:
Sure, you have my attention! But first, just to let you know, I don't work
for Autodesk – I'm just another %#$&% 3DS and AutoCAD dealer! <g>
1) Corel's export is the problem, not 3DS's import. 3DS basically puts a
vertex wherever Corel tells it to. Just bring them into the shaper and
delete a bunch of vertices that you don't need.
2) Yes, you are 100% right! Adding memory is the best way to seriously
speed up your rendering! And the program will max out at 64megs, not 32!
Get it up to at least 16 immediately, and check to see if you are swapping
after a render (just hit the '?' key and it'll tell you). If it still
swaps, just add more!
Greg Pyros
Again, Thanks!
Corel is sending me a new subversion with a new export program in it. Will see
what happens. I counted last night. a simple drawing with 42 nodes converted
to a .dxf file with 734 vertices. A touch excessive to my way of thinking.
Will definately give the RAM a try. My machine unfortunately maxes at 32MB
RAM.
Yet another question. This am I moved my copy of Autodesk Animator Pro to my
office for some projects. (Deleted it from my home machine and did a full
install at the office) I get a message saying the aa.mu can't be found and
needs to be in the resource directory. It is in the resource directory though.
Also in the ANI directory. I am obviously missing something here.
Lastly (for now at least). What dealer do you represent and what arrangements
do you make for tech support with these programs? While I don't like Autodesks
help system, I do understand the situation of the dealers under this
system…difficult to support users who haven't purchased products from you. I
didn't realize I was putting another dealer in this same situation on this
forum.
Dave
Dave,
tThe Animator Pro error you're getting is because Animator Pro does not
see enough of your system memory. Either you're very, very low on the DOS
memory under 640k, or possibly a memory manager is conflicting with AAPRO
seeing the 4M is needs.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Thanks, will check RAM. Have a network running so there is tons of stuff
loaded.
In addition to what Greg says, after importing a Corel Draw file into the
Shaper, try using Modify/Vertex/Weld with all the vertices selected. Experiment
with different Weld-Threshold settings in the System Options dialog (it's in
the Info menu).
– Jack
Will give that a try this evening. Thanks!
Incidentally, I noticed your address is the YOST group. I picked up several of
your IPAS routines and have had a great time with them. Looking forward to
some serious use of them soon as I get to know 3DS better. Thanks for a neat
product!
Dave
David,
I read your question about bringing graphics to 3DS from Corel Draw. My humble
experience with the same thing has left me never using the DXF format for the
reason you mentioned – hundreds of extra vertices in the shaper.
However, the AI (Adobe Illustrator) format has worked well, putting vertices
only where expected. I select the desired graphics, choose Export,
"Illustrator 88,3.0,*.AI;*.EPS" and save selected as Adobe Illustrator 1.1
format, text-as-curves if appropriate. This will make an AI file that 3DS
loads easily.
I am using Corel 3.0 Rev A. I got in the habit of setting fill to none and
using hairline outines, but I don't know if that is necessary. BTW, this is one
way to use TrueType and other non-postscript fonts in 3DS.
I appologize for butting in if you already have this under control.
JKJ