#VP3.0BugFixes
60 messages in this thread
I received my VP3.0 update a few weeks back but only recently found time
to test it out. I'm running a 4000 with 10 megs and I've noticed some of
the same problems posted by other users here (SaveIFF, the Interlace
button, etc). How do I get a hold of these bug-fixed updates you've been
referring to?
I updated to VP3.0 direct from VRLI, so I assume I don't need to send in a
new registration card. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Overall, a top notch job on 3.0 ! And, from the looks of things here, the
technical support is of the same high caliber.
-Sent with AutoPilot!!!-
-Albert-
Albert:
No problem. I just need to have VRLI check their database, and when
they give the go-ahead, I can email you the update. Or I can ask VRLI to
USMail you an updated disk, but that takes a bit longer than email. Let me
know which you prefer.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
I also purchased an upgrade to VistaPro 3.0 from 2.0, and I would very
much like to get the bug fixes that you are sending to Albert Yen. I sent
my registration card into VRLI and so it should be on file. Could you ask
VRLI to send me a bug fix disk or E-mail me the update? Thanks.
Tom
Thomas:
No problem. I don't have the VRLI database here, so I will have to
call in the registration check in the morning, so I should be able to
email the update tomorrow night. Do you need the .881 or the .000 version?
(or both, but it will take twice as long for you to download)
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
I have A GVP 030 accelerator (33MHZ) with a math coprocessor so I will
need only the .881 version. Thanks very much for your help, and I'll look
forward to downloading the bug fix.
Tom
Thomas:
I'll email it in a couple of hours. New viewer will be included.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
Thanks very much for sending me the bug-fixed version of VistaPro3.0. I
look forward to working with the program and appreciate the support shown
by VRLI and your help.
Tom
Thomas:
I hope you have loads of fun with it! <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
Clint, I called up your company some time ago after I got VP3.0 and was
told that a bug fix was going out, but I've received nothing yet. I'm
having problems getting it to make any images in either HAM* or 256
colors, the graphic panel buttons don't seem to do anything. I was told
that this was a bug that was known, but I've received nothing yet. I'm
pretty sure I sent in my reg. card, Want to check?
Antonio M. Rosario
Borrklyn, NY 11217
Thanks
====>Tony<====
switching to…… AutoPilot….(click)
Tony:
Well, VRLI shipping has been swamped. If you'd like, I can email the
latest version directly to you, it's likely to get there alot faster.
Clint <VRLI>
P.S. I don't work at VRLI. I can check registration, but I can't make
shipping hurry up. <grin>
Clint,
I'd also like to take advantage of the VP 3.0 bug fix offer. Sending
E-Mail would be cool. I run VP on my A1200 (with MBX-1200), so the .881
version is the one I'll need.
As long as I've got you…I have a minor quibble re. VP 3.0. (Sorry.) I
use Windoze at work every day, and find the fact that VP 3.0 always
displays its menu headings a little confusing. I keep wanting to click on
them with the left mouse button. 🙂
Also, a point of terminology. The little requester that pops up when I
want to overwrite an existing file…it should ask "REPLACE Existing
File?" rather than "DELETE Existing File?" (This one isn't new with VP
3.0, but I've never thought to mention it before.)
VP 3.0 is otherwise an absolute blast to use. The new Clouds options and
the new 3D trees and grass are all terrific. Rendering quality is fabulous
with AGA. Great work, Clint!
-Dave (via AutoPilot)
David,
VP3 on the PC and originally on the Amiga used the left mouse button for the
menus. ALL of the beta testers complained so Clint switched the Amiga version
to using the right mouse button!
John.
John,
>>"ALL of the beta testers complained…."<<
Hehe…good for them. Gotta keep you guys on the straight and narrow. 😉
-Dave (via AutoPilot)
"all the beta testers complained…" Darn right. What the heck is this
left mouse button menu pull-down stuff anyway? Downright unnatcherl.
P^)
Goin' AP
…..Mark Sterling
David:
No problem. The menus were originally activated with the left mouse
button, as the interface was ported from the dreaded PC. This was done to
ease the problem of keeping as much code common as possible between
versions so that we could spend more time on functional enhancements and
less time making two pieces of different code do the same thing on two
machines. I asked John to make the menus act as much like Amiga menus as
possible, so that Amiga users wouldn't have to switch from what they are
used to. Yes, I still try to punch the menu buttons with the left mouse
button myself. <grin> The "Delete Existing File" is John's terminology. I
tried to change as little of his 'feel' as possible when making the
additions/changes for VP3. After all, it was his 'magic' that brought
Vista and VistaPro into being in the first place, and was the core to most
of the really neat additions to VP3. I was just the technician who did as
I was told and made it work.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
Thanks for sending the update!
I won't bug you about the menus anymore, except to say that I hope you'll
consider "fixing" 'em in a future VP release.
-Dave (via AutoPilot)
David:
I won't be doing VP 4.0, but I will pass your feelings on to Brick who
I think will be working on VP for the Amiga after this.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint –
I, too, got my VP3.0 update direct from VRLI and would like to get the bug
fixes. I assume, too, that I'm in VRLI's database. Thanks for a great
program. BTW, I'm running the .881 version.
Darron
Darron:
No problem, I'll email an update just as soon as I check the
database.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
Thanks! Just dl'ed the file.
Darron
Funny thing happened the other day. I called VRLI to order my upgrade to
VistaPro 3.0. After listening to all the problems other people were having
with 3.0 I asked them to make sure to send me version 3.02b or later. I
was informed that there was no way to tell what version it was by looking
at the box. Since I'm not interested in waiting 2 weeks to get the new
version only to find out that it's the bug ridden 3.0, I told them not to
bother with the order.
Surely there's a better way to do this. Is there any reason they couldn't
send out an extra disk containing the latest version with every package? I
realize it would cost as much as a dollar extra, but at least wouldn't get
stuck with the older version and have to spend more time and effort to get
the latest working version.
What's your opinion about this Clint? How do I upgrade directly to a
version that won't crash, works with DCTV, and renders at least as well as
2.0?
Jeff,
I certainly wouldn't call VistaPro 3.0 "bug ridden". I ran into a few
minor problems with it, but nothing serious. Of course, I don't have DCTV
so I can't say if the DC*W-specific 3eatures work or not.
As for updating to the latest version, Clint has been doing that here via
E-Mail. I asked him yesterday to send me the update. I got it today.
I recommend going ahead with your order, then getting the E-Mail update if
necessary. VP 3.0 has lots of great new features.
-Dave (via AutoPilot)
David:
Thanks for the good word, but I'm for calling a bug a bug, and VP3.0
had too many for me to be happy about. We under-estimated the remaining
problems at time of release, and some lack of communication resulted in
the original version being shipped for far longer than it should have
been. This I think has been rectified, and I think people will be quite
happy with the current version (3.03).
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
I ordered the upgrade direct from VRLI and would also appreciate the
update. I just need the version for an 040. VP3 is great. From my angle,
direct support for OpalVision would have been nice.
-Richard
Richard:
No problem. Opalvision support is on the list of things to be looked
into for VP4.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint, I just got my Upgrade to 3.0 and haven't really fiddled with it but
have sent in my Reg for it. Will I recieve the Bug Fix Disk va Snail
Mail(this is what I prefer, too expensive to DL from here IMHO since I'm
not in a HUGE hurry)
Thanx from Midgard Graphics/Summer Video
Peter:
Best bet would be to email me your address, as VRLI shipping is
swamped. I'll send out a disk from here.
Clint <VRLI>
Great news and thanks for the update.
-Richard
I was going to ask what version VP is up to but you already answered that
(3.03). I am not a VP owner (I use SA) but my friend upgraded to VP 3.0
and has ver. 3.00, for the bug fixes are you sending patches or the whole
program? If it was patches I was going to get it for him but if not I'll
tell him to snail mail you guys.
My friend had LOTS of problems with it when he first got it and I tried to
help him and found that the diskfont.library that came with VP was causing
it to crash on startup, but it still crashes on exit.
I have been thinking of getting VP myself since there are SOOO many
options with VP that SA doesn't provide but not having much of a need for
landscapes I think I'll stick with SA, at least for now.
<<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
Anthony:
I'm sending out the complete program, too many fixes for patches.
What version of AmigaDOS is your friend running? His symptoms sound like
1.3, and VistaPro 3.0 requires 2.04 or later to operate reliably. I was
quite impressed with SA's trees, but for obvious reasons I like VistaPro
better. I'm _totally_ unbiased, of course. <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
What are the differences between the trees in SA and the new 3D trees in VP3?
Nick
Nick:
Just slightly different algorithms for the Oak. VP's Pine is more of a
full fir tree sort of like a Christmas tree, while SA is the type with the
thin exact branches, I can't remember the correct names for the types of
pine trees they are. Then of course, the Palm and Cactus don't have a
corresponding type in SA.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint, In an effort to avoid the 'stand in line for your patch' syndrome
which appears to have begun… What do you think would be a reasonable
amount of time to wait before ordering VP from VRLI to avoid this mess?
I currently do not own VP, but REALLY want to get a copy. I am, however,
a tad hesitant after watching this thread grow and grow… I would be
willing to wait a few weeks (while I've a pressing desire for VP, I've
no pressing need) in order to get a revised version and not have the
hassles… Any suggestions for a wait state? Or should I just dive in
and join the line??
-Barry
PS, Thanks in advance for what appears to be a well supported program.
If it performs anywhere near the way this thread indicates the support
has, it'll be a great program!!
Barry:
Probably best to dive in and enjoy the fun. If downloading the update
is a hassle, I can USMail it as well, if you would rather. Theoretically,
they have cut over to the new version already, but theory and reality have
not always co-incided. Let me know when you order, and I can have the disk
in the mail immediately, so you can recieve the update before you receive
the real thing. <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
I didn't experience any serious problems with VP 3.0, just the Interlace
button thing and a few others. I render to IFF24 and then convert down to
HAM8 (or whatever) with ImageMaster, so I didn't notice the HAM8 rendering
problems.
I commend you for your attitude and for your willingness to make the 3.03
update available to us registered owner types for the asking. Thanks! 8^)
-Dave (via AutoPilot)
David:
I would rather see customers happily using VistaPro than people
griping about the bugs. <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
Jeff:
I just spoke with Lance when I sent in 3.03, and made sure that this
version would get in to production. They will be doing a reburn of
existing stock. Apparently the previous versions that I had sent had made
it down to the duplicaters where they sat, awaiting orders from VRLI which
never came because their tech people had not told Lance that I had sent a
new version in. I didn't find out about that until I received upgrades to
send to our beta testers (so they would have the finished product) and
they were all still 3.00.
As far as making sure that you have the latest, go ahead and order,
and send me email at the same time. I'll check with VRLI shipping and when
they get your order, I'll either email you the update to the latest or
send you a disk (your preference). That way you won't have to wait any
extra time. Unfortunately, I don't have much say at all as to how things
are handled at VRLI, but I do have a say as to how I handle tech support
here on CIS. <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
I guess the line forms here :)! I also ordered VP3.0 directly from
VRLI. Please add me to any Cmail update mailing list that you are putting
together. You must feel like the teacher who decides to give one student a
treat and suddenly finds himself surrounded by 30 me too, me too, me
toos!
…AutoPilot Engaged…
-Paul-
Paul:
Not really, I kinda expected it. VistaPro users deserve a version that
is clean, and I'm just doing what I can to see that they get it. This is
also giving me a nice list of VistaPro users who also inhabit CIS. <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
Thanks Clint. I appreciate your support!
🙂
…AutoPilot Engaged…
-Paul-
Clint,
Thanks for the e-mail offer. I just ordered my upgrade from VRLI and they
told me they're currently shipping 3.03. If there's a newer version with
all kinds of cool new features you might want to let them know. Hopefully
they'll send me the latest one.
I've got 2 questions about 3.03:
1. Is it possible to do a DCTV vanim? On 2.0 you could do DCTV OR vanim
but not both at the same time.
2. The ad for the 3.0 mentions that it generates left & right views for 3D
viewing. Does 3.03 support X-Specs or do I have to merge the left & right
images into a stereo image myself?
Jeff:
I talked with Laura today, and they are currently shipping 3.03, which
is the latest. Yes, you can set DCTV and VANIM at the same time (as well
as HAME and VANIM), and the Viewer works fine with the DCTV VANIM's.
VistaPro 3 will generate left, center and right views, and has a merge
function which will merge previously generated left and right views. It
also comes with a utility which causes the serial port to get a signal at
every top of screen. I have used it with Sega and Toshiba glasses, but
have not personally used the X-Specs, though it should work with them.
(You may have to save the merged image and use the xspecs software to
view)
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
Thanks for the info. I can hardly wait to get my copy. I've got a pair of
Sega glasses but I didn't know Toshiba made them. Where'd you get an
interface for the glasses?
Jeff:
Jean Ames' (VRLI tech support) brother designed a simple one that fit
inside of a DB25 connector hood. I'll try to get detailed info from him to
post. He was going to make the interface to sell at one time, but I don't
know whatever became of that plan.
Clint <VRLI>
This sounds like an interface I saw once for MessyDos machines. This was a
modified Sega interface that would plug into the serial port. Not much
software support for that sort of thing on the Amiga. He might still be
able to sell the interface if it were possible to get the glasses and
interface for about $50. In my opinion the reason x-specs died out was
that they were a little too expensive for people to buy just to play
around with. Of course up here in Canada if you saw them in a computer
store the price was about $200, and as impressed as I am with mine,
there's no way I'd recommend them at that price. If they were shipped with
a 3D Dungeon Master/Eye of the Beholder type game it'd probably do wonders
for sales.
Jeff:
The 3-d effects can be pretty spectacular, but to be truthful, the
glasses give me quite a headache if I use them for more than a few
minutes. I still classify them in the 'toy' catagory, but they are going
in the right direction.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
I went looking through my old downloads and it turns out that I have a
library for x-specs. If I send it to you, would you be interested in
trying to add x-specs support to VistaPro? Since it sounds like VistaPro
already calculates the images for a stereoscopic picture the only thing
needed to create x-specs pictures and anims is the appropriate file and
image view functions.
I realize you don't have x-specs, but if you can find a local Amiga user
who does perhaps you could trade a copy of VistaPro for a weeks loan of
the glasses. I'd offer to lend you mine, but I live in Canada and
unfortunatly the customs department doesn't believe ANYTHING should cross
the border without dutys and fees. :^(
Better yet, tell VRLI they HAVE to buy you a set so you can do proper
tech support for that function. ;^)
Jeff:
Is that just the library, or a description of the calls etc as well?
I'll be glad to give it a try. VRLI spend money on tech support? <no
comment> <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
I believe all the information on how to use the library is there. I'll
find out if there's a newer version and e-mail it to you in the next
couple of days.
Jeff:
Thanks!
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
VistaPro3.03's stereo works fine with X-Specs. Images can be directly
viewed from VP but the glasses need to be toggled externally since they
are attached to the joystick port instead of the serial port.
-Richard
Richard:
If I can figure out how X-Specs wants to be toggled, I could add that
into VistaPro. Any help in that area would be appreciated.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint –
There is a PD(shareware?) library called "xspecs.library" that has a
whole slew of functions in it for using X-Specs. It should be on here
somewhere, or if you have access to Portal (since they don't purge their
files) it should be there. I'd upload mine, but there were several pieces
in the archive (library, example source, etc.) that I've split to several
different places so I wouldn't be able to re-build the distribution
properly.
Harry
Harry:
I'll check it out. I don't have Portal access, but if it's useful, and
PD or shareware, it's probably somewhere on CIS as well. <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
What exactly is VANIM? I have heard it mentioned before but never bothered
to ask.
<<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
Tony:
VANIM is VistaPro's uncompressed animation format used by the
VistaPro Viewer program to play animations from disk.
Clint <VRLI>
Got my patch disk today. Thanx Clint.
Vanim is an anim format that VistaPro uses. It plays anims from your hard
drive. A little slow unless you have a REALLY fast hard drive or very
small delta files. Still, it plays quicker than an MPEG and allows for
anims that are much bigger them would fit in ram:
Clint:
Sorry, I've been really busy this last week and just now found the time
to get back online. I did receive the update you CMailed and I'm in the
process of enjoying it right now. Thanks again for the great support.
-Sent with AutoPilot!!!-
-Albert-
Albert:
Glad you're having fun!
Clint <VRLI>