#FFD IPAS version 1
32 messages in this thread
Hi Pavel,
I downloaded your ffd_i.pxp. Cool! This routine adds even more flexibility to
3ds's vertex editing operations. Thanks for making version 1 freeware 🙂 That
kind of generosity is what I hope to see more of as we all get our IPAS3 kits!
Should only be a couple of days now…
Mark
Thank you,
I'm working on the next release. The full release will have the 10x10x10
hyperpatches, possibility to have several FFD boxes on the scene and one
accompanying IPAS. This new PXP will allow you to arrange "constant volume"
scaling of FFD box. I just finished the first version. You can select scaling
up/down in X,Y or Z axis (by entering the percentage) and IPAS will scale your
box to the new, with constant volume. So if you shrink down the height of the
box, the object will expand the width and/or depth (one of these can be
locked). What do you think about it ? And what do you think about $49 price for
the full version ?
Bye PavelK
Pavel,
I downloaded your ffd ipas and here's my feelings. You should wait for the IPAS
3 kit because you may be able to have a real-time, flat-shaded preview window
of the effect of moving points. I would like to see this feature in your
routine (I'm a little spoilt because I use Softimage which does gouraud shading
automatically).
Martin:
>> I'm a little spoilt because I use Softimage which does gouraud shading >>
automatically.
Then go tell it on their forum! Oh, what's that? They have no forum?
Spoiled?
Greg Pyros
Greg,
>> Then go tell it on their forum! <<
what was that for? Did I touch a raw nerve or something? Softimage probably
doesn't have a forum and since they only have around 1500 licenses out there it
would be a lonely place, probably <g>. I still prefer 3ds to work with, but I'd
like to see some of the cool features that Softimage has filter down to
3ds/IPAS – and I am starting to see this happen.
Once you see the benefits of real-time previews of geometry modifications it's
hard to live without them. However, I believe this feature is available in IPAS
3 and I'm just encouraging people to use it in their new IPAS routines.
Yes !!
As soon as the SDK3 will be available, I'll start to rewrite my PXPs. JUST GIVE
ME THE SDK !!! <G>
BTW, what do you think about my FFD.PXP ?
Thx PavelK
Pavel,
didn't Autodesk just announce that IPAS 3 SDK is now available? Maybe, I'm
dreaming <g>.
>> BTW, what do you think about my FFD.PXP ? <<
I like the idea but it really needs the realtime preview to make it very
useful. Interactivity is the keyword here.
Pavel,
<< IPAS3 >>
order it from your local dealer or by calling 1-800-879-4233
or for you international programmers 1-415-332-2344 and
ask for the Information Center.
jonas[adesk]
Pavel, the SDK is available. You should call your dealer and order it right
away. Did you get the libraries from Matrox?
John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
Pavel, the SDK is available. You should call your dealer and order it right
away. Did you get the libraries from Matrox?
John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
John, Is there some reason why your replys are coming up two three and
sometimes four times? Different message numbers but same text. Sometimes in
different sections but usually adjacent. Is this the result of this new
navigator software? Just curious.
Yeah, CsNav took a dump on me again, today. I'm posting a bug report on their
forum. This is the second time it's happened.
John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
>> Yeah, CsNav took a dump on me again, today.
Are you by any chance calling from different computers? When I was using
Tapcis, any time I moved the software from one system to another, I'd double
send replies.
No, I'm sending from the same computer. What I've been able to figure out is
that every once in a blue moon (happened twice) CsNAV will upload messages,
show error messages, but not delete the ones in the cue after they were
uploaded… so the next time I post stuff, the old messages get sent again.
John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
Thanks for the info on CISNAV or what ever it's called. I'll wait on it for
now.
Martin:
Since when are you using Softimage? You don't have an SGI at your house, do
you?
Evan
Evan,
>> Since when are you using Softimage? <<
I got a 6-9 month contract to work on a video game and I'm working at the
client's premises using the client's equipment. That includes 2 486/66 PC's
with 3d Studio and 2 SGI Indy's (loaded with options) with Softimage.
>> You don't have an SGI at your house, do you? <<
I wish!! The Indy with a bunch of options and Softimage is an excellent setup,
but still prohibitively expensive for the common man – about $40k per seat for
the config I'm using.
>> I got a 6-9 month contract to work on a video game and I'm working at
>> the client's premises using the client's equipment. That includes 2 486/66
>> PC's with 3d Studio and 2 SGI Indy's (loaded with options) with
Softimage.
A fellow game designer! Wanna share secrets? I work for Martin
Marietta on their joint game effort with SEGA…. . . .
>> Wanna share secrets? <<
I'd be glad to talk in generic terms about what I'm doing but I can't
be very specific since it's supposed to be a secretive project, not
yet publicly announced, only rumoured <g>. I can dare to say that
it's a 3d game for a next-generation, as yet unreleased, home video
game platform 🙂
>> I'd be glad to talk in generic terms….
Care to meet me in e-mail?
dan
>>I work for Martin Marietta on their joint game effort with SEGA….
. I assume this is good 3-D Stuff. We are also working with several
game developers including SEGA to incorporate more 3D into home games
and location based entertainment. Viewpoint has thousands of
render-ready 3D objects for use in these applications. Give us a
call if you don't have our catalog.
We have a 3DO 3D file format converter in development for InterChange. We're
also working with SEGA to support their file format, too.
>> Viewpoint has thousands of render-ready 3D objects for use in these
>> applications. Give us a call if you don't have our catalog.
Yea, yea, yea… I know you guys have great stuff. <BG> We have purchased a few
of your meshes in the past, including one of the skeleton models. Most of your
models are very polygon-heavy for our real-time stuff, I typically have a <200
poly budget for any single model. It was good to see you introduce the
real-time catalog at I/ITESC this year, those models are much more usable to
us.
dan
Dan – I saw your message. I'm also with Martin Marietta (at the National Lab
in Oak Ridge, TN). Where in Martin is game stuff going on? I do a lot of 3D
(mostly scientific/technical) but just as a sideline.
J K J
>> ere in Martin is game stuff going on?
Simulations and Automated Systems in Daytona Beach. Part of the GE Aero
aquisition. We will be moving to the east Orlando plant soon. My dad is also a
martinite… manager of mechanical engineering on Patriot in Orlando. What are
you involved with in Oak Ridge? Physics I suppose…..
dan
>>Oak Ridge…
I generally write software – data acquisition, image processing, Windows stuff,
whatever I can latch onto.
I have a robot simulator to build soon. I've been using 3DS on this project to
build images that feed the image analysis software development. Now we need to
build a complete interactive simulator to allow an operator to initiate a
sequence and then let the image processing computer take over and drive the
robot arm. Do you have any experience with any of the VR packages? – seems
like that might be an easy way to do the feedback on the human end.
I'd like to find out more about what your S&AS group does. Maybe we can
collaborate some. Do you have a hype brochure or could I call you on the phone
sometime?
J K J
>> I have a robot simulator to build soon.
Sounds very interesting. My degree is in Mechanical Engineering, so
dynamics and kinematics really get my juices going. While I don't
have any personal experience with the VR packages, I know that
several exist, including one by Autodesk.
Our group is primarily (go figure) military simulation oriented,
including both armor and flight simulators. Suprising as it may be,
most of our contracts are foreign. Right now we are working on
simulators for Malaysia, Singapore, Belgium, Greece, Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia, and many others. The game stuff that I am working on is very
new and different for Martin… perhaps it will open their eyes to
other adjacent markets. I would be happy to put together a hype
package, including a video, for your enjoyment. However, since I am
only a lowly contractor with 9 months experience, if you want to
collaborate, I would have to pass you on to someone else. I would be
happy to entertain your call, though. 407-696-0120.
WRT Virtual Reality interfaces – you might want to get in touch with
the University of Central Florida. They have a very highly regarded
computer science department, and founded the Institute for Simulation
and Training (IST) which has become one of the world's hot-spots for
related research. Very cool stuff, including a VR lab. I plan to
begin work on my Master's Degree in Computer Science there as soon as
Martin makes its move from Daytona to the East Orlando plant (which
just happens to be very close to UCF, IST, and the research park).
>I have a robot simulator to build soon.
I'd be glad to test it for you.. <g> Sounds rough there.. real boring
stuff. <G> I was in awe of a dinky little robot sim in some
Smithsonian museum I saw a few months ago.. The real thing would be
great to see.
While we're on the topic of robots, do you know of any low-cost/hobby
kit out there for robots? I've seen some old Lego kits, but nothing
current. Even something using R/C servo's would be great.. Any
ideas?
Hmm, how hard would it be to make a custom I/O interface out of a
serial or parallel port with support for 8+ servos? And create some
C++ modules to drive it?
(BTW- I got it! Still trying to get through the tutorials. <g> Nice
stuff.)
There are companies that specialize in controlling servos and such from a
computer, but they probably aren't real cheap. I have a couple of flyers
somewhere if you are interested. Might give you some ideas.
Hello Little John.
Oh yes, life is rough. Some days I play with 3DS, some days I build
simulators, sometimes image processing,… I've got so many projects
at the moment I can usually decide at the beginning of the day what I
feel like doing that day. What a hard life.
>>robots: hobby…
I'm not up on the current crop. At work, we are probably going to buy
an educational desk-top model complete with computer and software for
about $8000. There seem to be a lot of different small robots to
choose from, but I don't know were to start looking.
Thousands of people have build various robots from string, sealing
wax, and R/C servos. I've even seen books in the local library. As
to how hard it is to build interface hardware and software, that
depends mostly on how clever you are!
J K J
PS: Warning, Will Robinson, Danger. Do not, under any circumstance,
skimp on the 3DS tutorials! Also, don't forget to read the reference
manual – there are many what I call "mini tutorials" scattered within
– I think some of the best stuff is buried there.
<While we're on the topic of robots, do you know of any low-cost/hobby kit out
there for robots?>
Take a look at:
The Robot Builder's Bonanza
99 Inexpensive Robotics Projects
by Gordon McComb
Published by TAB Bools,
A Division of McGraw-Hill Inc
(I bought a copy a Unicorn Electronics)
For interfacing supplies (LPT/COM) review ads in "The Computer Applications
Journal,"
Published by
Circuit Cellar Ink
4 Park St., Suite 20
Vernon, CT 06069
(203) 875-2751
(Never used it but here it is:
BBS 300/1200/2400 8bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (203 8761-1988))
For somewhat related supplies, get the catalogue from Home Automation
Laboratories ( 1- 800 466 3522 or 1 800 HOME-LAB).
$49 (or even an even $50) is a good price, for a good IPAS. I like the ability
to buy only one IPAS at a time too. $50 here or there is easier to justify
(for me) than saving up for a full $300 (especially if I only want a few.) I'm
sure there are other reasons for bulk packaging though.
Thanks for the freeware too!
JNJ