#HSC KPT, help…
4 messages in this thread
Richard,
Thank you for providing a DEMO version of your Gradient Designer for 3DS.
Could you give some hints on how to check it out?
I downloaded the demo version GDFX10.EXE, installed it, switched to 16bit
Vibrant drivers, and the interface comes up fine. When I select certain
presets from the list, error messages report missing .TGA and .JPG files. I
can create gradients, but don't know how to apply them within 3DS. Also, how
do I try out some of the time dependent effects?
Are there any files in the LIB which would give some help? If not, could you
provide a short tutorial?
Also, after clicking on a bunch of things and having switched to the Timeline
mode, I clicked on Help, hit a few cursor keys, then ESC. 3DS crashed to DOS,
requiring a hard reset. Any ideas on how to track down what the problem might
be?
Thanks!
JKJ
PS: I tried calling HSC at 1-800-472-9205 as you mentioned in msg #152354 but
it seems to be an invalid number. Is there another number?
John,
I'm not sure about the missing .tga error.
You can apply a saved .grd file just as you would use any .tga, .gif, .cel
by simply typing in *.grd ans sellecting the appropriate file you wish
to use. They can be materials, backgrounds, layers in video post etc.
Like I said, anywhere you would use any other graphic file format you
are already farmilliar with. The .bxp makes the translation for 3DS.
Animation Walkthrough
1. Open the Gradient Designer, press the "Clear" button. Change to the
Keyframe Editor.
2. Change the Algorithm Control to Radial Sweep, and the Looping Control
to A->B, No Distortion, Repeat Once.
3. Add 60 frames to the animation. (Click on the bottom right "Add
Keyframe" button. Holding down the Shift key while clicking and
holding adds frames more quickly.)
4. Move to the Frame forward/backward button and click on the right side,
advancing the animation a few frames.
5. Now click in the gradient color bar and change the color. Notice the
Keyframe icon has changed from gray to blue.
6. Advance a few more frames.
7. Chance the direction control. Give it a quick whirl. There should now
be three keyframes. The second keyframe should be blue instead of
gray (indicating color change), and the third keyframe should have
a left arrow (indicating direction change.)
8. Click on the first keyframe.
9. Click on the right side of Frame forward/backward to play what you've
done so far. 10. Advance to frame 35. Change the direction control again.
11. Go back to frame 0 and play back the animation. Notice how the
interpolation as much smoother over a greater number of frames.
I hope this is helpful. It's directly from the tutorials.
-Lee
John,
The version posted on CompuServ has limited presets. I did this to reduce the
amount of time it would take to download the file. You can view which presets
are
included by going to OPEN from Gradient Designer fx 1.0 and then accessing the
\gradient directory. Gradeints ( GRD ), animated or static can be placed
anywhere a bitmap can be placed within 3D Studio. The demo version doesn't
allow you to save any of your own creations.
>>view which presets are included by going to OPEN…
Thanks for repling, Richard.
There is no OPEN anywhere on the screen or in any menus I can find.
Regardless, the gradients included with the demo version I downloaded are
obviously
FADE, ANIMGLOW, COMET1, COMET2, COMET3, COPPER, & VIDEO.
As I mentioned in my later message, only COPPER.GRD seems to be available for
demo due to missing bitmap files. Should these files have been included or is
leaving them out part of what you meant by "limited presets"?
Lee Steel supplied some much needed help with the animation features in message
#157328 and #157429. While I can appreciate the HSC on-screen austerity theme,
I think you might save your potential customers some frustration by including
some basic information like this with the demo version. It may be easier for
someone to want to buy your program if they can make the demo work!
JKJ