#Release 2 Raytracing?
8 messages in this thread
Dennis,
If you havn't written this code (to translate 3DS files) already, I'd
suggest you spend your time in more useful pursuits, like writing IPAS
applications. I'd bet there is a much larger market for IPAS applications
than for raytracing 3DS files.
James
James,
This may be a stupid question, but what is IPAS?
Dennis Bragg
Dennis,
I quote from Appendix C of the 3DS reference manual:
IPAS processes are Phar Lap 386 programs that share memory buffers with
Autodesk 3D Studio for high speed inter-program communication. The four
types of processes have these DOS file extender names:
IXP Image-processing eXternal Process
PXP Proceedural modeling eXternal Process
AXP Animated stand-In eXternal Process
SXP Solid pattern eXternal Process
The Acronym IPAS is derived from the first letter of the name of each type
of process.
Autodesk 3D Studio includes sample programs for fourteen IPAS applications.
They are useful for their intrinsic utility and as examples of IPAS
programming.
The sample processes illustrate techniques that IPAS applications can use
to extend the built-in features of Autodesk 3D Studio. The capabilities of
Autodesk 3D Studio for modeling, rendering, and animation are merely a
jumpping-off point. Using IPAS applications, you can infinitely extend
Autodesk 3D Studio with programs that proceedurally model, render, animate
and image-process 3D scenes.
Hope that describes it adaquately enough. If not I suggest you contact Gary
Yost or Autodesk Developer Services (John Sergeni) for more details.
James
Jack, Does IPAS open the door for programs that will assist in
Keyframing with accurate object collision detection, customized object
link/hierarchy, etc, etc..? I hope all the motivated programmers out
there are working as we speak!
JR
Motivated programmers would be working on it, if they could get the IPAS
developers kit… 🙁
– Still
Waiting…
My goodness, we must be having parallel thoughts, here! I just answered the
same thread by quoting from the manual too! Amazing! Course, not quite to
the same degree, but interesting point. (to me at least).
I'm very keen to see some off the shelf IPAS applications come out, but
it's a bit like the mesh library situation: I'll probably only buy them
when I have a project which will pay for them. I'm not quite at the point
where I can buy any software that takes my fancy without being able to cost
justify it. Boring but pragmatic I suppose, probably a lot to do with the
old lady, who keeps me in line when my inherent impulsive spending streak
gets out of hand. I was going to buy Mannequin by Humancad but decided to
wait-and-see instead. Now I'm glad I didn't get it since I've never had a
situation where I couldn't utilize something else less expensive, like
3d-people by Technical Designs. Do you have the Imagetects CD-Rom, and if
so do you consider it worthwhile, or, if not, do you scan your own
textures?
Martin,
I'll bet that IPAS applications will be afforadble enough to buy even if
you don't need them immeaditly. (I hope)
No, I don't have the image cels CD, I scan the ones I need myself, besides
with the r2 CD you shouldn't need Image cels right away.
James
James,
Thanks for the enlightenment. IPAS sounds promising. I will investigate
further.
Dennis Bragg