#RIB out IPAS?
22 messages in this thread
Is anyone out there writing an IPAS routine to output RIB files for
RenderMan?
I'm still convinced it's the best renderer in the industry for photorealism,
and though I found a 3D package that uses RenderMan as it's renderer AND will
read 3DS files, it unfortunately runs only on the NextStep OS.
Thanks for any info,
Ron Lussier 71501,1245
Since RIB files don't really like to have triangle-meshes as input, and prefer
bicubic patches, it's not really practical to do. How well does the
NextStep-based system do with imported 3DS files and Rman?
– G
Well I just downloaded an ASCII to RIB converter, but it only grabs the mesh
data (though that seems to work OK – but no smoothing – is that the problem
with polygonal data in Rman?). Actually it tried and failed to get Camera
position correctly, but no light positions or colors, and the objects seem to
be re-oriented(?).
I haven't seen the "SolidThinking" package yet, I don't have access to a
NextStep system (they apparently have a demo). But their new 2.2 version added
reading of 3DS files, I'll have to inquire about exactly what data gets
translated. I asked them about any possibility of an NT future, but haven't
heard back yet. If you want I can forward the feature list they sent me. When I
talked to them they said they think their modeller is better than 3DS
(b-splines, bezier, and NURBS!), but 3DS's animation is better. (3.0 is
supposed to have IK and "full" NURBS modelling support.)
For anyone interested, here's the info I have (I'd love to hear any feedback
from hands on use) :
SolidThinking 2.2
Gestel Italia
PHONE +39-444-964974 FAX +39-444-964984
– Ron
Smoothing of their "points/polygons" data structure is extremely difficult, and
tri-meshes only are importable as points/polgyons. We put quite a bit of work
into the problem in 1992 and couldn't get a result that did Rman justice.
– G
I got a bit more info from the SolidThinking folks, they say they read
_everything_ in the 3DS file, I'm trying to get a NextStep system set up at
work to look at their demo. I'll let you know what else I find out about it.
– Ron
Gary,
The DXF->RIB converter that comes with Renderman for the PowerMac gets its job
done but the results are pretty bad once you get them into Renderman. No smooth
surfaces, just hard edges 🙁
ana /krazy images
I'm not surprised. I don't think that Rman can smooth points/polys
datastructures.
– G
I have a 3DS to RIB convertor for PCs on my BBS, the Rendering Plant
(816-525-8362). I haven't tested it yet. There is a renderman renderer
executable available from the MacroModel people, they used to sell it in a
package with MM.
Jim
Well, I just downloaded the ASCII to RIB converter, but it only grabs the
mesh data. Actually it tried and failed to get Camera position correctly, but
no light positions or colors. Bummer! I LOVE RenderMan, and I'm mostly WRITING
RIB files (ouch) just to check out shaders, lighting and rendering (I have the
MacroModel version).
Let us know if you see anything else on your board to do this.
Thanks,
– Ron
>>Let us know if you see anything else on your board to do this.
Will do. BTW, some times the programmer will respond to an enthusiastic
software tester. If the guy put his name on there, and you feel like it's close
but needs work, maybe contacting him will get the important things fixed.
Especially since you're so familiar with RIB code.
Keep in touch –
Jim
I have a program called Digital Arts, that renders using renderman. I havn't
tried to move files over from 3ds yet. I don't know if Digital Arts is still
around, last I heard they were trying to port to SGI. Ed Kellerman would
probably be the guy to write the IPAS you were looking for (as I have been as
well).
Andrew,
Digital Arts was bought out by Lyon Lamb in Burbank. They did port it
to SGI…I saw it run. The program is in mothballs currently. Call Mr. Film
in Venice, California. They are the only ones I know of who still use it for
production.
Sanford
Sanford,
Actually, I believe Digital Arts was always owned by Lyon Lamb.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
>> I believer Digital Arts was always owned by Lyon Lamb <<
10/4, Bruce Lyon and Phil Beffrey as joint owners. Phil Beffrey (ex-pixar)
wrote the code and is floating around Hollywood somewhere, I talked to him when
3DS came out with IPAS as I was interested in the shaders, and he gruffly said
"DGS is not dead". <g>
John
Jim,
>> I have a 3DS to RIB convertor for PCs on my BBS, the Rendering Plant
(816-525-8362).
Any idea what the filename is? I logged on, and couldn't find anything that
matched this description.
Thanks,
John
>>Any idea what the filename is? I logged
>>on, and couldn't find anything that
>>matched this description.
I don't recall, but try this at the prompt:
Z;RIB | RENDERMAN | PIXAR;A
That will search all directories for any of those three words in the
description. Should find it in a jiffy!
Thanks
Jim
Jim.
'Found the file; thanks!
John
>>'Found the file; thanks!
You're welcome! I ought to upload that here to CI$ – thanks for taking the time
to find it yourself, I've been too frantic lately…
Jim
PMJI,
Say Jim, Did you ever get any new additions in the way of animals to your
current collection of Meshes?
Preferable Lions and Tigers and Bears….Oh My! <BG>
Murph'
>>Did you ever get any new additions in
>>the way of animals to your current
>>collection of Meshes?
Organic stuff is just really hard to find. I don't have much of that, sorry…
Jim
Jim,
What ever happened to those GIFs you had of animal motion on TRP?
Mark
>>What ever happened to those GIFs
>>you had of animal motion on TRP?
I thought it would be a neat thing to have. I figured out it would take a while
to do it right, and since no one really seemed that interested, I shelved the
project until later…
Jim