#PAR Shell within 3DS3
16 messages in this thread
Can anybody tell me how to shell out to the PAR from within 3ds3?
I tried setting CFIG386 3ds.exe -maxreal 24576 (I've got 32 megs).
I'm running 3dShell.exe
TIA
Steve Vivid Animations
Steve:
Shelling out to the PAR was available with the early versions of the PAR
software. V1.09 was the last version I had any luck shelling out of 3DS to use.
With Pyros Pictures PAR utility PARctrl you can operate an IPAS within 3DS to
control your PAR with similar player options to the PAR interface. The one
thing I found that is different with this utility is that single frame advance
completely blacks my video monitor between frames. When I use the PAR
interface the single frame advance is an instantaneous advance – no black
flash. Maybe GregP will read this …
Bob
Bob:
>> [PARCTL] single frame advance completely blacks my video monitor between
>> frames. When I use the PAR interface the single frame advance is an
>> instantaneous advance – no black flash. Maybe GregP will read this…
We just figured out how to play the PAR by hacking the code, there is no
specification from DPS as to how to do this. Maybe they'll develop one…
Greg Pyros
Greg:
/_______________________From your message________________________\\
We just figured out how to play the PAR by hacking the code, there is no
specification from DPS as to how to do this. Maybe they'll develop one…
__________________________________________________________________
Is there any way to script the PAR playback? Do you know anything about the
installation of the PAR MCI drivers? I couldn't get the driver to show an
additional device in the Media Player. I could see the setup window for the
driver but it was all greyed out, couldn't chose a thing, help! Hey, where's
Brick?
Bob
Bob:
>> Hey, where's Brick?
Probably at NAB…
Greg Pyros
Bob:
I seem to remember Brick promising PAR scripting features a while back — in
fact, I expected them with the 1.5 release — maybe they're waiting for 2.0,
but I could really use 'em myself!
Dave
Dave:
/_______________________From your message________________________\\
I seem to remember Brick promising PAR scripting features a while back — in
fact, I expected them with the 1.5 release — maybe they're waiting for 2.0,
but I could really use 'em myself!
__________________________________________________________________
That's what I thought. Hey, any chance you've got the MCI PAR driver loaded
and working in Windows? If so I need help getting it installed buddy.
Bob
Bob:
Well, I've been meaning to, but hadn't gotten around to setting up the MCI
drivers — but, since you asked, I thought I'd try.
I made a directory for it (I used C:\PARMCI) and unzipped it into the dir. I
started Windows and opened the "Drivers" section of the Control Panel. I
selected "Add", and then "updated or unlisted driver". I gave the dialog my
C:\PARMCI dir, and selected the "(MCI) DPS Personal Animation Recorder" object
(the only one it offers, of course). It presents you with the setup screen,
but there's nothing to do yet but hit "OK". I selected "OK" to get out of the
"Drivers" dialog, and then fired up the Media Player. I was able to open drive
H: (my PAR drive) and access my ANI files. Then, if you pick the "Device"
pull-down and select "Configure…" you get the dialog that allows setting fps,
frames/fields, and WAV file association. Then, I just hit the play button!
At this point, you can delete the PARMCI (or whatever you use) directory. While
we're on the subject of Windows drivers, esp video drivers, it really ticks me
off that none of the Video for Windows drivers, etc report their version number
in the ControlPanel/Drivers dialog — I'm always getting things that have SOME
version of the VFW drivers, but I never know if they're newer or older than the
ones installed — and most of the time, the darned install programs don't even
bother to check, they just go ahead and copy older files over newer!
How's things? By the way, there's a new-ish XTC live CD (import) called "Drums
and Wireless" full of BBC recordings (from "White Music" to things from
"Oranges and Lemons")– you can get it through CD Connection (they advertise in
CompuServe magazine — you reach them via modem). I order from them a lot,
they've got good prices and nice search capabilities.
Later,
Dave
Dave:
Thanks for your installation description, I think I got close but I'll have to
try it again on Monday. I got through the Windows control panel part where I
added the drivers as you did. When I fired up the Media Player I thought I
would see the device list include the Par MCI driver right away. If I
understand you correctly, I should be able to open the PAR drive and select an
.ani file which would THEN allow me to see the PAR MCI driver when I pick the
DEVICE pull-down menu. At this time I should be able to fill in all of the
criteria for FPS, fields and .wav association, right? I am hoping that this is
all there is to it. I still think it would be nice for the DPS folks to
officially upload the drivers with a brief readme file to keep idiots such as
myself on track for a smooth install.
I hear what you are saying about the VFW drivers, they come with everything
now. The same is becoming true with WIN32s stuff. I swear installing
Photoshop hosed my favorite CADD program MicroGDS due to different versions of
associated Win32s files. I have no idea how to get this one sorted out. I
tried re-installing MicroGDS but that didn't change anything, still won't fire
up. 🙁
A couple years ago I got the CD Conection catalog but I lost track of them.
How does one get to them via modem? Do they have a Compuserve 'GO' word? BTW,
I have had a package sitting here with your name on it for several months. I
can't believe that I haven't sent it off. Harrass me via e-mail until it
arrives in your mailbox.
Thanks for the info,
Bob
Bob:
Sorry it's taken so long to reply, but I stayed out of the office all weekend,
and then had TONS to do Monday & Tuesday, plus a big headache (allergies)!
You don't really NEED to select the PAR under the "Devices" pull-down in the
Media Player. I just selected File/Open and picked the H: drive (my PAR drive
letter). It gave me the dir listing, and I opened a dir and there were my ANI
files. You could set the "List files of type" entry in the Open dialog to see
only DPS PAR files, but not really any need. After you select an ANI file, the
pick the "Device" pull-down and click on "Configure…" (the DPS Personal
Animation Recorder item should be on the device pull-down with a checkmark next
to it). There, you get the box to set up WAV files, etc.
WRT Win32s, I THINK all you have to do is delete everything in the
Windows/System/Win32s directory — THEN reinstall MicroGDS. They were probably
too nice, and made their setup routine only install Win32s if it didn't find it
there already. Does MicroGDS run under NT? I just installed that too, but
haven't hardly looked at it yet….
Call CD Connection at 1 408 985-8982 (modem). One nice feature is that you
don't "log in" w/ name and password until you decide to place an order — so
you get in straight to looking for music. If there are older commonish titles
that you want to duplicate in CD form stuff you've got on vinyl, they've got
pretty good prices (like when I went to get the first four Squeeze CD's).
They're not too quick though, as they don't actually stock things themselves,
but rather order from their distributers exactly what YOU order, WHEN you
order. Still, I've used them quite a bit. When I ordered Drums and Wireless
the first time, I got a note that said they couldn't get it at this time, but
that as long as it remains in their catalog, I could try re-ordering (they
don't maintain back-orders). I re-ordered it the same day, and in two weeks,
it came!
Dave
Dave:
I've been having one of those '8 million things to do and only time enough for
6 million' kinda weeks. I haven't even fired up the PAR all week, so now I've
got even more info and I should be guaranteed to get the windows driver running
smoothly, right?
/_______________________From your message________________________\\
WRT Win32s, I THINK all you have to do is delete everything in the
Windows/System/Win32s directory — THEN reinstall MicroGDS.
__________________________________________________________________
I'll try this out but I'm wondering how it will effect my other programs,
namely Photoshop.
/_______________________From your message________________________\\
Does MicroGDS run under NT?
__________________________________________________________________
Yep, mGDS was designed for NT yet runs under Windows as well. It supports OLE
2.0 and it actually works. We are gearing up for migration of most of our
offices to mGDS on WindowsNT. Our NYC office is going to be the first to be
running NT client with mGDS. I'll continue with WFW until we get ourselves an
NT server here in Princeton. Hopefully, this server will become functional at
the same time R5 arrives.
Thanks for the CD Connection info. Hey, what are you listening to these days?
I am getting pretty bored with what I've been hearing on the radio of late.
The best thing I've heard recently, actually the best thing I've seen and heard
was the show "Stomp" in NYC. I had one of those moments whilst reading the
Playbill where a circle was closed, a mystery solved, a cycle completed. Over
ten years ago my brother brought back from London a gift for me, "Just One
Cornetto" by Pookiesnackenburger. (On the DIY Rhino collection now.) This
song is one to jolt you awake and make you smile, it opens with an inquiry
"What we gonna play Luke?" Well, the Playbill described the producer of "Stomp"
as one Luke Cresswell the same Luke who lead Pookiesnackenburger back in the
80's. I've been wanting to see this show for a number of years, glad I finally
saw it. Come out east and give me an excuse to see it again.
Bob
Steve:
>> Can anybody tell me how to shell out to the PAR from within 3ds3?
I assume that you mean PAR.EXE? Their memory managers are incompatible, I
don't know of anyone doing this successfully.
But that's why we wrote PARCTL.PXP (A PAR controller IPAS) to run from within
3D Studio. E-mail me if you want further information!
Greg Pyros
Greg,
Thanks for the info. it's a real shame they're incompatible. I supposed that's
good for the IPAS guys eh? <g>
Steve
Steve:
>> Thanks for the info. it's a real shame they're incompatible. I supposed
>> that's good for the IPAS guys eh?
Not really, I would have preferred full functionality from someone else! We
include PARCTL.PXP basically as a freebie with PAROUT.IXP, which is the "big"
program in the set, and the main reason people buy it!
Greg Pyros
I would like some info on the Par Ipas package.
I'm also seriously considering a Razor or Premiere App to complement my system.
I have your book Inside 3D Studio, use it, and value your opinion enough to ask
if you happen to have any recommendations for a budding freelancer? 🙂
TIA
Steve
Steve:
>> I would like some info on the Par Ipas package.
Check your e-mail!
>> Razor or Premiere App…any recommendations?
Personally, I prefer Razor Pro over Premier, but I'm not a "Pro" on either
package, I've only done a few projects with both of them.
Greg Pyros