#Invalid Normal Array
35 messages in this thread
When rendering in 3ds ver. 3, I will occasionally get an error message saying
"invalid normal array." It is common to sample files, new 3ds files and files
which worked fine with version 2. I am not sure of the revision which we are
using (I am new here) but I am sure that others must have had this problem and
gotten through it.
Thanks
Getting a message a problems with normal arrays (like that one) is a sure sign
that your copy of 3ds.exe has somehow become corrupted. One way that can happen
is if you've got a virus on your hard disk that's going around munging
executable files. The first thing to do is scan for viruses, and then
re-install 3ds from the master disks, making sure nothing touches it on the way
onto your disk. If the problem persists after that, contact your dealer for a
new set of master disks.
– G
You should make a macro that just types out this response.
why not being honest: "Hey guys, ever seen a better copy protection?"
This might be fun for programmers and hobby-crack-a-doodles, but a huge pain
for all those HONEST users who want to try a US$ 3500 product in full extent
(not a limited functionality version) before they buy it. Of course there are
always people abusing this system. But hey: you wanna make an omlett you need
to brake eggs! Believe me: that's how SW marketing works in Switzerland, people
buy after they've made sure it's worth the price.
I'm still disappointed about Autodesk Switzerland's answer on why they don't
have student prices over here. They said "this would degrade 3D studio to a
toy"; I'm not sure whether you can find 3DS in the US for $80 in every game or
toy SW section, MOST probably not, right? what a crack-up!
I hope one of you guys can save the few pieces left of my crushed opinion about
Autodesk (maybe only Autodesk Switzerland?; hope you guys talk more
reasonable!)
c ya
-B
maybe switsland should wakeup and design there own software… if your so mifed
about autodesk then do it yourself!<g> as far as i'm conserned a 3500 or 3700
dollar price for 3ds is a bargain anyway you look at it! it does just about
everything right now that wavefront does and probably more with the ipas stuff.
so get real switsland and bit the bullet and just get 3ds you wil not be sorry
at any means.
sherwood – sherwood animations
first: I must apologize to you great programmers at yost. When I read my
message this morning I found it to be somewhat offending. I didn't mean that;
it's just that I was really p****d o*f after the telephone with autodesk
yesterday.
maybe we should change the subject of this thread?
I agree: If you use 3ds on a pro basis, and you can sell your pics and
animations it REALLY is well worth the price! It's the greatest product around!
BUT: Why can't you sell a version for pro's and a version for students? Both
versions could do the same; the only difference would be that one version may
be used commercially and the other only on a private basis! That would open a
new market segment (I'd guarantee a noticable sales increase!), satisfy the
poorer students, get you more customers AND DRASTICALLY reduce the need for an
illegal copy!
Think about that.
– B
hey I reinstalled it after putting on nortorn antivirus. It said that we have
"a strain of java". Is that a virus? I guess I have only heard of
Michealangleo. Anyway no more problems.
*Every time* that "student" version is used for professional purposes (and I'm
SURE there would be plenty of them), it would be another act of piracy. The
only difference between what goes on now, and what would happen then is that
there would be MORE of it (piracy).
Here is my basic idea of a "true full-featured student version" of 3DS:
This version of 3DS (for learning ONLY) would be internally limited to a VERY
small resolution (around 180-200 pixels across) for still images, Preview mode
for animations, save .3ds and .prj files in a proprietary "student" format
only, and NOT be capable of running any (but a small sample) of IPAS routines.
It would be priced very reasonably, so no one would have to steal it. The
documentaion would be complete. This would allow *anyone* to LEARN 3DS to their
heart's content, but make it impossible to really sell anything, although a
"student", armed with the 3DS demo tape, and a couple of small stills and
Preview animations could more than likely land a freelance project and realize
the goal: to BUY 3D Studio! After the sale, Adesk could supply a mail-order
"service" to "unlock" those student .3ds and .prj files so they can be used
with the "Pro" version.
I've always thought that ANYONE who really, really wants to learn something
should be (reasonably) provided the tools for doing so.
Just my .02$…
-Alan Iglesias
ok, your idea sounds good too.
I'm just wondering a bit why nobody from yost or autodesk considers it
necesseray to reply this thread…
About piracy: It would be very easy to track down people using a student
version on a commercial basis. you could also allow full resolution but have a
small descriptor included in the images saying this is the student version. I
don't believe people would go through the trouble trying to remove the string,
especially on animations!
any response?
-B
There are probably lots of ways to make a good "student version" of 3DS,
Balthasar. These were just the first thoughts off the top of my head.
I cannot speak for Gary Yost directly, of course. But I HAVE heard him say that
getting 3DS into the hands of students is a good thing. You can ask him here,
directly, if he has any thoughts about my ideas.
As to Adesk's response to this, you'll have to ask them. Jonas? Could you
relate this message to the Powers That Be for Balthasar?
-Alan Iglesias
Alan,
<< As to Adesk's response to this, you'll have to ask them. Jonas? Could you
relate this message to the Powers That Be for Balthasar? >>
Sure.. Will do.
jonas[adesk]
Thanks, Jonas.
-Alan
>> I'm just wondering a bit why nobody from yost or autodesk considers it
>> necesseray to reply this thread…
Piracy seems to be a very touchy issue with software developers, and I imagine
they must always take a firm stance against it. That really leaves little for
them to discuss. Illegal copies must account for millions (billions??) of
dollars in lost sales, so I can't really blame them.
On the other hand, how was it that AutoCAD became the number 1 CAD package in
the world, while VersaCAD essentially disappeared? How is it that Windows so
strongly dominates the GUI market? I contribute a lot of that success to
people "trying" software before they buy it.
Let's just hope that most people have the conscience and moral fiber to pay for
what they use. I have a real problem with people who steal software, and then
call around looking for technical assistance. If they want to take chances
stealing stuff, they are on their own. Just my thoughts on a very sensitive
topic around here.
I'm a software developer myself. I know about the piracy "problem"; as a matter
of fact I don't consider it a problem, it's opening new perspectives. There are
many ways to make business! 🙂
c ya
-B [INside Corp.]
Hear hear on the "locked" student version. It would help the industry in
general too — it seems 3DS companies usually have to train their new employees
on 3DS from scratch, and it can be months before they get any real work out of
them. A student version would, I'm sure, be "the" thing to have as a student.
Of course, there would go all my training work… *sigh* the sacrifices we make
for progress…
Michele
Michele, you could train folks with the student version just as well as the
present version, I'd reckon. And just think, they would have ALOT more money to
pay you with!<g>
-Alan
I agree Alan….although it's been my personal experience that _any_ software
that gets in to the hands of "Students" is automaticly "Pirated". This is and
has been the rule since computers have been used in schools and universities.
Therefore I like your approach, and with apoligies to balthasar have to remind
him that he may be the exception not the rule when it comes to students and
software.<g>
Murph'
Really. Remember the "Don't help a good boy go bad — Lock your car, take the
keys." advertisment? I sometimes feel that the temptation for abusing a fully
functional version of 3DS may be a little much for some folks. So much better
that the option to pirate doesn't exist. The only thing I *don't* like about
the idea is that it would mean more work for Gary and his people. But maybe it
would be worth it in the long run…
-Alan
Alan, I've sold Autodesk products for over (5) five years now and not once in
those five years has a student ever purchased a full blown legal copy of
AutoCAD or 3D Studio from me upon graduation…nor from the other 5 dealers I
speak to on a regular basis. Much as I would like to encourage the use of
Autodesks products in our Schools and Universities I don't think giving
"Students" a Price Break on full blown copies is a wise decision.
Therefore I would support the "Boys" doing some extra work to put together
Student Versions that could not be Pirated. On the other hand since I've never
had a student purchase a legal copy of software from me I could care less and
wouldn't blame them if they didn't produce such a product.
The Ol' "Well Students Eventually Get Hired" Argument doesn't wash with me
either…Yes they may get hired but they aren't going to be put in charge of
"Purchasing" anytime soon and It's also been my experience that Students that
Pirate Software become Employees that Pirate Software and we all know what that
leads to…Can You Say S a n d r a B o u l t o n.
In any event I'm Highly suspect of "Students" crying for further
discounts…."Sure go ahead….Pull the other one". <g>
Murph'
I liked the idea of somehow restricting or altering the video of the student
versions… that makes sense, given the supposed non-professional-use
condition of purchase. But you can bet the crackers would head for it. And
I've always been leery of student discounts on the basis that they'll be loyal
and recommend its purchase in the future. I think it often only builds loyalty
to companies who give away free stuff, and any company can choose to do that
when they want. I can't count the number of times I've seen university
purchases made on the basis of who will hand out the most stuff at a discount.
It's like the bears at the national parks, always looking for a hand-out, and
just as sad. On the other hand, it's not so much that these newly graduated
students will be authorizing the purchases in the near term – it's that they'll
be making recommendations to someone who makes the decision.
murph,
seems you're only talking about business. To some others there are a few more
values existing in this world; such as thoughts about the future, idealism and
maybe even some altruism. (don't know what it is? look it up. might well be
worth it to enhance your vocabulary with a word becoming more and more
important in todays society!)
My company is doing work this way, and succeeding! My employees and me both
don't earn a lot of money although we could! It's our main principle to do jobs
we have fun doing and not because we want to get rich. (We're software
developers, too). The principle to make as much money as you can is very
strange to me. In this respect I am strongly opposed to the capitalistic
system.
Also, you should not forget that our students are OUR future! The intellectual
elite, so take care of them because they will act the way they were taught to!
If you keep teaching them egoism they won't be able to give this world a better
face and it will be OUR responsibility!
Imagine, this even works without being a jesus-fish!
c ya
-B [INside Corp.]
>>So much better that the option to pirate doesn't exist.<<
That doesn't change a thing! HW locks are virtually crying to be cracked (at
least, that's what some people say); it's not like stealing your car, it's an
INTELLECTUAL challenge although from a lawyers point of view there might be no
difference. Not that I'd like to encourage criminals, but a break in into a
well secured (and insured ;-}) museum might be a masterpiece in planning and
well be somewhat to admire because it's hard to accomplish.
>>"Don't help a good boy go bad — Lock your car, take the keys."<<
Let's get rid of these obnoxious, hippocritical save-the-world SOBs; if you'd
care just a bit more about yourselves and not constantly keep trying to save
others (from going bad..) this world would look a lot better and it would be a
much nicer place to live.
Back here we have this saying: "First you should clean in front of your own
door"
Happy cleaning!
-B [INside Corp.]
My theory has NOTHING TO DO with hardware locks, Balthasar. This program would
NOT BE ABLE (read: the code would not exist) to produce stills or animation of
the quality most clients would consider professionally acceptable. No amount of
"cracking" could get it to produce output 'cause the code woud be MISSING
COMPLETELY. And it would be so inexpensive, even if it WAS hardware-locked,
there would be no economical motivation to produce lock-breaking software (I
imagine people want to be PAID for the "hard-to- accomplish" feats that you
describe), so it probably wouldn't be done.
My statement about "good boys gone bad" had nothing to do with with "saving the
world". Although the humanistic side of me would love to see more folks "do the
right thing", the statement really was about simultaneously protecting the
folks trying to make a living using the full-priced version while still
offering an affordable, legal way for people, who really want to, to learn 3DS
using software that *just will not* provide professionally acceptable output.
-Alan
>> HW locks are virtually crying to be cracked
So basically you are saying that laws are meant to be broken. If there is a
law, it is crying to be broken. I don't think so.
>> it's not like stealing your car
Yeah, right. That's exactly the same. If I lock my car, does that mean I am
just crying to get it broken into? I think not. Your arguments are flawed.
I'm not going to delve into this any more than what I've just said. I've got
better things to do.
Yann
PS: these are my opinions, not those of Autodesk.
PMJI, but I've seen at least three different ways to get around the dongle,
anyway. One is a resident program that intercepts the strobe to the LPT, one
is an .exe patch, and I've even seen a "programmable" dongle. The first and
third have to "learn" your dongle's responses, but each of these is less than
$400. Sounds like the pirating is already going on, to some extent. FWIW
–John
Joseph, the fact that "pirating is going on", is what started this thread.
-Alan
Joe!
Wanna hear something even more obscene!
My daughter attends Nursing classes at the local Technical College and she just
tore down a notice on the student Bulleton Board…The kind with Pins…that
offered a Cracked copy of the Software that Cracks 3D Studio for $25.00….
I'm sure that his freinds don't have to pay for it though! <g>
Murph'
There's a community college in Brisbane that has several student copies of 3DS
that have yet to be pirated. They are all dongled, with the dongles installed
INSIDE the machines. The lab is always monitored by a teacher. Good security.
Michele
Michele,
>> There's a community college in Brisbane <<
Ahhhh…..So what your saying is I should move my dealership to
Brisbane…beleive it or not I've actually considered it.
Actually when I get tired of dealing with Purchasing agents that can't see the
value in on-site support until only after they go mail-order as well as the
host of "Other" fun things dealers get to deal with…I had always hoped I
could get re-certified to fly in your country and Fly Tourists around
site-seeing….
In Fact if you said you knew someone that would Hire me to Fly in your country
I'd probably be opening a combination 3D Studio Parlor & Flying Service in the
next 3 Months! <g>
Splitting my time between doing 3D Artwork and Flying would be my idea of
Heaven.
BTW we all know how necessary those dongles are to Students <g>!
Murph'
James:
>> when I get tired of dealing with Purchasing agents that can't see the
>> value in on-site support until only after they go mail-order as well as
>> the host of "Other" fun things dealers get to deal with…
Lots more! But I've found a permanent solution! Watch this space for all the
details next week! <g>
Greg (keep 'em in suspense) Pyros
Balthasar,
>>> (I'd guarantee a noticable sales increase!), <<<
How many copies are you prepared to purchase?
Murph'
What a question!?
Let me put it this way: I didn't give numbers; the term "noticable" refers to a
statistical figure that, depending on how exact you are doing your book
keeping, might show up in your yearly sales figure or not. "noticeable"
therefore means as much as might be or not.
satisfied? 😉
-B [INside Corp.]
So what your saying is….as a student you have no intention of purchasing a
full blown legal copy of 3D Studio at this time.
What about the Future?
Murph'
I suspect this msg was for someone else.
Fixed it, thanks. (see previous response)