#Vista Pro CDROM – Amiga
80 messages in this thread
Vitrual Reality Labs Inc. (VRLI) is contemplating the creation of a CDROM
version of Vista Pro. This disk will contain all of the goodies that can be
packed on a CDROM.
If you are interested in seeing this product come to light, and are
contemplating the purchase of Vista Pro, should it become available on a CDROM
format, contact VRLI on the Graphics A Forum (you can locate this forum by
running the Find routine from your WinCIM tool bar under the subject of Virtual
Reality).
Let them know that the Amiga market is alive and well and that we too have
CDROM drives – why should all the IBM PC guys get the great deals?
Adib
Adib:
People can also drop me a note in any of the Amiga forums as I check
all of them (except Vendor) daily. "VRLI", "VistaPro" or "Distant Suns"
will catch my eye in the headers and I'll grab any threads with those
keywords in them. VRLI seriously wants to know if the Amiga community
wants VP and DS on CD. A VP CD would have about 3500-4000 landscapes, for
example, along with VP and the utilities. DS would have hundreds of images
as well as the Hubble catalog. Let's hear from you if you think it's a
good idea!
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
I raised my hand for Amiga CD versions of VP and DS in the VRLI forum
yesterday. I do so again, today. I think it would be a wonderful idea.
Stephen Bailey
Sawyer & Bailey Film and Video CIS # 72773,2451
Stephen:
Yep, I saw your hand raised over in the VRLI section. <grin> I think
that the chances are good for an Amiga CD version, though I am not the one
to make the decision. I will forward these messages to VRLI and hopefully
this will encourage them to act.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
Count me in as wanting a CDRom VistaPro!!
Michael:
Consider yourself counted! <grin> I am hoping that VRLI goes for it,
as they would have to get me a CD-ROM drive for my Amiga so I could
properly test it. <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
Clint'
Well if you need a tester! I'm always here!! I think its finally safe
to say that the project I have been testing ( grin ) is finally on its
down hill slide and moving rapidly towards completion.
BTW: How have you been? Haven't seen you in sometime. I'm still
online with Khalid around 4 p.m. CST time most days so stop by if your up!
Michael:
Don't worry, I'll put out a call for my trusty beta testers once I
have something to test. <grin> I've still got 4 active projects, so
squeezing time out to do additional programming is on the order of
squeezing blood out of a turnip, but I've got plenty of practice doing
_that_. <grin>
16:00 CST is in the middle of my 'z' time. I've been getting to bed
around 9:00 PST lately. I am beginning to wonder if I have Vampire in my
ancestery. <grin>
Clint <Chaocity><VRLI>
Clint,
Vampire in your ancestery! Well that explains why the lights dim
everytime I read one of your messages!
Micheal:
It's one of the reasons that I grew a beard! Really hard to shave
when you can't use a mirror. <grin>
Clint <Chaocity><VRLI>
Clint,
har!
Clint,
Count me in on wanting Vista-Pro (Amiga) on a CD-Rom, especially with
access to heaps of 'scapes/anims/tutorials/etc.
Laurie Carroll AKL NZ
Longdistance Autopilot
Laurie:
OK, I'll increment the counter.
Clint <VRLI><Chaocity>
Clint,
If I haven't already mentioned it a couple dozen times, I'd be
interested also. BTW, I have some thoughts about compressing the DEMs so
that perhaps you _could_ fit the entire U.S. on a CD.
Are you going to be in L.A. for the Calfor 'dinner' on the 11th?
Vic:
I knew you would be interested, but you're not a paying customer.
<grin> I plan to be at the CalForum gathering unless I am chained to the
computer. I have some Windows <yeech!> code due in to VRLI on the 7th that
I am still struggling with. Working with Windows makes me appreciate the
Amiga even more! I'll be glad to get back onto VP 4.0 for the Amiga.
Clint <VRLI><Chaocity>
Clint,
re: "Working with Windows makes me appreciate the Amiga even more!"
Amen, bro!!
Laurie,
This message is really intended for all Vistapro users but your's was the last
message in the thread…
I don't know if Clint made this clear, but the current Vistapro CD-ROM for the
PC is ISO-9660 format so the Amiga Vistapro can use all the landscape directly
from it. Cross-grading to the PC product is cheaper than buying a few
landscape sets on floppy disk so if you want more landscapes and can't wait for
an Amiga specific CD-ROM you should consider getting the PC CD-ROM. Think of
it as an Amiga CD-ROM of landscapes (about 3500 DEM files) with some extra
files for the PC!
I don't mean this as a sales pitch — I just want make sure all of you know
that you CAN use the landscapes from the current PC product.
John.
John:
Yes, I mentioned it way back at the start of this thread, though it
may have scrolled by now.
Clint <VRLI><Chaocity>
Clint,
There's a rumor on one of the internet discussion groups that further
development on VistaPro for the Amiga has been halted. Is there any truth
to this rumor?
Also, what can you tell me about a program called the World Construction
Set? ;^)
Jeff H…
Jeff:
Further work on the Amiga version of VistaPro was delayed, not
halted, mainly due to my overburdened schedule. I fully intend to get back
on it as soon as I can clear some of my other projects off of my plate.
GeoForge is also eagerly awaiting my attention, but my immediately paying
projects have to get first cut at my attention in order to pay bills, and
royalty projects get spare time. Given my nature of working about 100
hours or more a week, my "spare time" projects usually get about half of
my total attention.
GeoForge is what is my attempt at a world construction set, and it is
progressing slowly but surely. It will allow you to create entire fractal
planets, zooming into the DEM down to the 30 meter level and beyond. I
don't wan't do get too much into the technical detail until it is ready
for release, but I think that VistaPro and SA users will find it useful.
Clint <VRLI><Chaocity>
Cool! Geoforge sounds Wondermous I gaurentee
John-
Great news on the DEMs… wouldn't it also have been easy to put the
Amiga s/w on it as well as the PC s/w????
-Jonathan
// Amiga online via Autopilot. MAC Quadra 900 and
\\// 486 emulation. E-Mail: jonathanb@delrina.com
Jonathan:
Not quite, the biggest problem is in the accounting and getting
programmers to agree on an equitable royalty split between programs. With
the Amiga executables, there are 5 programmers splitting the royalty,
whereas with the PC there are only 2. Figuring out a ratio of sales
between the PC and Amiga would also be tricky if there was just a single
CD.
Clint <VRLI><Chaocity>
Look at all this interest in and Amiga CDROM of VistaPro!
My friend got the PC version of VistaPro and although he is suppose to be doing
programming at work, he has been doing nothing but playing around with your
software since Wednesday – he has a CDROM at work but not at home.
Well, it looks like an excellent product and I think I am going to put in my
order for the CDROM and the Amiga (yeah the floppy disk version). One question
– the trees you guys create are really nice and these suckers are a pain to
model. Any thoughts on having some sort of DXF or 3DS or LW output for the
trees. I know they would require a lot of polygons, but two or three models
would be real nice and we could clean them up in Modeler if needed. I read the
PC manual and it said that their is no output support for the trees. Comments?
Adib
Adib:
I received over 20 requests for an Amiga CD and have reported that
back to VRLI. I'll reply to the trees part later as monitor is freaking
out and I could lose it momentarily.
Clint <VRLI><Chaocity>
Awaiting your reply on the trees.
The Amiga version doesn't output tree's either Adib. You might try getting
the Shareware prg Vertex. I think it is Vertex that has the ability to
make 3D Tree's in LW,Imagine and DXF format. Ask Margaret Copeland to be
sure as thats who told me about the feature.
Peter, you are just a wealth of knowledge. Sounds like you read A LOT. I will
contact Margaret once I hear what Clint has to say.
Adib:
I have thought about creating trees as 3-D objects. It's one of my
'to do' projects, on hold while we figure out just what we are going to do
with L-System objects for 4.0. It may be part of 4.0 or it could be a
seperate utility in order to keep VP from getting more complex than it is
already. That's still up in the air.
Clint <VRLI><Chaocity>
I'd love to make an L-system program one of these days. Keep me in mind as a
publisher!
What exactly are `L-system' trees or objects? What type are used in VP3?
<<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
(Any render time >0 needs acceleration.)
well either way, I would really be interested in 3D trees. So please keep me
posted.
Add me to the list of folks who'd LOVE to see a CD version of
Vistapro….. Complete with support for the Polhemus VR Helmet
hehehehehehe
Peter:
Which is the Polhemus VR helmet? Is that the one that MegageM has
available? I am planning to put something together to talk to that one
just as soon as I get a few minutes of breathing space.
Clint <VRLI>
The polhemus VR Helmet is the one used for the Dactyl nightmare VR Game as
well as others. Cost about $1500 each
Peter:
That shouldn't take me much more than 10 years to save up for.
<sigh>
Clint <Chaocity><VRLI>
In 10 years they'll probably cost $19.95 at K-Mart
Peter:
Make that 3 years. <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
You can add me to the list of those who think the CD would be a great
idea.
…AutoPilot Engaged…
-Paul-
Paul:
Consider the counter incremented! <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
I'd like to see a CDROM version of VistaPro. I already have the PC version
and it is pretty neat.
-J
Jay:
Have you tried accessing the data on the PC version from the Amiga?
It's all ISO 9660, so you should be able to get at the DEMs OK, even if
the executables are PC. Incrementing counter! <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
I haven't gotten around to hooking the CD-ROM drive up to the Amiga yet.
One of these days… For now I just use sneakernet.
-J
Jay:
I look forward to getting a CD for my Amiga. I definitely would like
to get all of my DEMs onto CD and off of my hard disk. <grin>
Clint <Chaocity><VRLI>
I already said yes in my coupon to a CD-ROM version of Vista and Distant
Suns (own both Amiga diskette versions), but just in case that got
lost…YES! By the way, I don't think it would be necessary to anything
other than load it onto a plain-vanilla ISO-9660 disc. If there's room,
you could even put it in its own subdirectory on a disc carrying the PC
version. I've seen that done with other product. One disc, one package,
reference to dual versions. Cheap. What'syagot ta lose? I'll buy one! But
please offer me a registered owner's discount! 🙂
— Ron Legro / MILWAUKEE WI USA via AUTOPILOT
["Phun, phun, phun on the Infobahn…"]
Ron:
As I never get to see that database, I'll add you in here as well.
<grin> One of the problems of just adding an Amiga directory is that there
are quite a few megabytes of FLI animations which couldn't be played on an
Amiga. The Amiga version will need its own Anim7's. I am certain that
there will be an "upgrade" available.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint:
You could always add in FLI support to the Amiga version, so that both
versions are compatible. Or, going the other way Anim7 support could (?)
be added to the PC version.
Oh, BTW, count me in on an Amiga CDROM, either single platform, or multi.
// -Mike Schiller
\X/ AMIGA! On AutoPilot in sunny Fort Lauderdale
Mike:
The problem with adding FLI support to the Amiga is that VGA uses
chunky pixels while AGA uses 8 bit planes. Converting on the fly would
result in rather slow anims. It would be better to do Anim7's that the
Amiga could use right away. Probably do a mixture of HAM and HAM8 so
everyone could view them.
Clint <VRLI>
You could always add FLI support to the CD32 disk (hehehe)….
Count me in on an Amiga CD too; for the way you guys treated us Amiga
owners with DS 5.0, I was starting to wonder if VRLI still acknowledged
our existance….
Mr. C (Amiga: Muerte O Suerte?)
Mr C:
Mike Smithwick does all of the programming for Distant Suns on the
Mac and Amiga, and now the Windows version as well, as the Windows
programmer left to seek other opportunities. It may seem that he ignores
the Amiga, but I assure you, he ignores the other platforms just as much.
<grin> Almost all of the programming done for VRLI is done as freelance on
a royalty basis, there is no in-house programming staff to speak of. I
have my own company, Chaocity, which contracts with VRLI for tech support
here on CIS, so I am not actually an employee of VRLI.
That reminds me, I need to get a copy of DS 5.0 as I am still running
4.2 myself. <grin> No, VRLI doesn't think the Amiga is dead, just blame it
on overworked programmers.
Clint <Chaocity><VRLI>
Okay, I'll buy the "overworked programmers" part (I hope they get the
real-time clock fixed soon, as well as the screen problems); now, who do I
blame for the "Cyberflights" video, which was hawked in _VRLI_Times_ as
"produced using eight Amiga 4000 computers", and when I get the tape, the
box only says "eight high-speed computers"; and _worse_, a coupon for
Vista Pro for the PC falls out….
Mr. C (Amiga: Muerte O Suerte?)
Mr C:
Cyberflights was produced on 8 Amiga 4000's. I am drawing a blank on
the name of the person who did it, I'll have to ask Dan Wolf, he will
remember, as he has done quite a few FractalPro animations as well. The
box layout designer did the wording on the box, while marketing did the
newsletter. I imagine that the wording was originally "eight Amiga
4000's", and then the layout designer came back with "what's an Amiga
4000?" "It's a high speed computer." "Ah! OK."
Packaging is done by a company called "Software Packaging" who does
all of the packaging and shipping of VRLI products on all platforms. Their
only exposure to Amigas is that they have a 500 on which to test their
duplicated floppies when doing QA.
Clint <VRLI><Chaocity>
PMFJI Clint, Whayt is/are Cyberflights???
Thanx
Actually, Clint, there are a few PD readers out there that will let an
Amiga handle a FLI/FLC animation directly. Nevertheless, I'd prefer a disc
carrying the IFF-ANIM format as a substitute or in addition to.
I was thinking of Knowledge Media's small collection of multimedia
CD-ROMs, which contain common and specific data files for a variety of
platforms and then also subdirectories with executables for half a dozen
platforms, including Amiga, UNIX, Mac, PC and Atari. The Amiga
subdirectory on the KM disc I've got actually carried an early commercial
Amiga multimedia program, no longer marketed directly. The disc worked
like a charm.
— Ron Legro / MILWAUKEE WI USA via AUTOPILOT
["Phun, phun, phun on the Infobahn…"]
Ron:
As I mentioned to Mike, the conversion overhead from VGA to AGA
(chunky pixel to bitplane) will slow down the animation considerably. I
would like to put together a coverter to convert from VANIM to Anim7 and
back, VANIM to FLI and back, and Anim7 to FLI and back. I will try to come
up with something like that in time for 4.0 and the CD.
Clint <VRLI>
Your conversion utility idea is wonderful; sounds challenging, though.
The other thing is to consider putting the Amiga-native anims in one of
the newer proprietary modes that are faster and smoother than ANIM7 and
provide freely distributable players. Maybe ClariSSA, for instance, or
Magic Lantern. Granted, of course, that ANIM7 is more of a standard, and
that people may want to disassemble anims for tweaking or analysis.
The other thing is, I'd opt for IFF24-level anims, if there is room. They
can always be converted downward to AGA or whatever, or maybe there'd be
room for more than one set.
That's what's so great about standards: There are so many to choose
from… 🙂
— Ron Legro / MILWAUKEE WI USA via AUTOPILOT
["Phun, phun, phun on the Infobahn…"]
Ron:
I would prefer to use a PD format like Anim7, so everyone could
manipulate the anims if they wanted. I assume the proprietary anim makers
have utilities to turn Anim7 into their formats, so people who want to use
their players can get the benefit from them. IFF24 will use typically 3x
as much disk space as AGA, so only a third as much total animation could
be included. We'll see how much good animation material is available at
the time, and if we can squeeze some 24 bit anims on the disk we will. I
will be putting out a call for anims a few months before we make the
disk.
Clint <VRLI><Chaocity>
I've been getting DS & VP for years and many upgrades (since V wasn't P),
and as soon a there are DS and VP CD-ROM's, I'll snatch them right up.
. . . . JimDoc, on AutoPilot
Jim:
OK, consider yourself counted!
Clint <VRLI>
Yes on an Amiga CD ROM VP and DS.
-Jonathan
// Amiga online via Autopilot. MAC Quadra 900 and
\\// 486 emulation. E-Mail: jonathanb@delrina.com
Jonathan:
Adding in your vote!
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
I haven't bought VistaPro, yet, but a CD like that sounds like a great
idea to me!
Robb
Robert:
I'll count your vote anyway. <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
A CD-ROM version of Vista Pro would be Great.
….John
John:
That's 14 from the various parts of CIS. I don't know how many other
responses that VRLI got from their mailer, but it's a lot more interest
than I had imagined that there would be.
Clint <Chaocity><VRLI>
I'll vote in favor of VRLI Amiga CD's.
-Richard
Richard:
CD++. <grin>
Clint <Chaocity><VRLI>
Clint,
I requested this CD disk before you even had a clone version of the
program. Not only am I anxious for the disk, I feel it is absolutely
essential. BTW, I showed a video I made using VistaPro to my nephew. I let
him know there was a clone version but getting tapes made would be a lot more
difficult on a clone.
———————————————-Don- via Whap!
Not entirely true since the PAR has been released in the IBM realm getting
Animations to video tape is alot easier on the Clone now.
Peter,
The PAR may make it easier to get IBM anims to tape but at what price?
Also the problem with clone based systems is many stuff runs under windows
which is a real cludge. The stuff that doesn't run under windows is a pain to
use if you're used to the ease of the Amiga.
———————————————-Don- via Whap!
Donald:
When I got my Wren (660 meg HD) back in 1990, it was with the idea of
doing a CD version of Distant Suns. We even went so far as getting a quote
from Metadigm for gathering and scanning astronomical images, but VRLI
decided that the time wasn't quite right yet. I think that they are more
likely to go ahead with CDs now that they have an idea how it is all done
and just how much it will cost.
With the PAR, PCers can put animations to tape pretty easily, but it
still is pretty costly. Still a lot easier on the Amiga.
Clint <VRLI><Chaocity>
Clint,
I hope you guys DO go ahead with the CD Rom(s). I'm looking forward to
them.
Yeah, I don't know much about the IBM version of PAR but it still must be
used with what I consider a cludgy machine. I don't need to spend another 2
Grand to get my anims to tape.
———————————————-Don- via Whap!
Donald:
I know what you mean. I have seldom had problems using or programming
my Amiga, however, my 486 gets a constant stream of swear words thrown at
it, and I swear nightly that I am going to throw it out the window!
Clint <Chaocity><VRLI>
You have my vote for a VistaPro CD as well Clint. Hope it becomes a
reality soon!
// John – (Being artistic via AutoPilot)
\X/ Mercury@ins.infonet.net
John:
It's virtually certain to become a reality. <grin> Considering that I
am likely to do most of the work on it, it probably won't be available
before spring 95, as I am still completely swamped with other projects at
the moment.
Clint <VRLI><Chaocity>
Sounds interesting Adib.
lets see if they do it and give a CDROM version of Vista Pro. By the way how
are the IM/RT tapes going? have you noticed that you can hear someone que the
instructor on the audio track? It cuts in and out.
At first I thought I was hearing things, but the voice indicates what should be
covered next. The person in charge of the audio on that tape needs to
re-evaluate the method he/she used to record the sound. It looks like they
used Panasonic AG1960's (the video jumps an instant between transitions – a
tell tale sign of the 1960) which have hi-fi audio capability – I don't get it.
Anyway, IM/RT does not look as scary as it did at first. In fact, dare I say I
can now use it rather effectively. I still haven't touched morphing on it
(some day!).
Yea I noticed the second voice since I watched the IM R/T tapes with
Headphones on since my lady was sleeping. Try a Warp Morph first, they are
EASY and fun. I've yet to try a full motion morph myself.
I noticed it with headphones also. I will try the warp morph, I guess its
better to learn how to walk before you try to run!
Adib
Yeah and besides Warp Morphs are ALOT of fun!