#trueSpace wish list.
16 messages in this thread
While we're on the subject of utilities that enhance trueSpace, I'd like to
repeat my list of additions that I think would make TS "the best program in the
world" ™:
1. special effects (well on our way but closer integration with TS would be
nice)
2. object morphing
3. Support for 3D stereoscopic devices such as the 3D-MAX shutter glasses.
(brace yourself <g>) I can't begin to tell you how incredible this would be
(IMHO) to have the full power of trueSpace (interface, functions, etc) and be
able to use it in true 3D mode. The perspective modeling is great and the
solid-render mode in 2.0 sounds like it will be another giant step in the right
direction (ie. closer to reality [ugh]) but stereoscopic modeling would be an
unbelievable experience that very few people could resist. These are the main
three items I'd like to see in trueSpace in the near future but I'd settle for
just this last one. The other two features could be added by 3rd parties but
this one is up to the people at Caligari to implement. Please, please,
please…
Btw, I recently bought the 3D-MAX glasses ($179 US) and the software is
incredible. Actually, I haven't been able to use them because my video card
isn't *yet* supported (ATI mach64) but I have been reading the manual and
playing with the software in non-stereoscopic mode. This is some cool stuff –
11 disks and a CD-ROM with 3d images, demo programs, games, utilities, etc.
They even sent me two more CDs: a fully functional version of _Descent_ that
supports the glasses (amazing!) and the Criterion 3D-MAX Real-time 3D Pack with
a couple of demos and a game with the coolest graphics I've ever seen (which
also runs in stereoscopic mode). If you've seen the Criterion demos such as
DosView, CyberStreet, etc. you'd know the high-quality graphics they use – the
3d stereoscopic display just makes it all the more realistic and interactive.
Adding this to trueSpace would be well worth the effort (according to the
manual it's not that difficult a task and the benefits would be great). To
contact one of the main distributors of the 3D-MAX glasses (UDAC), email
sales@threed-max.udac.se or phone +46 18 18 2875 (Sweden).
– Shane.
I saw those 3D glasses and Descent at COMDEX. They were incredible, much better
than those "virtual reality" helmets which aren't really virtual reality, just
a monitor and speakers that you wear on your head. The 3D glasses were as good
as the Captain Eo movie at Epcot.
Stephan
<< The 3D glasses were as good as the Captain Eo movie at Epcot.>>
I finally got to see that "chestnut". If the MAXX glasses are that good – cool!
Randy
Hello Shane, Those 3D glasses sound really cool. I have the same video card you
have, when will they support our ATI Mach 64? Where did you buy them?
I think it would be awesome to model and animate in trueSpace in true3D
<VBG>!!!
Good suggestion,
Michael Lallemont
Hi Michael,
>> Those 3D glasses sound really cool.
They are ! Everyone's been giving them good reviews. Although I have yet to
try the 3D-MAX ones, I do have another pair and with some skill and a little
luck, you can make very impressive true-3D scenes. I bought the 3D-MAX ones
because of all the great software that comes with them (the other pair only
came with a shareware viewer!) and because they (supposedly) have less flicker.
I'm selling my other ones (like-new condition) so if anyone's interested,
please send me a note via c-mail.
>> I have the same video card you have, when will they support our ATI Mach 64?
Well, how about today !! <g> I've heard that they've just finished a new
version of the driver software that should support the mach64 and after a
little testing, they'll be sending it out to those who need it. I bet that if
you send in your order now and mention your video card, they could send you the
glasses with the new driver in a few weeks.
>> Where did you buy them?
Same place I mentioned in my first message: UDAC in Sweden. The manufacturer
(Kasan) is based in Sweden (I think) and I don't believe there are any
distributors in North America yet. You can email UDAC via the Internet at
sales@threed-max.udac.se or phone +46 18 18 2875. I faxed in my order but I
don't seem to have that number around. They have a Web site with a whole bunch
of info so check http://www.ThreeD-MAX.udac.se/.
>> I think it would be awesome to model and animate in trueSpace in true3D
<VBG>!!!
Yep !
– Shane.
ps. Don't tell anyone but I too like to blow up (computer) objects <g>. Soon
after I got Imagine, I lost count of how many times I'd used the explode effect
on the cow object (hey, it was the only one included <bg>).
Hey Shane!
If I may be so bold as to add to your wish list, disrtibuted rendering sure
would be nice!
Hi Doug,
>> If I may be so bold as to add to your wish list, disrtibuted rendering sure
would be nice!
Sure – I don't mind. I'd even _agree_ with you if I had more than one computer
<g>.
– Shane.
That's already on our "list"..
What about "automatically aligning objects"?
Right now, I am copying and pasting the coordinates from the object information
window to achieve a proper alignment. Something like the Corel Draw Alignment
Box (only in 3D) would be great.
Another thing:
I am missing a "primitive wireframe"-mode for faster arranging of complex
scenes.
To avoid delays while moving and transforming objects there already is the
option to alter the time for displaying objects while moving (it's called
"Zeitschwelle" in the german version, in the Settings-Dialog).
But when moving a camera or spotlight (linked with a camera-view-window),
redrawing still takes several seconds on more complex scenes.
And finally, redrawing of complex scenes should be interruptable.
tS should start to redraw then after xx (user defined) idle seconds.
While I am at it:
A "make default" button for several settings (Render options, Directory paths
for matlibs, objects etc.) is desperately needed. I would guess that 80% of non
bitmapped backgrounds are pitch black, not gray.
Man, how I hate to adjust the background color each time I launch tS… <g>
Bye,
Marc
>>Man, how I hate to adjust the background color each time I launch tS… <<
Tell me about it!
Rob
Well, hopefully you can wait a month or so..
Howz about a way to tell which camera is giving each view? Sometimes when you
have them so close and you keep moving the veiws around….
I'm not sure if I understand you correctly when you say which camera is giving
each view.. Do you mean like on the title of the window it should say something
like "Camera2 view", etc.? For that matter, it could be any object (ie, lights
etc.) that you could be looking through. Should say the object's name, whatever
it happens to be, right?
I'll mention that..
Here's another wish.
If you want a view of objects in an architectural interior, often one needs a
view where the verticals are vertical. This is – just – achievable in TS by
setting the camera way back, then zooming. But the resulting focal length is
too long, and the image is flattenned. Or, the image with corrected verticals
is too low on the screen, often half off it. If course one can rotate, but then
the verticals tilt.
The photographer's plate camera gets over this by having the lens and the plate
on independently adjustable planes. TS could easily do it if images could be
'wound' up and down the screen without altering any of the angles of view.
Just a thought. Its an awesome program and after a moment or two of panic an
easy one to learn. After struggling with Alias Upfront for months a joy to use.
|->The photographer's plate camera gets over this by having the lens and the
plate on independently adjustable planes. TS could easily do it if images could
be 'wound' up and down the screen without altering any of the angles of
view.<-|
Hi David! I've inquired about something like this before, but never got an
answer! Actually, my problem is that most of my work with tS is stills for
illustration work, and most of these are portrait format. Currently, there is
no way to preview a scene on-screen to see how the final image will be cropped
by the program when rendering, and there isn't an easy way to figure it out.
While I'm setting up a scene, I have to constantly test-render to disk using
the aspect ratio of my final output, which is very time-consuming. For your
concern of keeping the verticals parallel, you could render the scene to file
much higher than you need (with the camera's axis parallel to the floor) and
then crop to the image you need. This would also be much easier (albeit a
kludged approach <g>) if there was a way to preview your disk output
on-screen.
Does anyone know if the ability to crop on-screen is included in ver2.0?
…Ken
Ken
->For your concern of keeping the verticals parallel, you could render the
scene to file much higher than you need (with the camera's axis parallel to the
floor) and then crop to the image you need>-
I agree this is possible, but the file size would be huge, one could not see
what the result was on-screen (as you note), and I am still limited to very
long focal lengths.
What would also be highly useful is a wireframe save-to-file option with hidden
line removal. I worked with another 3D prog beofre that did this. It is so
quick and one can get the image right before committing to rendering time. Also
means that plans can be output in line form, rather than modelled as Ts insists
on doing them now.
But these are (relatively) minor quibbles…