CompuServe Thread

<< (I'm particularly interested on details about the timing/availability of your book and the modeler). >> Please E-Mail Adam Godfrey @ CIS 73544,3103. << One thing I can say (just based on what I've read): having someone write about how to USE a modeler is the missing piece that you at least seem to be addressing. >> I agree, there are no books entirely dedicated to this subject. There's some very fine information in the NRP books, Michele B's books, etc….but I've never seen a book dedicated to modeling, especially spline modeling. I'd like to write books on several modeling systems that I know about, including 3DS. They could probably make some money. Then again, these days I'm not motivated by money, and if I EVER finish this book, I probably won't feel like doing another <g>. It's tough & tedious. BILL

David, << Bill, Like I said before, your model was nice. But I have to say I _hate_ the interface screen of Real 3D. It looks way too cluttered. There are about 100 buttons in about 10 different floating palettes. Please tell me this is better than it looks. >> I agree, it *looks* terrible. But it *works* well. That interface was designed by me, for me. You can design your own anyway that you like. I can't get into this now, but for me it works. It is deceptive to look at, as it probably doesn't work like you think. I believe John Stetzer has been using it some recently. He might comment. He might hate it too <g> John ? BILL

David, Hmmm. I gave you a lousy answer. I'm just spread real thin with this book project, etc.. Anyway, You have complete control over every tool's icon….size, shape, color/no color, what's "printed" on it, how they're grouped, where they go, etc.. Or whether they're there at all. Personally, I've always had mixed feelings regarding fixed interfaces vs configurable floating interfaces. There are strengths & weaknesses with both. Personally, I want as much screen real-estate as possible for viewports, I don't like long complex pull-downs, and I like to touch the keyboard as little as possible. Windows or Motif-style interfaces are nice, but managing all the windows to prevent intrusion over the workspace can be a problem, too. So, I want a one-click method readily available on-screen, but I don't want to interfere with viewport space. When you create banks of icons, even when they're much larger and no matter how they're labeled, it doesn't help me much 'cause I'm about blind <g>. Believe it or not, all those little buttons you see are just a *fraction* of the program's tools & functions. So, in consideration of all of the above, I created the banks with tiny buttons to conserve space. But, I left the bank window's title bar toggled on. When you run the cursor over a button, it's text description is displayed in the title bar. So, I just quickly run the mouse across the buttons in a bank, and observe the readable text in the title bar, 'til I get what I'm looking for. With me, this has proven to be faster than navigating the extensive pull-down menus, and minimizes me having to re-orient my body to get at the keyboard to use hot keys. The icons at the bottom pop-up full-screen viewports and other modal windows for color, camera control, rotational controls, etc.. The other buttons are custom. You can create combinations or brand new programming language functions and assign them to a button of your design, if you feel so inclined. So, those are a few I'm working on getting implemented. You can also save interface designs, and load in as necessary for a specific task, if you like. So, this is what I've found that works best for me for modeling. Believe it or not, it took a long time to design that monster. I should have known some people would hate the way it *looks*….but, you haven't used it. If you still hate it, change it most anyway you want. Create your own from scratch. Create a bunch of different ones for specialized situations. What else can you ask for ? Maybe John can take it from here. At least , this is a little better answer I hope. Regards, BILL

>>Please tell me this is better than it looks. It actually does work out fairly well, in spite of all the myriad buttons; better than you'd first expect. Once the association is made in each set of buttons (what each set's function is), it's fairly easy to drift the pointer across the buttons and stop when you see the text description of the button your pointer is over. One thing of note as Bill said, the interface of Real3D is highly configurably. When I was working on the spaceship, I found myself working primarily in one view, and just using the freeform creations and modifications buttons; I saved a screen setup of just one window, those buttons, and the select window (which shows your objects and levels). Took less than a minute to set up, and I used it to finish the ship. from Bill's message… >>He might hate it too <g> John ? No; the complaints I have on it are more windows related, and occur in my custom interfaces as well (though mine aren't nearly so custom :^). I've been surprised at the amount of switching 'twixt various setups I've ended up doing. John Stetzer JWS