CompuServe Thread

#TS 2.0 & DXF Files

24 messages in this thread
#11412From: L E E E V A N SMay 5, 1995 1:12 AM
Will trueSpace 2 be able to import/input DXF wireframe files from 3D Studio, 3D Expres, etc.that can then be rendered in trueSpace environment ?? That's my question. Hopefully someone from Caligari who knows 2.0 will answer, but my qusetion is open to one and all. L E E E V A N S
#11417From: Ian FirthMay 5, 1995 6:10 AM
It should, considering 1.0 does…
#11420From: Rob BryertonMay 5, 1995 8:16 AM
>>It should, considering 1.0 does…<< <VBG>
#11451From: Ian FirthMay 5, 1995 5:37 PM
Rob, The new Exploder is great! $15 on it's way to you…. Also, I am using it for one (of many) scenes in the game as a laser cuts through a ship hull, the wall gives way and explodes outward, as debris pours into the vacuum. I would like to immortalize you, and name the ship the Bryerton….is this cool with you???? PS. Look for the demo here this weekend ! Regards, Ian
#11459From: Rob BryertonMay 5, 1995 6:27 PM
Hi Ian… >>The new Exploder is great<< Thanks, man! >>immortalize you, and name the ship the Bryerton….is this cool with you????<< Totally <VBG> >>PS. Look for the demo here this weekend !<< I'll be lookin' for it. TTYL, Rob
#11450From: CaligariMay 5, 1995 5:08 PM
Since you wanted an answer from a Caligari person, I guess I have to chime in and say "yes". I think quite a few people in this user group have used the DXF import function on occasion.
#11468From: CaligariMay 5, 1995 7:05 PM
Since you wanted an answer from a Caligari person, I guess I have to chime in and say "yes". I think quite a few people in this user group have used the DXF import function on occasion.
#11491From: L E E E V A N SMay 6, 1995 1:07 AM
Thanks for the answer. I haven't tried to import any DXF files but reading the Users Manual on TS1, I understood the DXF file input was extemely limited for use. I want to get 3D Expres which is a piece of software to can create DXF wireframes from imported photos of an object, then input it into a 3D program to render and animate. 3D Expres hits you at $400 and I'm not going to shell out those bucks if I can input the work into TS. Lee
#11496From: Ken SmithMay 6, 1995 2:39 AM
Lee, A friend of mine heard that there was a program that could construct wire frames from a photo, but had no details. Can you fill me in on 3D Expres? From your casual comment it sounds as though it could be a useful addition to the tool box. Many thanks Ken
#11557From: Stephen PaulMay 6, 1995 10:42 PM
Why don't don't both of you check out the GIFDXF shareware converter I've uploaded in GRAPHDEV. Use key words GIF or DXF. S.
#11597From: Ken SmithMay 7, 1995 4:15 PM
Thanks for the tip Stephen, Do you know which libary, and the file name? I had a look through a couple of the libaries and could not find it. Ken
#11600From: Stephen PaulMay 7, 1995 6:22 PM
Hi Ken, my advice would be keyword dxf all libraries in GRAPHDEV. They moved stuff around there lately. Alternatively search all libs in GRAPHDEV -AND- GUGRPA with [70711,655] my ID. I guarantee you'll find it then. I know it's still around because I ran across it a bit ago and the count was up around 415…. Feel free to write if that doesn't help, and I'll track it down for ya. < Stephen :.>
#11559From: L E E E V A N SMay 6, 1995 11:57 PM
Hi Ken! Well, I'll tell ya. I have the opportunity you get 3DExpres, try it for a week and if I can't use it, I can return it for a full refund. Almost too good to be true. So I'll probably give it a try. If your interested on how it works with trueSpace and how it impressed me, I'd be more than happy to fill you in, in a week or so. The product is made by Synthonics Inc. and is called 3DExpres, and it is in a Windows format. Cost is $395 + S&H. Phone (818) 707-6000; FAX (818) 707-6016; BBS (805) 494-7366. Basically, you take a minimum of two photos of an obect, import them by scanner or by BMP, PCX, TIF files that were scanned & copied onto a floppy. You then create the wireframe on top of the photos. 3DExpres only allows you to create wireframes…no rendering, and I'm not sure on the editing capabilities, but as I said, I can let you know soon. L E E By using the photos, you
#11596From: Ken SmithMay 7, 1995 4:15 PM
Lee, I would be very interested in your experiences with 3DExpres, please do let me know how you get on with it. Ken
#11542From: CaligariMay 6, 1995 5:52 PM
We initially got some suggestions for improvement for DXF import when releasing 1.0. The DXF loader of trueSpace has gone through several revisions since 1.0 was released. Judging by the feedback we have received, our users seem to be satisfied now with the DXF import in 1.04. But don't take MY word for it. So, a question for all: are you taking in DXF objects? how does it work? if you have problems, do they seem to be in how trueSpace reads them or how the source app writes them?
#11560From: L E E E V A N SMay 7, 1995 12:07 AM
Dear "Mr. Caligari", See my answer to Ken Smith 100040,250. Let me mess with this 3DExpres which outputs DXF Files and I'll create a couple of wireframes and see how well trueSpace inputs and accepts them for rendering, etc. By the by, is there a release date for trueSpace2 ? I'm salivating. L E E
#11570From: Randy HoppeMay 7, 1995 7:14 AM
I am creating DXFs in CorelDraw and loading them into TS quite well, thank you. I have also imported some public domain DXFs and have been reasonably satisfied. But I'm not what you might call a heavy user, and don't know DXF that well. FWIW
#11717From: L E E E V A N SMay 8, 1995 11:16 PM
Thanks for the reply Randy. Ya, let me mess with this 3DExpres a little and I'll let you know how it works for me. I'm not clear what you're importing into TS from CorelDraw. Is it wireframes or painted objects or clipart or…or…? L E E
#11784From: Frank IppolitoMay 9, 1995 11:52 PM
Hi Randy, I'm interested in this 3DExpres program you've mentioned. It sounds alot like Cybermesh for the Mac. Cybermesh works by scanning a grayscale image and mapping a 3D wireframe based on the value of gray in the pixel. Lighter gray maps higher/darker gray maps deeper. A similar feature in StradaPro led to the topography of that island called Myst. I have thought of some interesting uses for this and have been bummed out that it appears not to be ported over to the PC . I'd be very pleased if someone else has made a move to impliment this feature. Let me know how it all works out. BTW there is a program out there called InterChange by Synesis Corp. It supposedly can translate between a whole load of 3D formats across the PC, Mac, Unix and Amiga. It claims to do it's best to preserve textures and hierarchy info as well. I don't know anyone using it, but Sydesis is marketing a couple of CDs that have a bunch of wireframes translated into a variety of formats. BBTW I've imported alot of DXF files with 1.4 with no problems other than waiting for them to open up. Regards, Frank
#11801From: Rob BryertonMay 10, 1995 8:27 AM
>>…canning a grayscale image and mapping a 3D wireframe based on the value of gray in the pixel… I have thought of some interesting uses for this and have been bummed out that it appears not to be ported over to the PC<< Cybermesh (the plug-in, right?) is available for the PC now. You can also do this type of thing using GIF2DXF (in GRAPHDEV, I think) and VistaPro… Rob
#12110From: Milton LawsonMay 16, 1995 5:11 AM
Frank: I'm new to this forum and was reading past tS messages in order to get a better "feel" for the program. I noticed your interest in the 2D -to-wiremesh program Cybermesh. According to my May 1995 DTP Express catalog, Cybermesh is available for the Mac and PC platforms at $49. You can call their sales dept at 800-890-9373, or fax at 612-832-0052. Milt
#12165From: Frank IppolitoMay 16, 1995 11:45 PM
Hi Milton, Thanks for the detailed info on Cybermesh. I first "discovered" it on the back page of New Media magazine. The little "game" section mentioned the software, who wrote it (John Knoll of Photoshop fame), what it did (which got me very interested) and made no mention of how to track it down. I will give them a call tomarrow. Thanks again, Frank
#11582From: Rob BryertonMay 7, 1995 11:48 AM
>> So, a question for all: are you taking in DXF objects? how does it work? if you have problems, do they seem to be in how trueSpace reads them or how the source app writes them?<< tS has never let me down on a DXF import… FWIW, Rob
#11595From: Ken SmithMay 7, 1995 4:15 PM
My only complaint with the DXF filter is the time taken to import the file. I have had to read a couple of 4 meg files and tS 1.04 took around 20 min each, and that is with a P90 w 32 meg ram + 32 meg perm swap file….. Ken