NT, 3ds, and DEC Alpha
16 messages in this thread
Fast? Definitely. Several people here have tested them. The question is . . .
will the tools that we use be available to run on that system? Several people
have already placed their bets on the affirmative side. We shall see.
If ever they plan to release it, when do you think it shall be? (give your best
guess)
If they have it ready in time, we'll probably see it at SIGGRAPH. If not –
maybe Q2 '96. This guess is just that – I have no personal contacts inside Yost
Group, and no magic ball. By that time there should be some adequate compilers
that will ease the task of creating multi-threaded applications.
Hey! Programmers! Any of you guys have any input on that front?
To be honest, I am disappointed in the lack of progress in 3D Studio.
Let's face reality; most of us used Release 2 and now use Release
4…and what has improved? You may say "a lot", but Autodesk markets
3DS as a stand-alone modeling environment (I used to be a multimedia
reseller). But without AutoCAD, I find 3D Studio to be quite a
burden…for example, I can't even snap to a line, or do a trim (know
what I mean?)
What I find with 3D Studio is that we have a very good system for
applying materials and creating animations, but what I would like to
see is a complete modeling system. I may be overstepping "reality",
but I would love to see a robust 2D to 3D modeling environment…a
kind of CAD to 3D environment. Just some sort of standardization
between AutoCAD and 3D Studio.
Most of all, I hate being left in the dark…I make part of my living
with 3D Studio and to be quite honest, if they don't announce a
future to the package soon, I will start looking at Lightwave and SGI
for results.
It costs a lot more to wait for results
>> I can't even snap to a line, or do a trim<<
Yes, I know. I do almost all of my modeling in ACAD strictly because I
am an engineering-oriented fellow that likes to know how big my
models are, where they are, and how the pieces fit together. 3dS'
modeling environment was definitely intended for those that needed to
produce items in terms of "relative" size, i.e., how large is that
bowling ball relative to the head it's plowing through? I doubt that
we are going to see much of a change on this front. It would disrupt
ACAD's product lineup.
>> I am disappointed in the lack of progress in 3D Studio<<
No doubt, r4 was more of an incremental upgrade than everyone had
hoped for. As far as being left in the dark – yeah, it's hard to
take, but SIGGRAPH is only a few weeks away . . .
Given the 50 minutes of world class animation on our demo reel this
year, quite a few people are able to get phenomenal modeling,
rendering and animation results with 3DS. If you feel that the
software isn't what you need, perhaps you ought to switch to
something that's more suited to you.
Speaking of the Demo Reel, have the notices been sent out. And, are
only those who made it in the Reel being notified ? I won't be able
to attend SIGGRAPH this year, so if we want to get a copy of the
Reel, can we only get it through our dealer ?
Notices haven't been sent out yet. That's being handled by the folks
at Autodesk, and it usually happens right about Siggraph time. I'm
not sure if just the folks who made it will get notices, or if
everyone will. Forum members will be able to get copies of the reel
with a SASE, once I find a kind soul to help me out with that.
Thanks Gary and World Class is an understatement for what can be
accomplished with 3DS!
Now there's an interesting attitude. I never once stated that 3D
Studio is not what I need, only that, like all software, it lacks in
some features that I could use. I make up for this lack in
flexibility with AutoCAD.
Don't get defensive; your software is more than enough to suit my
needs and I am happy with the investment in it.
Insulting your clients is a sure-fire way to lose them.
Their reply was snippy.
Peter:
Everybody gets offended sometimes, probably due to the fact that all of our
conversations are through eMail…I just hate to see a misunderstanding turn
into a situation where someone starts getting defensive.
Fortunately, that didn't happen…
There is no such thing as a 'perfect' program. I sensed that that's
what you desired.
– G
>> Let's face reality; most of us used Release 2 and now use Release
4…and what has improved? <
Bradley,
WHAT are you talking about? The 3DS modeling is much better than Acad
for lots of things. How about a boat hull or screw threads in Acad
just to name two.
You're right, no Osnaps<g>
-Ted Boardman
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Ted:
Sorry about the confusion; I really should have elaborated that point. As a
whole, Release 4 blows r2 away, but I believe I was talking about the 2d
modeling functions when I made that statement (although the 3d modeling
functions would apply as well). Despite the obvious speed increase, I don't
find that r4 has a whole lot more to offer (in the modeling sense) that r2. It
is hard to create a technical drawing in 3D Studio and animate it. I have
found it to be much more cost-effective to design in AutoCAD (because of
features like Osnaps, a good Trim facility (not boolean, which drives me crazy
sometimes, etc…) than 3D Studio.
Now, many of you may not do engineering animations; therefore, you don't need a
real powerhouse 2d/3d modeling system like AutoCAD…but I do.
Hope that cleared up that statement.
Brad
>> Sorry about the confusion <<
Hi Brad,
Yes, 2D in 3DS is quite basic and if you need complex, accurate 2D shapes Acad
certainly does shine.
Some times, though, trying to use the same model in both 3DS and Acad is more
trouble than it's worth, because they are for different ends.
I do understand your point of view and wanted to make sure that folks
understand that 3DS is a great modeler; it is not and never will be (I hope<G>)
a technical drawing tool.
Thanks for the clarification
-Ted Boardman
!^NavFont01F000DMGJHG`MGbHH8DC261