CompuServe Thread

#Texture Map/HPScanjet

7 messages in this thread
#20279From: Wayne LeongJul 30, 1992 8:59 AM
Thanks for your info on texture mapping. I'm making progress. My next step is trying to create my own material library. I have a HP Scanjet IIc. The software that comes with it does not seem to support .tga files. If you know a any software that does please let me know. It does support .pcx and .tif. I can view the scanned images in 3dS but I do not know how to make them into texture maps and include them into mat lib. The other thing that I need a recommendation for is a good paint program I heard about "Tempra" from Mathematica. Thanks again.
#20285From: Mike MorrisonJul 30, 1992 9:43 AM
3DS supports TIF files as textures. Just click on the *.TIF button when assigning your texture file. If you want to convert images from TIF/PCX to TGA check out GWS (The Graphics Workshop) in the COMART Forum. -MM
#20306From: PhilD [ADESK]Jul 30, 1992 1:39 PM
The materials editor will let you map .GIF's and .TIF's, as well as .TGA's and animations. Try the .TIF format that your scanner gives you and see if they will map. Otherwise, you can obtain (possibly over in the Graphics Support forum: GO GRAPHICS) utilities to convert readily from one graphics file format over to another without too much trouble. There are a lot of good paint programs around. But I'm probably not the best person to give you a recommendation on one, other than Animator Pro, which suffices for all of my needs, but won't support more than 256 colors.
#20455From: Roger DanielsenAug 1, 1992 1:12 AM
Wayne, I'm a 3DS user who has also just purchased an HP Scanjet IIC. Yes, 3DS doesn't seem to like the TGAs that the bundled software produces. Gary offered to take a peek at one to see what was up when he gets time. It may make sense for one of us to send him a small one, since Animator Pro and TIPS can read the same TGA. Paint programs-8 or 24 bit? You can't run 3DS without Animator Pro. Almost can't. <g> 24 bit HIRes QFX by Ron Scott Inc. 713 529-5868 is probably my next purchase in that category. Keep in touch on the scanner. I'm really happy with the speed and the output and 3DS really starts to shine once you start putting good bitmap materials in your scenes. Roger D.
#20464From: Yost GroupAug 1, 1992 11:55 AM
I just checked my HP ScanJet IIC output with 3DS. While it's true that 3ds can't read the uncompressed TIFF output (the Deskscan software doesn't output Targa files), it _can_ read compressed TIFF output from the Deskscan software. I'd never run into this before because I always send my scans into the Photofinish software that came with my scanner (using the Acquire function in Photofinish). From there, I can do some final color correction, etc. before I save the files in Targa format. Photofinish _does_ save files in Targa format, and 3ds reads them in both compressed and uncompressed format. – Jack
#20483From: Roger DanielsenAug 1, 1992 11:03 PM
Yes, Jack, I have had luck using compressed TIFs, but at least with my scanner the whole Targa issue is a little different. If I save out of Photofinish, I sometimes can read the TGAs in 3DS, but sometimes can't. In the beginning, and up until I read your message, I didn't realize this was an on again, off again situation. After your message I was able to load a TGA, but then was unable to read the very next TGA. I get an unsupported format message. I then immediately saved as a project, quit, and went to Aniconvert and was able to load the very same TGA that would not load into 3DStudio. Perhaps using TIPS would seem to be the logical thing to do, but this TGA thing is kind of mysterious. Why is a file corrupted or not supported when it will load into another one of the same company's software packages? Oh well…Thanks, Jack. Roger D. P.S. By loading into 3DStudio, I am referring to the materials editor bitmap button.
#20500From: Yost GroupAug 2, 1992 11:16 AM
The on-again-off-again sounds strange. I'll try it some more. I _have_ found that Photo Finish, on occasion, does not correctly save its files. But in those cases, I haven't been able to load the file from any other program, including Photo Finish. In any case, thanks for bringing it up. We'll take a closer look at the file loading code for future release. – Jack