#3D Studio R3
10 messages in this thread
So, the press releases on r3 are out. They certainly look very interesting!!
I do have two questions concerning r3. 1) Will the distrubutive processing work
over a network running Sun PCNFS (among Dos machines), since technically it is
not a "PC Based" network??? 2) Is there going to be any improvement in the way
normals are handled/assigned to items DXF'd from Autocad??
– Scott
1) You can use a Sun as a server as long as you know how to do the TCP/IP
stuff correctly. (Kevin Krell knows more about how to configure something like
this, as does Greg Pyros.)
2) Normals were handled in R2 about as well as any program on this planet
handles them. As long as the objects are built with topological integrity in
AutoCAD, our normal unification code works perfectly. If you want to build
non-manifold objects, the rest is up to you.
– G
I'll second Gary's comment that the DXF translator in 3D Studio is one of the
"best on the planet," short of AutoCAD itself. But AutoCAD isn't a renderer, so
that puts 3D Studio ahead of AutoCAD when it comes to 3D.
What exactly would you like to be able to do, when you convert a DXF to 3D
Studio? What extra options do you want?
I don't want any extra features. I also agree that the DXF translation is
great!! However, when items are brought over from Autocad, not all of the n
normals in the SAME PLANE are facing the same way. I've followed the manuals
instructions on how to fix this problem, but it reoccurs any time either the
map or mapping coordinates are changed. Then some (not all) of the faces have
their normals flipped. It can even be different faces if the mapping is changed
a third time. On a complex architectural model, this becomes very time
consuming to track down. We have ended up having to define almost all of our
materials as two sided. This in turn slows down the rendering time. I was
simply inquiring if anything had (or could) be done to improve an already
excellent product.
Some architects in our firm seem to have trouble remembering to draw ALL
3Dfaces in a counterclockwise direction, from the viewing point. This does re-
duce the problem, but doesn't completely cure it.
– Scott
There is no way that the map or mapping coordinates can change normal
orientation. The normal orientation is determined exclusively by
face-list ordering.
Well, you guys should know. But I've had to spend untold hours
flipping faces again and again. Maybe I've misunderstood the
directions for fixing this type on thing in the manual. I'll go read
it again. Thanks.
At some point, the magic breaks down and all you're left with is
reality. 🙂 A plane divides space into two parts, and any polygon
or triangle in the plane can legitimately point either way. How is a
program to know which way is the "right" way?
>> inconsistant normals
I don't know if I've mentioned this to you before or not, but my
company intorduced a product a couple years ago and have continued to
improve it called BlockSOLID (latest release last March). It is an
app which run within ACAD. One of its "many powerful functions <g>"
is a command called SEDIT (Surface Edit). This command allows you to
join any number or surface and surface entities together (with
vertiex welding) AND "normalize" the surface faces. It also has a
"reverse" option if the normalization is "inside-out".
We havn't sold enough of them to retire .. but the customers we have
love it. Its $195. If you want more info, you can give me a call
(301) 236-5425.
I have the same problem when I am modelling a building in AutoCAD it
is nearly impossible to keep track of drawing counterclockwise, I
even gave up thinking about it it is to time consuming. If their is a
program however within AutoCAD where you can select a bunch of faces
after you have drawn them and then change their normals automaticaly
facing one way it would be great, or something that does the same
thing in 3Dstudio, flipping face by face for a building gets on my
nerves, so I choose for longer rendering times (2sided). Is their a
demo available for your product, I'm in europe I am interested. I'd
love to see it.
Christophe,
>> If their is a program however within AutoCAD >> where you can select a bunch
of faces after you have drawn them and then >> change their normals
automaticaly facing one way it would be great
Well, that's what BlockSOLID does. You can also join individual 3DFACES with
P-face meches or polyline meshes (RULESURF type) into a single mesh and then
normalize the faces. Customers use this feature as a simple "lofter", by
RULESURFing between a series of cross sectional shapes and then joining and
normalizing them later.
>> demo available
No, I'm sorry but we don't do demo's anymore (at $195, we just
couldn't afford it anymore). What we do instead is provide a 30 eval
program where you purchase the product and have an opportunity to go
thru the tutorial. If your not satisfied, then you can return it for
a refund (less shipping).
Why don't you fax me your address (I do CIS from home) and either a
request for info or order. My fax is: (301) 421-1785. Thanks for
the interest,