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Autodesk Multimedia Forum · Autodesk 3D Studio

#Starfield Simulation?

18 messages in this thread

#118472From: Suresh KavanAug 16, 1994 12:20 AM

I'm trying to create a pretty cliched space scene, with moving stars (a la the starfield in ani pro) and cute gases and evolving galaxies etc.. ec.. I bought the Vortex IPAS a few months ago..bu haven't been able to get anything very attractive produced. Any ideas on each of the elements mentioned above? I did a beautiful one in Lightwave..but can't come close in the much more capable 3DS. (Can you hear the sound of a gauntlet hitting the floor?). SK.

#118475From: Mike White SunDog Pro.Aug 16, 1994 12:42 AM

With vortex try using motion blur. Mike White [SDP]

#118534From: Yost GroupAug 16, 1994 9:33 AM

Have you seen the Siggraph demo reel? It opens with just such a space scene (moving stars, gas nebulas, etc). – G

#118569From: REZA DASTMALCHIANAug 16, 1994 11:05 AM

Dear Yost Group: How does one get a copy of that SIGRAPH demo reel? I have a friend who is in the market to purchase multiple copies of Lightwave for his staff and I would like to convince him to get 3DS. This tape could help if it is knock-your-socks-off kind of a thing. Regards, Reza D. New Age Interactive

#118653From: Yost GroupAug 16, 1994 8:00 PM

No problem! If you send a SASE with $3.00 on it (that's big enough to fit a VHS tape) to me at 3739 Balboa St., #230, SF CA 94121, I'll send one back out to ya. – G

#118935From: John N. JordanAug 17, 1994 10:41 PM

_The Siggraph demo tape is definately a knock-your-socks-off kind of thing._ JNJ

#118666From: Suresh KavanAug 16, 1994 8:50 PM

>>Have you seen the Siggraph demo reel? It opens with just such a space >>scene (moving stars, gas nebulas, etc). Gary, thanks for the info..this tells me WHERE I can see someone elses efforts..but how do I do it in 3DS????? In lightwave all I do is …… <gr>. (Well, you can't blame a guy for trying eh?)

#118691From: Yost GroupAug 16, 1994 11:27 PM

The starfield stuff is explained in the IPAS section of the 3DS ref manual, and the gas nebulas are based on a trick by Jon Bell (from one of the sample files on the r3 CD-ROM) in which you fractalize a sphere and make it transparent with a wide specular component and then light it with colored lights that exclude anything else in the scene (with exclusion lists). This trick is explained in the upcoming New Riders book "Special Effects with 3D Studio", btw. Have you seen the tape? – G

#118880From: Suresh KavanAug 17, 1994 6:58 PM

Cool. Thanks much for the advice….. Just got a new Pentium 90 so Lightwave is shelved! I haven't seen the tape (I don't think) so I'll send an SAE. Now if I can persuade the firm to buy me a PAR or a Matrox Express I'll be a happy camper. SK.

#118886From: Yost GroupAug 17, 1994 7:14 PM

If you send a SASE with $3.00 on it (that's big enough to fit a VHS tape) to me at 3739 Balboa St., #230, SF CA 94121, I'll send one back out to ya. – G

#119058From: New Riders PublishingAug 18, 1994 2:57 PM

Gary, >> This trick is explained in >> the upcoming New Riders book "Special Effects with 3D Studio", btw. You're doing us such a great favor by telling people about our book that I hate to nitpick, but the actual title of the book is _3D_Studio_Special_Effects_ (ISBN:1-56205-303-5). You had it close. I just want to keep people from getting confused when they want to order the book. ____kevin

#119072From: Yost GroupAug 18, 1994 3:54 PM

Thanks for the horses mouth, Kevin! (or something like that 🙂 – G

#119117From: Mark YankeeAug 18, 1994 7:54 PM

Kevin, Could you please give me complete ordering information on the upcomming book "3D Studio Special Effects" including a phone# to order it. Thanks, Mark Yankee

#119680From: New Riders PublishingAug 22, 1994 2:26 PM

3D Studio Special Effects ISBN#:1-56205-303-5 Full Color. CD-ROM with all effects and more. Price:$50 Phone#:1-800-428-5331

#119697From: Mark YankeeAug 22, 1994 3:21 PM

Thanks Kevin, Mark Yankee

#119198From: Robert A. WeilAug 19, 1994 5:54 AM

Kevin – It's sometimes a mistake to surface on CIS. It's now inevitable that someone will ask you when the book is due to be released. I, of course, hadn't even thought to ask . . . By the way …. :-] Talked recently to Martin Foster – he had only just finished revisions to his chapters – now I can't help it – where does that put the publication date? TIA, re

#119681From: New Riders PublishingAug 22, 1994 2:26 PM

Robert, The book will ship in September. ____kevin

#118960From: John TissavaryAug 18, 1994 1:52 AM

You might want to experiment with motion blur and special opacity/texture maps applied to specially shaped objects (like the intersecting "X" shaped planes used in vapor.axp) John Tissavary (LUNA cie, inc)