X-SPECS
9 messages in this thread
I just got a set of Haitex's X-SPECS 3D, and have done a few 3D images with
Turbo Silver. Have you thought of modifying T.S. to do 3D animations? I think
that would be really wild!
Doug – Yes we have. We talked to them quite extensively at siggraph about
it. We tried to incorporate it several months ago, but at that time we
couldn/t get the the interface to work properly. (we built our own. using
the Sega glasses) If you could tell me what you use for calculating the
separation of images, I would DEEPLY appreciate it, as I have had alot of
trouble getting the images to look right. We will have to buffer 5 pics to
get an animation running in 3D but initially I'm trying to just get still
images to look proper, and am having a hell of a time.
Well, actually, I have been drawing one cell, copying it to another cell,
and then I just shift the camera by about so much. Using D3D, I havent'
been able to get it so it displays quite right yet, so I have to fiddle
with the arrow keys a bit. I've only had the package 2 days, and I'm going
to exchange them for another pair. This pair had a rather nasty scratch
across the lens (don't you just HATE returning neat things before you've
had a chance to get bored with them?)
On a semi related topic, I was trying to create a image for the specs,
using four balls at the corners of a tetrahedron. Something wierd is going
on. When I draw the sphere (using custom) and then try to color it, the
color function seems to work OK, but if I check on the color later, every
object shows up black! What am I doing wrong? I'm not doing anything
fancy, like grouping, etc., and when I generate the images from the cells,
I get a nice black screen (the good part….it only takes a little while to
calculate)
Have you guys used the Creative Microsystems Processor Accelerator? I'm
thinking of getting one, if 1.3 ever comes out. With a 16 MHz 68000 and a
6881, it sounds like there should be some real speed increases here.
I have been trying it using the d3d program generating images with the
camera about 30 unit different in the X, but I'm not getting any results
that are good enough to scream about yet either. Wade Bickel who wrote the
d3d program was supposed to send us some formulas to calculate the best
paralax but we haven't seen them yet.
As to your color requestor problem, it was sort of a screw up on our part.
As each triangle in TSilver can be a different color, selecting the OBJECT
color requestor ALWAYS shows black as the the requestor doesn't know the
exact color of the entire object cause it could be 1000 different colors.
The problem arises when you hit the return key from that requester it
re-sets the object color to black. You can hit the ESC key from that
requester and leave it without changing the color.
The best way oto check the color is to do it in FACE mode, by picking a
particular face on the object and checking it's color. In Version 3.0 due
out RSN we have the color requester stay at the setting it is initially put
to. The only problem with that is that if you have say a RED sphere and
change the colors via FACE MODE, to blue, the object requester will still
remain RED. Due to memory requirements there is only so much information
we are able to keep available and still keep TSilver running efficiently.
I have had the 3D glasses for about 1 month now and making 3D scenes
is very easy. Make an assortment of objects at different depths, example
along the y axis. then calculate the left image. After that move the
camera (with it fixed on an object) about a half inch to the right (that is
if your objects take up about half of the screen). After rendering that
frame use D3D to view it. If it doesn't look right, DON'T TOUCH THE ARROW
KEYS, you will just mess it up more! Try recalculating the right image
moving the camera even further to the right. Using this method I have
created very nice, and definately 3D images. By the way Stan, all I need
now is the Terrain module and the stuff for COMDEX. I'll give you a call
in the next couple of days.
Tim – I'll give it a shot. I thought you had already got the replacement
terrain for your bunged up version !! -SORRY!!!! Please give a call. If
you are near a modem when you call you van get it even quicker! <grin>
Do you have the Haitex developer kit? I don't but apparently, everything
you need to know is in there, and it's not expensive. You might wanna ask
them about it.
I asked Shawn Glissen about it at Siggraph, and he only said they we were
waiting for more stock on the glasses. We are still waiting. Perhaps they
don't want us to support the system.
To do 3D animations, you need to quad-buffer, not just double-buffer, the
screens of information, which means that a lot of oopmh is needed, and a
lot of data must be moved. I know the Haitex folks are thinking about
extending ANIM (hey, why not, everybody does that 😉 to include 3D
animations. I've made several sets of 3D pictures already, using different
3D packages. Just move the camera a bit, and re-render, then view with
their viewing program. Plus, I do hope to have a Haitex-compatible 3D
viewing program for InterChange, sometime this fall, so you can view
wireframes of any object in 3D.