#Spline Mod'ler More $$ !
19 messages in this thread
Jonas Ruikis [Adesk] informs me that the Spline-Based Modeler listed in the
_official_ Autodesk announcement but omitted from the distribution for 3DS,
will NOT be provided free to R4 upgraders if it becomes available.
Is this correct?
Hi Eli,
<< Is this correct? >>
Yes. This is correct.
Jonas[Autodesk]
Makes me wanna slap the woman! <BG>
Dave Mennenoh
I can only wonder why….
Dave Mennenoh
Is it safe to assume that this plug-in will require the R4 module, or can it
function in the R3 environment? Can you tell me a rough or assumed high
estimate cost for the upgrade to this option for the modeler? (It's honestly
not pressure, just anxiousness!)
Hi Dan,
<< Is it safe to assume that this plug-in will require the R4 module, or can it
function in the R3 environment? >>
I'm sorry.. but at this time, there is no information that I can share with you
regarding the future of the patch modeler. You can rest assured that I will
post any information here when it becomes available.
<< Can you tell me a rough or assumed high estimate cost for the upgrade to
this option for the modeler? (It's honestly not pressure, just anxiousness!) >>
Same.. " "..
jonas[adesk]
Thanks for the prompt reply!
Jonas,
I do understand the official ADesk policy (you can't frequent this forum for
two years and not have some understanding of it!) but surely in this case the
circumstances are extraordinary. First of all, ADesk never discusses future
features, and then the Spline Modeler is not only announced but promised. I
also understand (reading WAY between the lines) why it wasn't delivered, and
accept that. But, given those circumstances, couldn't the official policy be
bent just a little in this case to at least hint at IF the spline modeler will
be available at all from ADesk — are there plans at least, even if you can't
tell us exactly when and how much?
Sorry Mike,
<< couldn't the official policy be bent just a little in this case to at least
hint at IF the spline modeler will be available at all from ADesk — are there
plans at least, even if you can't tell us exactly when and how much? >>
but at this time… I can't say anything more than, when information becomes
available, I will post it here.
jonas[adesk]
Mike / ALL,
PMJI, but here's my take on this subject. I have absolutely no inside knowledge
whatsoever on this matter, but in reading the official statement I noticed the
line:
<< Of course, we will continue to work towards an integrated patch solution in
the future. >>
The word "integrated" being a keyword here IMO only.
I'm sure the YG & AD folks just absolutely can't discuss this, no matter how
many people beg them to. And from the PR, it appears that USER'S (beta sites)
nixed the inclusion of the patch modeler, causing AD to take notice.
Again, I'm more in the dark than probably most forum members on this subject. I
offer this only as my interpretation.
Regards,
BILL
Thanks for your guess. It sounds about right.
Unlike some, I'm not mad at anyone here about the lack of the the modeler, just
vastly disappointed. It was my one wish item about all else (well, that and
the dynamics) as I'm just terrible at using the Shaper and Lofter, and hoped
this would offer SOME relief (I had no trouble using Playmation's Spline
modeler, as pitiful as the rest of the program was).
My own feeling is that I would have, personally, put up with system crashing
for the benefits of getting some modeling done, but I do understand that may
have not been what ADesk was willing to accept. It's too bad it couldn't have
at least been offered on a "buyer beware" sort of basis.
Right now my biggest concern is that this mess will cause ADesk NOT to "work
towards an integrated patch solution", and hope that some 3rd party will handle
it. Or, having decided to work towards such a solution, that such a solution
won't be available for 18 months (the "normal" time between releases).
Oh well… At least I have what I have. I guess I'll just have to continue to
rely upon the modeling skills of others and concentrate on the areas I can do
best in 3DS (whatever the heck those are!).
Oh, I don't know. I tend to think the incident might cause them to accelerate
towards an integrated solution. Time will tell.
Regards,
BILL
Hi Mike,
I tend to agree with Bill. The big deal that has formed about this modeler
will make ADesk work faster towards their goal.
I am sure that *they* aren't happy about this either. And, please, they aren't
going to charge more for it after it was promised. So I really wouldn't worry
if I were you.
Quite honestly, I just don't understand the big deal that was made about this
and all the wild assumptions that were made by the forumites.
Everyone just needs to RELAX.
Alex K.
>Quite honestly, I just don't understand the big deal that was made about this
and >all the wild assumptions that were made by the forumites.
I can't speak for others, but as for myself the "big deal" was that this was
one of the items on my wish list, I was told by the man himself that this would
be taken care of (even by SIGGRAPH) and now I find that, not only is it not in
R4, but it may not be available, ever (and these are the words direct from Mr.
ADesk, Jonas, himself). I mean, if ADesk had simply stated "We'll be working
on a solution to this", or "We may or may not use the code that's been
developed, but we're at least committed to developing a Spline/Patch modeler"
then I think people would be far more relaxed.
Matthew Bergman's impressions on using the modeler certainly didn't help quell
the interest, either (once again, IMHO). His basic take was that the modeler
was worth even the bugs (yes, he had no idea what these were, but I'm
paraphrasing here anyway). His comments about the ease of use only confirmed
my own feelings that I'd be far more productive with such a tool rather than
the "traditional" lofter/shaper.
So, MY guess is that there are at least some of us who are desparate for such a
thingee, and the last minute omission of it, combined with the usual
stonewalling of ADesk, was very frustrating, to say the least.
Hi Mike,
<< (and these are the words direct from Mr. ADesk, Jonas, himself). I mean, if
ADesk had simply stated "We'll be working on a solution to this", or "We may or
may not use the code that's been developed, but we're at least committed to
developing a Spline/Patch modeler" then I think people would be far more
relaxed. >>
Have you checked out message #130810 yet? Danny Mercurio, the contract
programmer for the Batch Modeller.. responded..
jonas[adesk]
Yes, thanks Jonas. This does indeed make me a lot happier (although I'm sure
it won't satisfy everyone).
Just to be clear, though — I've always thought 3DS was the greatest (and only)
reason to own a computer. Unlike most of the others here, it's only a hobby
for me, and I don't want to sound ungrateful for anything Yost, Adesk and Co.
have done. If I didn't care so much I wouldn't have expressed my opinions for
you guys to take or leave as you will.
Hi Mike,
I do understand your point. And the whole thing has been clarified by Danny
Mercurio. I'm sure you've read it already.
Talk to you later.
Alex K.
>>…I just don't understand… all the wild assumptions that were made by the
forumites. <<
>> …they aren't going to charge more for it after it was promised. <<
Whoops, there goes another one! If not a "wild assumption," then at least
wishful thinking! <g>
>>>>…I just don't understand… all the wild assumptions that were made by
the forumites. <<
>>>> …they aren't going to charge more for it after it was promised. <<
>>Whoops, there goes another one! If not a "wild assumption," then at least
>>wishful thinking! <g>
You're absolutely right! (g) I stand corrected…
Alex K.