#IMPULSE
39 messages in this thread
Just a quick note to thank John Pendergrass for all of his fine and
informative answers to user questions in the Impulse and other areas.
We at Impulse have been hard at work on Imagine 2.0, and will have
some news for you shortly on its features. We have been monitoring
our area here and hope you'll understand that we are working very
hard to produce the best software and documentation that we can. We
are always interested in your comments, criticisms, and complements
(when appropriate :-> ), and look forward to your reactions to all
our software and hardware products. If we don't always respond
immediately to your questions, it's often because of the excellent
and active replies from people like Mr. Pendergrass and the other
expert Imagine, Firecracker, Foundation and Light 24 users.
Thanks for all your support and stay tuned!
So… you're not interested in inappropriate complements, then? :^)
Ben
I certainly didn't post as many replies as our friend John, but I
thank you anyway. Here's one suggestion for Imagine 2.0: can you
improve the keyboard interface when a reguester is up on screen? One
thing you could do is make the cursor automatically appear in the
first field; this way, I can hit Return a few times to move to the
right field, if I feel it's faster than mousing around. Second, can
you speed up the input routine? I always have to slow down when
typing in Imagine's numeric requesters, and I have a fast 3000 yet!
If I type too fast, Imagine loses some characters.
Eagerly awaiting Imagine 2.0,
I, along with the host of others here thank you I am sure. 🙂 I can't
count the number of hints I have received here from others, incl Rick,
Louis, Charles, etc… good place to visit.
BTW, is Rick still here with support? He always had a good way with words,
and his tapes are great. Just haven't heard from him in a while 🙁
Looking forward to Imagine 2.0, etc…. keep it up.
–jp–seattle–
John, this is the first time I've been on the board in months! I've been
really busy with several new projects. After coming back from Siggraph
this summer, I decided I had to stop talking so much about animation and
doing more of it. My serial port's been tied up by the BCD-5000 ever
since! I'll try to touch base once a week or so, now that 2.0 is almost
shipping. –Rick Rodriguez
I'm curious about Imagine 2.0's changes in the area of file format, import
and export. (For InterChange's sake, of course.) I assume it continues to
load Imagine 1.x objects and Turbo Silver 3.0 objects, but that there have
been some changes to the Imagine 2.0 file format. We're very close to
shipping InterChange Plus, which will contain an Imagine converter. I want
to be sure we're still compatible, and in the best of worlds, we'd learn
the details of the 2.0 format and translate what we can. If you've got some
sample 2.0 detail objects, I'd love to run them through my diagnostics.
(Also, there's a cute story about Rick and I at Siggraph. One night, there
was a reception in a water park – you know, slides, water toys, pools, etc.
I was horsing around on these little ride 'em toys in the center of a pool,
spraying a friend of mine with these high-power water guns. My aim strayed
"accidentally" to the crowd sitting at tables nearby. It took me a few
moments to realize I'd just sprayed Rick Rodriguez, his wife and kids. 🙂
Gee, John, with an aim that bad, it wouldn't matter if you got tons of bug
reports from you beta testers: you couldn't hit em anyway!
Karl
– via Whap!
Rick
Glad you're back; missed you. Hope you'll be around more.
What kind of animations have you been doing?
Karl
– via Whap!
Good to have you back! We're certainly going to want someone 'official'
around here when 2.0 gets going. Out of curiosity, are you using 2.0 in
any of your current work?
–jp–seattle–
VERY Cool and Welcome Back.Lets see some more Video Tapes
Rick,
it's good to have you back. Even though we managed without you, you
_are_ the "official" reason we hang around here, non? I guess some of the
animations you're working on are meant for the second tutorial videotape?
Please forward my congratulations to the crew regarding Imagine 2.0's
feature list. This version concentrates on letting us work more efficiently
rather than new features, so at first it doesn't look as flashy as one
would hope. After a while however, I can see how important this upgrade
will be.
Blaq! – via Whap!
Blaq!–It's good to be here. Impulse was kind enough not to change the
password on me!
I am working on tape two; just waiting for 2.0 to be official. It may
cost me a few sales but I know how Impulse loves to stick in those last-
minute features!
There are a lot of truly great features in the new software. I think
everyone will find a couple that make the software go in totally new
directions.
My favorites, in no particular order: quick render from any editor, render
Firecracker 24, fog objects, font objects, interactive point manipulations.
There's a whole lot more, but you get the idea.
–Rick Rodriguez
Rick – can you answer those questions I posted a week or two ago about the
changes in Imagine 2.0's import/export abilities, changes in the file
format, and now, "font objects"? I'm coming down to the wire on release
for InterChange Plus, and I d rather make an accomodation now than to send
out a couple thousand update disks to disgruntled Imagine 2.0 owners!
Rick,
I recently bought your video tape and the pictures are beautiful (and
the tutorial material was helpful. I look forward to volume 2.
Font Objects?? I've heard about Fog Objects, but what are Font Objects
(after purchasing Broadcast Font 3D)????
-RSL-
Roy, Imagine 2.0 allows you to select any Amiga font, type in a word and
the program automatically converts it to an Imagine outline (similar to
import iff/ilbm). –Rick Rodriguez
That sounds Too Cool Dude.As I mentioned in an other msg I'm having a
problem with Overscan in Imagine.The Left Side of the Screen is Blank or
Striped or whatever ya wanna call it.I'm using the preset 352*440 HAM LACE
Overscan preset in the Project editor.When I use the Show command I get the
right side is Overscanned but the left has a Black Stripe approx 1/4 inch
wide.Any Help will be Greatly Appreciated.Thanx SEE YOU IN THE CARTOONS
Rick,
Oh, so it still requires adding a front/back and merging. Well, now I
feel better about purchasing Broadcast 3D fonts.
I'm REALLY looking forward to 2.0 and future tutorial videos!
-RSL-
Hi Impulse,
Nice to hear Imagine 2.0 news is on its way. Here are a couple of personal
wishes for 2.0;
1) Zone rendering. I still miss this from Turbo Silver. I know the 1/4
screen size is very useful for a quick preview of the entire scene, but
zone rendering allows you to fine tune one objects attributes at full
resolution.
2) Quickdraw in the Stage editor. I always forget to set quickdraw in the
detail editor on every object yet its always simpler to compose positions
in the stage editor with quickdraw on.
3) Visual indication of light alignment for non spherical light sources.
(just like the camera has would be fine.)
Also, have you ever considered having an offical UK distributer?. Getting
upgrades etc from the USA can be an overly complex operation for us
european users (eg. problems with customs etc).
Phil Camp, UK.
Phil, I think that Federal Express and possibly UPS operate into the UK. I
used FEDEX from NZ to update CanDo very quickly (6 days rtn to my door)
with the help of their Forum (Martin Murry I think was my contact).These
companies do charge for the customs work but your local club or group may
be able to get a discounted group deal. I really do recommmend them both.
Laurie,
Thanks for the tips. I have recently got other goods from the US via UPS
and the service was excellent. The problem seems to be normal mail. I
recently ordered some stuff from a Compuserve Mall merchant which got to
the UK fine, was cleared by customs, but took 20 more days to get to my
door!.
I will enquire if Impulse can send out upgrades UPS when I order version
2.0.
Phil Camp.
Phil, we have trouble with normal mail here to….mainly the time it takes
to make the round trip.I get to impatient for the hot new programme to
arrive!
BTW you dont appear to be using WHAP!, if not Mike Todd does use it from
London
very well through the local direct entry to CIS. It may be worth your while
to contact him. Laurie Carroll
It's good to have Impulse back on-line again.
I don't know is this has been reported before, but here is a method to
produce a major lockup/guru of Imagine v1.1.
Start clean, go into Detail. Select Functions/Add/Primitve – Disk
Accept defaults. Zoom-In twice.
In the Front View, click on the Disk center then go to Mode/Pick Faces
Make one Face. Then go to Functions/Fracture
On this Face, preform 3 Fractures one after the other. The 4th time = Boom
————————————————————————–
Here's another problem, I cannot get a menu item onto a Function key. In
particular "Select/Lock" onto F5. All the others work fine.
FF01 160 # 1 undo FF02 330 # 2 save FF03
160 # 3 undo FF04 160 # 4 undo FF05
640 # 5 lock = no effect! FF06 610 # 6 click
FF07 620 # 7 drag FF08 630 # 8 lasso FF09 270
# 9 zoom out FF10 260 # 10 zoom in
Any ideas?
Ken Cooper – Vancouver
I am so glad to hear someone else has that problem too….
Brad H.
Looks like the line eater was busy. Here's another attempt of my last post.
——————
Having a problem with the config file. I cannot get a menu item onto a
Function key. In particular "Select/Lock" onto F5. All the others work
fine.
FF01 160 # 1 undo
FF02 330 # 2 save
FF03 160 # 3 undo
FF04 160 # 4 undo
FF05 640 # 5 lock = no effect!
FF06 610 # 6 click
FF07 620 # 7 drag
FF08 630 # 8 lasso
FF09 270 # 9 zoom out
FF10 260 # 10 zoom in
Any ideas?
Ken Cooper – Vancouver
As a new Imagine owner I am really enjoying it (if not the reference
material). I look forward to reading about the new features as well as
acquiring 2.0. Is there ANY chance that you guys can upload some Imagine
objects to your DL here (like the stuff available on Usenet, not available
to us poor guys that have no Usenet access)??????
Roy,
Some of the Usenet objects are already available in AmigaArts. I think the
archive was called IMGOBJ1 or something close. Try the new search ALL
library function over in Amiga Arts.
Phil Camp.
You can also look using the amigafile finder,type go amigaff and use
objects or Imagine or Turbo Silver or even my name and you'll find a few
objects I've ULed
Phil,
I've done that, and I have the objects hiding some place on my drive
<G>. I'm trying to cajole Impulse into posting some of the objects that
I've read about in Imagine Compendium. There are supposed to be a large
quantity of objects available on Usenet. It would be NICE if the guys at
Impulse could donate a few object more!
-RSL-
Roy,
Are there any objects in particular you're looking for?
Karl
– via Whap!
Karl,
None in particular. There are some educational examples that relate to
information in the Imagine Compendium references. In particular I am
looking for sophisticated stuff to save me alot of time (that is IF I can
figure out how to design such things). What I would really like is a model
of STTNG's Enterprise (the NCC-1701D). I realize that the original
Enterprise is available in the DL, but what can I say… I'm greedy <G>.
Any reasonably high quality objects would be nice to have!
-RSL-
Howdy,I was just wondering 1-Why haven't I recieved any of the Newsletters
that people have mentioned here.I am/Should be a registered user of Imagine
1.1 as I sent my Reg card to you long ago. 2-When will notifications to
registered users of Imagine 2.0 be sent out? 3-last but not least will the
Firecracker 24 board work in an Amiga 500 that is in a Bodega Bay?In other
words does the Firecracker use the video slot or can it be placed in ANY
2000 slot? Thanx for a Great product,I'll be Uploading an anim of a
TieFighter ala Star Wars blowing up[ a planet vaguely like the earth.
Peter, can only help on item number 3. The Firecracker fits in any ZorroII
slot, not in the video slot.
As to the Firecracker working in the Bodega Bay, you will find this out
when you try. No guarantees. Peope have problems with the Bodega Bay with
some other boards, such as CBM HD controllers and GVP HD controllers.
73, Kelly
Thanx for the info.BTW I have a GVP Series II+RAM HD controller in my
Bodega Bay and have had 0 problems with it not functioning.My only problem
is that Video Tools on Tap doesn't work now
Putting this as delicately as possible, trying not to make it sound like a
flame (which it isn't supposed to be).
Rather than producing the best documentation that *you* can, I suggest you
contract with an out-of-house technical writer or firm that knows what
they're doing. I've seen nothing in any of your docco that leads me to
believe that the "gang at Impulse" is capable of good docs. Great software
and hardware, yes. Docs, no.
Stick with doing what you do well, and get someone who knows what they're
doing to write your manuals.
Loyd
One thing I forgot to add… I would also like a keyboard equivalent of
clicking on Okay, Shift-Return for example. This would eliminate mousing
around in many requesters and greatly streamline repetitive data entry,
like when you have to move an object in time in the Action editor.
Ah yes, shifting Action editor objects… how about adding a button at
the top, labelled "Move", which would activate dragging the colored bars?
Drag either edge to stretch the bar forward/backward in time, drag
somewhere in between to move it around without affecting its length. Much
like the handles at the edges of frames in DTP programs. How about letting
me Shift-click to select multiple bars before dragging?
Blaq! – via Whap!
I agree with Loyd. I was particularly impressed with the clarity of
Steve Worley's tutorials, posted on his Usenet Imagine mailing list.
Blaq! – via Whap!