#Imagine Merge & Snapshot
12 messages in this thread
As I use Imagine more and more as a professional tool, I see a need for a
more thorough manual. I am sure you left some of the features out because
you did not have them in the version you were using when you wrote it.
Examples: After facing an object with Slice, I have been reducing points
and edges with the Point Reduce Tool in Interchange. I even sent a note to
Syndesis here to point out that their tool was of great value with Imagine.
I noticed today an undocumented Imagine command called "Merge." I tried
it. It does the same thing as the Point Reduce Tool, without having to
leave Imagine.
I also cannot get the "Snapshot" to work. You mentioned here that it
records an individual cell in the Stage editor. But when I click it,
nothing happens.
I hope they commission you to do a documentation update to go with their
new version!
This merge feature sounds like something I could use. I have a huge
object which has several thousands of points. Many of which, I suspect, are
unnecessary Like yourself, I did a slice of an object (and I then extruded
it).
What will the merge function do for me? Can you tell me how I would use it
in a typical scenario?
Select the object and select Merge. That's it.
If you want to see how effective it is, save the "unmerged" object, and
while both the old and new objects are in the detail editor, hit
right-Amiga-F. You will see the difference in the point and edge count.
It just occurred to me you might have wondered where "Merge" is. It's in a
pulldown menu in the Detail editor, about halfway across. The Amiga's at
work and I'm at home, so I can't get more specific than that.
Yep, I've seen merge but never knew what it was for. I will try it out when
I get home and see what happens. When it reduces the numbers of points and
edges, what exactly do you sacrifice when you do that? Does your object
lose detail, or is the program just dropping what it considers to be
'extra' points and edges?
It's just dumping duplicate points and edges that are in IDENTICAL PLACES,
so you lose nothing on the picture.
Don, wait til you see all the features that have been packed into release
1.0A, which should be out in the next week or so! I never realized it
could be so exasperating to try to document a piece of software. I swear I
will NEVER criticize anyone's manual again!!! At present, the new features
will be covered by an addendum. I will be releasing a videotape tutorial
"Imagine: the Possibilities" in March. Any new documentation will probably
come in the next major rev, which I would not expect until end of the year
or early '92. As an aside, back when I was finalizing the manual, I was
assured that the software was "locked." The very day I shipped the galleys
up to Minnesota, I was told four or five new features had been added. By
the time the program actually shipped it had been through at least five
revisions. Since 1.0 shipped, I have tested four additional updates! The
only consolation in all of this is that the software continues to improve
and that's my primary interest, because first and foremost, I'm a hard-core
user and I welcome any refinement even if it guarantees that I never write
another manual. 🙂 –Rick
AN upgrade already??? is this somthing that I, as an Imagine owner
(and Lover) can expect to show up at my doorstep, or should I start saving
now?
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. Brad Hayes
Brad, you'll be receiving a newsletter shortly with all the details. –Rick
How do you think the programmers feel who probably think they beta tested
EVERY NEAT, NIFTY THING this program can do, and us end users keep pushing
it to new limits.
For instance, it frustrates me that brushes and textures don't morph (they
just change abruptly in the last frame), but I am hesitant to point it out,
because the thing does so much!
Rick,
Say, that's great! How will we find out about your videotape? Announced
here, or by mail? Will it be like your TS one, or include more detail and
tutorials? And lastly, how can you make a videotape when the features
change daily?!? 😉
Karl
Karl, that's why the tape won't be done until end of March. Mike has
promised me that the final version of the update is now done. 'Course, the
version I received last week was supposed to be it… The videotape will be
carried by dealers and also available through Impulse. I'll post something
when it's nearer to materializing. –Rick