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· Videophile
#Ray Trace & 3-D
3 messages in this thread
The answer is 'not yet'. We provided a few homogeneous textures: dull,
shiny, mirrored, semi-transparent and luminous. Texture and contour
mapping is quite straightforward for ray traced rendering, but a good user
interface is more illusive. Objects in SCULPT 3-D can be interactively
modified, so the question is: how should the mapping change?
We are looking to the user base to provide us with a list of features that
they would like to see. Let me know how you would like to see IFF files
mapped onto an irregular object. Would you prefer to be able to paint
details directly onto each polygonal face? What textures would you like to
see: wood grain, orange peel, leather, marble, hairy? How about hooks so
that you could define your own textures?
Let me know. Most reasonable requests will be granted.
Eric:
Thank you for your speedy reply. I can see the problems faced with mapping
IFF files onto an object and keeping the interface simple. Your idea about
hooks for defining textures would be very handy. That would free SCULPT
3-D from having them resident. Also, in regards to painting details
directly onto each polygonal face, I believe that a fairly effective and
easy way is possible. Let me try to explain this:
Naturally each polygonal face would be presented to you in 2D. Instead
of painting an image onto the face why not supply an IFF file or brush for
the design? The IFF file could be scrolled behind the polgonal face (which
would act as a window of that face shape) and the desired portion of the
IFF picture can be selected. I believe that this would be keeping on the
'Ease of Use Interface' track that SCULPT 3-D now has.
In terms of contour mapping: It would be usefull to be able to map an IFF
file onto a sphere for example. The edge of the IFF pic can be alligned
with a longitude line on the sphere. The mapping can be then done. If the
camera view coords. change then the new 'mapped view' of the sphere can be
recalculated. Since the allignment is still available to the program, this
can be easily done, thus keeping an easy to use user interface.
Hope I got my ideas across well and forgive this long winded message.
Eric:
Thank you for your speedy reply. I can see the problems faced with mapping
IFF files onto an object and keeping the interface simple. Your idea about
hooks for defining textures would be very handy. That would free SCULPT
3-D from having them resident. Also, in regards to painting details
directly onto each polygonal face, I believe that a fairly effective and
easy way is possible. Let me try to explain this:
Naturally each polygonal face would be presented to you in 2D. Instead
of painting an image onto the face why not supply an IFF file or brush for
the design? The IFF file could be scrolled behind the polgonal face (which
would act as a window of that face shape) and the desired portion of the
IFF picture can be selected. I believe that this would be keeping on the
'Ease of Use Interface' track that SCULPT 3-D now has.
In terms of contour mapping: It would be usefull to be able to map an IFF
file onto a sphere for example. The edge of the IFF pic can be alligned
with a longitude line on the sphere. The mapping can be then done. If the
camera view coords. change then the new 'mapped view' of the sphere can be
recalculated. Since the allignment is still available to the program, this
can be easily done, thus keeping an easy to use user interface.
Hope I got my ideas across well and forgive this long winded message.