-edit
larger, more complex models with the new 64-bit AC3D
-import
EVEN MORE formats for 3D geometry and images (textures)
-automatically select "degenerate UVs"
-instantly
thicken 2D objects
64-bit
AC3D
is now 64-bit so that you can enjoy working on larger models (requires a 64
bit operating system).
EVEN
MORE file format support
AC3D
8.3 imports a huge number of 3D file formats. Some of the existing file
format support has been updated so that models load faster. The number
of image formats has also been extended.
New/updated 3D
file import formats
Supported image
types (textures/ background)
.mdl
(3D
GameStudio (3DGS))
.x3d
(3D
GameStudio (3DGS) Terrain)
.3ds
(3D
Studio)
.ase
(3d
Studio ASE)
.fbx
(Autodesk
fbx)
.blend
(Blender)
.b3d
(Blitz
3D)
.dae
(Collada)
.x
(Direct
X)
.md5
(Doom
3)
.dxf
(DXF
Autocad)
.gltf
(Gl
Transmisson Format)
.glb
(GLB
format)
.irrmesh
(Irrlicht
Mesh)
.ndo
(Izware
Nendo)
.lwo
(Lightwave
object)
.lws
(Lightwave
scene)
.ms3d
(Milkshape
3D)
.lxo
(Modo)
.nff
(Neutral
File Format)
.off
(Object
File Format)
.xml
(Ogre
XML)
.ogex
(Open
Game Engine Exchange)
.raw
(Povray
Raw)
.md1
(Quake
1)
.md2
(Quake
II Mesh)
.pk3
(Quake
III Map/BSP)
.md3
(Quake
III Mesh)
.q3d
(Quick3D)
.q3s
(Quick3D)
.sense8
(Sense8
WorldToolkit)
.ply
(Stanford
Polygon Library)
.stl
(STL)
.ter
(Terragen
Terrain)
.cob
(Truespace
COB)
.scn
(Truespace
SCN)
.3ds
(Unreal
3D)
.smd
(Valve
Model SMD)
.vta
(Valve
Model VTA)
.obj
(Wavefront
Object File Format)
.x3d
(X3D)
.xgl
(XGL)
.zgl
(ZGL)
.bmp
BMP
.dds
DirectDraw
Surface
.gif
GIF
.rot
Homeworld
2
.jpg
Jpeg
.jpe
Jpeg
.jpeg
Jpeg
.jp2
Jpeg
.iff
Interchange
File Format
.pbm
Portable
BitMap
.pix
Alias/Wavefront
.pgm
PGM
.png
Portable
Network Graphics
.psd
Adobe
Photoshop
.psp
PaintShop
Pro
.pnm
PNM
.pxr
Pixar
.raw
Raw
data
.rgb
.rgba .sgi .bw
Silicon
Graphics
.tga
Truevision
Targa
.tif
Tagged
File Format
.tpl
GameCube
texture
.utx
Unreal
Texture
.wal
Quake
Texture
.vtf
Valve
Texture Format
.xpm
X-Window
PixMap
Degenerate
UVs? Are your textures causing "marching ants"?
When
there are problems with a texture-map they can be very hard to spot.
Sometimes, problems will only reveal themselves in a final application that's
displaying your 3D model, and then only on some, but not all, graphics
cards.
Problem
areas can show up as blank areas or fuzzy moving pixels - "marching ants".
These
are generally caused by "degenerate UVs" - essentially texture coordinates
that don't map to a valid area on the texture/normal map.
Surfaces with
degenerate UVs highlighted in X-Plane
AC3D
8.3 includes a function to select all surfaces which have "degenerate UVs". Simply
switch to Surface select-mode and then choose menu
Edit->Select-Surfaces->with degenerate-UVs.
If
there are any badly textured surfaces, they will be selected in AC3D so you
can easily see where they are.
Any
Surfaces with bad texture mapping will usually appear in AC3D's Texture
Coordinate Editor as either lines or single points:
It's
then just a case of mapping these so that they map onto a valid area on the
texture. In this case, front and side mappings made the valid areas
appear. :
Thicken
The
new Thicken function (Object menu) adds the powerful ability to turn
single layer objects into fully-shelled 3D objects with a defined
'thickness'.
You
can choose the direction of thickness (in, out, both) and specify a final
thickness for the shape.
Thicken
is handy on lines too:
Extrude has
now been simplified. Using a combination of Extrude, Thicken and
Extrude-edges (Vertex menu), it's now easier to add extra surfaces without
introducing unwanted additional geometry.
For
a full list of other changes, see the 'changes' list that comes with the AC3D
installer.
AC3D
will let you know if you need to upgrade your license. Mac users will
need to enter their license key (via the Help menu inside AC3D), if they've
not run a recent 64-bit Beta. Please visit the Upgrade Center to
purchase a new discounted license for AC3D: http://www.inivis.com/upgrade.html
