[b]Purchasing Questions[/b]

[James]

:?: I am a stop-motion animator at an intermediate level in 3d programs. I have worked with the ac3d demo extensively to create five complex architectural sets and three vessels without a problem. I thought I reached the limits of the program when I discovered Bezier curves and Lattice modelling techniques in Blender3d. I downloaded their program, bought the tutorial and started learning.
Despite the many people who tout Blender's "more intuitive" interface on its website, I confess I prefer ac3d's more menu-based interface far more. There were just too many relative difficulties in Blender's interface that made ac3d the better choice for my needs.
Since I do not need animation software in a modelling program for my work right now, that advantage of Blender just faded to insignificance.
However there are a couple of Blender features which I am pretty sure ac3d has but I am not exactly sure, and forms the subject of my query.
The first, and most important, is the lattice modelling feature, along with the accompanying distortion commands,(twist, bend, etc) that allow for smooth curves to be applied to meshes in few steps. I think I activated a lattice command in the ac3d demo when I was learning that did just that, but I was reading the online manual on the screen (instead of a printout) and I think the demo version doesn't let you do much with some features. I do remember an exterior lattice with a really nice morphable spheroid inside.
Does the full, newest version of ac3d allow lattice modelling?Does it have anything comparable to Bezier curve functions? Does it support twist and bend functions?
If it does, I'm sold.
Is there an updated, printable manual that covers these functions? Also, is there any way to import already existing Blender files into ac3d? What are the compatibility specs for ac3d anyway? Finally, which version would you recommend that would have the most features like the ones I need? Please respond by email: proteus19m@yahoo.com, as it is easier for me to check it discreetly at work. My thanks.

Sincerely,
James O.

[Andy]

The trial version is the same as the purchased version except that

1) a licenced version won't time-out and
2) when you are licenced, you can use the plugins (including Thaellin's excellent Boolean plugin)
3) you can get the SDK

For twisting and bending, try using subdivision surfaces.

There are some scripts for using Blender files on the resources page although I believe Blender now supports import and export of AC3D models.

AC3D will run on virtually any PC. As your models increase in complexity, you will need more ram and more processing speed. Some people have reported AC3D running on a 486 (it was first developed on an Amiga!).

Andy

[James]

Thank you for your reply Andy. Could you please explain what Thaellin's Boolean plugins are; are they just twist and bend enablers? Also, does the subdivide surface (which is that function I accidently activated and did not know how to use) behave just like the lattice-moulding features of Blender? Is is covered in the manual? What are SDC's? And does ac3d allow Blender imports? I appreciate your guidance.

Sincerely,
James O.

[Andy]

Blender imports and exports AC3D, AFAIK.

I don't have experience with Blenders functions but you can use subdivision surfaces to make nice bendy shapes - see http://ac3d.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=167

If you rotate the vertices, you can make twisted shapes. I would have directed you to dbyrd01's twisted column tutorial but it's gone - I'll email him and see if he can find it.

for some pics of what Jeff's plugin can do, see http://ac3d.org/ac3d/newin4/#_Toc52769393

[James]

:?:
Hello Andy. I have purchased the licenced version and am working with it again. Thank you for the subdivision tips from Cowboybebop's questions about bend functions.
You mention all the new features on the website such as mirroring, Boolean plugins, Anti-aliasing (which I still do not understand). Are these plugin features already included in my licenced program, or must they be downloaded separately. I downloaded the plugin package for windows from the site and did not find these features.
I am getting the manual printed tomorrow (it's a nightmare to reference on the screen while I work).
You never clarified what Thaellin's Boolean functions are (who's Thaellin?), are they the same as the Boolean functions featured in the "new to 4.0" features page? Is their use covered in the manual? I remember being completely unable to activate the Boolean functions when I used the trial version, though I found them on the menu and tried many times.

And could you please explain what that lattice-like function was I described in my last post: the one which I accidentally actuated and created a wonderful organic, rounded cuboid within a gridbox lattice. It is very important to my work that I am able to manipulate polygons curvilinearly, with lattices. What was it, and how does it work? Thanks again.

Sincerely,
James Ortega

[Andy]

Once you have installed the plugins, check the AC3D console when it starts up - it will list all the plugins.

Use Help->about-plugins to find out more about what's been added - you can find details about the Boolean plugin here.

Thaellin is the author of the Boolean plugin (that's his name on this forum).

Anti-aliasing smooths the bitmap image. This is useful if you want to take the image in the 3D window and use it somewhere else.

To try the subdivision surfaces - make a box, use Surface->Subdivide on it (twice). Open Tools->Object-property-editor and make the subdivision level 2. This will 'smooth' the shape. Drag vertices around to change it. Try to stick with quads (4 point surfaces) - these subdivide best.

Have fun!

Andy

[Thaellin]

Thaellin is just a name that I use. I created it for an online game back in 92 or 93, and it's one of the few names which I have not had trouble getting when signing up for net stuff. So I stick with it.

Boolean operations are also called CSG operations (constructive solid geometry). They allow you to take two solid objects and find the intersection, union, or subtraction (A-B or B-A) of the two. In general, it's best to try manipulating the existing geometry, but there are times when boolean operations are the only sane way to go. If you aren't worried about polycount then boolean operations are often easier. Boolean ops shatter the two objects against one another, though, so there may be more surfaces than you need in your output.

I used them this morning to make a manhole cover with a criss-crossed grate in it. I used the boolean operations to make the ring around the manhole cover, because that was going to be a pain otherwise. I used elongated cubes to make the grating, though, because that keeps the polycount down.

I've also used them to cut spheres into the shapes I want, including cutting one sphere out of another (so that I can have a curved recess).

Hopefully that gives you an idea of what the boolean functions are about.

Have fun,
-- Jeff