X-Plane obj files crash AC3D

[captainpeter]

Oh, I misread your system specs.
I was thinking '1024 MBytes Type GDDR3' is your RAM :roll:

Considering that:

• I'm using a Macbook Pro ( 8GB RAM and a 512MB nVidia GT300M )
• I just opened a 26 MB ac3d file.
• Total objects: 1150 surfaces: 238635 vertices: 200745
• It uses 9 texture png's which use around 40 MB VRAM (uncompressed)
• I used to work on this model on my old Macbook Pro (core2duo 2.4GHz) with 4GB/256VRAM without any issues as well.

...your model is certainly not even close to ac3d's limitations on your hardware.

At least on Mac AC3D will only address 4GB anyway (32bit app).
8GB do help to get the OS and other apps out of the way though

Have you tried updating graphics drivers?
Reducing some rendering options (anti-aliasing, et al)?

Maybe someone with better WinXP skills knows more.
peter

[wheathe]

Originally Posted by captainpeter

Oh, I misread your system specs.
I was thinking '1024 MBytes Type GDDR3' is your RAM :roll:

Considering that:

• I'm using a Macbook Pro ( 8GB RAM and a 512MB nVidia GT300M )
• I just opened a 26 MB ac3d file.
• Total objects: 1150 surfaces: 238635 vertices: 200745
• It uses 9 texture png's which use around 40 MB VRAM (uncompressed)
• I used to work on this model on my old Macbook Pro (core2duo 2.4GHz) with 4GB/256VRAM without any issues as well.

...your model is certainly not even close to ac3d's limitations on your hardware.

At least on Mac AC3D will only address 4GB anyway (32bit app).
8GB do help to get the OS and other apps out of the way though

Have you tried updating graphics drivers?
Reducing some rendering options (anti-aliasing, et al)?

Maybe someone with better WinXP skills knows more.
peter

I did some testing today, and determined that I can build a bigger collection of objects than I can import. The obj file size ended up being 14,267 Kb with the following data as determined by AC3D.

Total objects: 1291 surfaces: 166100 vertices: 86400

Attached is a pic of the system information with the above objects loaded into AC3D.

I am guessing that either the obj files that that crash AC3D have something odd in them, or something weird is going on in my computer.

I haven't updated my graphic drivers as they are fairly recent.
Driver Version 6.14.12.6658
Driver Date 2011-01-08 03:27:00

My Video card is a NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT which by today's standards is ancient and should be replaced which will happen this fall.

I will look at anti-aliasing etc. as my next move.

Thanks again for the interest.

William

[wheathe]

...your model is certainly not even close to ac3d's limitations on your hardware.

At least on Mac AC3D will only address 4GB anyway (32bit app).
8GB do help to get the OS and other apps out of the way though

Have you tried updating graphics drivers?
Reducing some rendering options (anti-aliasing, et al)?

Maybe someone with better WinXP skills knows more.
peter[/QUOTE]

I think I discovered what I was doing wrong. I was getting the texture and the obj files cross filed. (Newby mistake)

Thanks again for the interest.

wheathe

[captainpeter]

I really hope it didn't take you the entire year to find out.

cheers

[wheathe]

Yes it took me a year.

Old age and health issues are my excuses and I'm sticking to them.

Way back in my distant past I worked with 2D & 3D CAD at a $5000.00 per seat CAD station.

Complex machines were always created using layers for each sub assembly and part.

Having the ability to put different part attributes in a separate layer was strictly enforced as each part was added to a sub-assembly and then the design checked for interference, fit,and function.

Comparing working with layers to working with the hierarchy method in AC3D, the layers method wins hands down for speed and ease of use. IMHO.

I admit it is not an issue on assemblies with only a few parts or objects, but when you build an aircraft with many parts and add in animation, finding your way around becomes a time wasting issue. IMHO.

I would like to see more opinions on this subject.

Finally AC3D makes most other CAD software look and feel second rate.

Amazing! Many many thanks Andy!

PS
Parametric design was becoming popular about the time I retired. It made altering a design a snap. Possible in AC3D?

wheathe

[captainpeter]

My only gripe with AC3D's layering logic is the following:

If I group multiple objects (e.g. geometry intended to move as if it were one solid part) everything is fine. I can select the group in group mode and the objects inside individually in object mode.

This logic breaks however if I group multiple groups containing objects.
It is no longer possible to select groups within groups in group select mode.

Clicking such a sub-group will select all objects within but NOT the group.
I also can not move multiple selected objects and groups within the hierarchy together but have to drag them around individually.

peter