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13th December 2019, 08:31 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 8
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Worth getting AC3D?
Hello,
I'm from blender3D 2.8 and i really want to export to xp11 and i like AC3D (trial mode) alot better some stuff is harder but i find it alot better, and was curius if anyone can come up with pros and cons and why i should or should not get it? I have used blender and 3dsmax for years and modelling and learning a new workflow is not an issue for me. Is it worth getting AC3D and does it still get's updates? any discord channels? there don't seem to be alot of peolpe using it atm. And is it bad idea to get it for xp11 when FS2020 is around the corner? Appreciate any help. EDIT: 12 hours since post and not a single comment tells me that this platform is dead. Best regards Ulrik Brun Last edited by Spkier; 13th December 2019 at 03:38 PM. |
15th December 2019, 09:17 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 57
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Re: Worth getting AC3D?
Well I don't think its dead - a lot of folks use Blender of course. The key for me is that I can import plane .obj format files - then save them in ac3d format .ac. It also allows lots of other file formats to be imported and exported. In terms of using AC3d then it has easy features that are relevant for aircraft. Aircraft are symmetrical and AC3d is good at symmetrical objects. Its good at repeating objects - and mirroring. The Xplane plugin works well - its easy to animate rotations, transitions and manipulators. The 4 window view works well. The down side is probably the UV Mapping - its adequate - quite usable - but just needs a few more options for really complete objects. This is not a stopper by any means.
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16th December 2019, 06:21 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 8
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Re: Worth getting AC3D?
So would you say it's worth the 140$?
looking at the updates there has not been one since 2018. How about Cockpit modelling is that working good or is it hard? does it have any NURMS NURBS or turbosmooth modifier? any modifiers at all? Does it support inset, bevel, knife cutting, etc? Does this modelling software have a discord like blender and 3dsmax has? kinda helps getting faster reponse thru a site where everybody uses Last edited by Spkier; 16th December 2019 at 06:28 AM. |
16th December 2019, 11:24 AM | #4 |
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Posts: 4,565
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Re: Worth getting AC3D?
Well AC3D's definitely not dead. A new release will be along soon. It would have been sooner but Apple have been causing a lot of problems with their OS updates.
The forum is very quiet sometimes but that's because people generally get the software and go off to use it productively. There are many thousands of AC3D users worldwide, including lots of large corporations and universities. Users of commercial software don't usually go around saying "Hey, we use this", unlike many open source communities - which obviously rely on the community. Try the AC3D demo and try Blender too (other software is also available) - no pressure. P.S. A personal license is only $99 Last edited by Andy; 16th December 2019 at 11:26 AM. |
16th December 2019, 11:37 AM | #5 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2019
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Re: Worth getting AC3D?
Quote:
1. i will be using it comercialy so i am thinking of using the versiont that costs 140$ unless i can use the personal for comercial as im a single person? 2. If i end up buying one of the versions will i get access to updates that you said were going to be released soon or will i end up paying 140$ more to get updates? 3. In blender and 3dsmax you got something called Msmooth and shaders is this available in AC3D? Appreicate your reponse. Best regards Ulrik Brun |
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16th December 2019, 12:43 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Jun 2003
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Re: Worth getting AC3D?
Hi Ulri,
We advise businesses to purchase a commercial license, since it is attached to the business, rather then a named user (and therefore handles staff changes better). Commercial licenses also include multi-users and server compatibility i.e install once, use on any client, which you may want. There is no restriction on what you do with files generated from AC3D, whatever license you have. All updates/new-versions are free for one year after purchase, i.e. regardless of version number. Msmooth in 3DS looks like subdivision-surfaces. In AC3D, make a Mesh object and press "Subdivide" in the tool bar, a couple of times. Then manipulate the vertices. Shaders - if you mean OpenGL shaders, there is no support in AC3D. If you mean normals/shading then that is all calculated automatically in AC3D. Last edited by Andy; 16th December 2019 at 12:53 PM. |
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