Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!well!ewhac
From: ewhac@well.UUCP (Leo 'Bols Ewhac' Schwab)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: 3d animation systems
Message-ID: <5785@well.UUCP>
Date: 24 Apr 88 21:57:24 GMT
References: <39845R38@PSUVM>
Reply-To: ewhac@well.UUCP (Leo 'Bols Ewhac' Schwab)
Organization: The CIA:  International Meddling at Bargain Rates.
Lines: 68

In article <39845R38@PSUVM> R38@PSUVM.BITNET (aka Marc Rifkin) writes:
>I am looking to do some serious 3d animations- not simple looping demos,
>but something with a plot.  [ ... ]
>However, I am not sure which system is the most
>suitable- I need a system with alot of control over objects and camera. [ ... ]
>Can someone with the knowledge help me make the decision?

	Well, I'm a supporter of VideoScape 3D.  I like it because it
permits me to precisely specify what's going to happen on the screen.

	However, the major drawback to VS3D is its user interface, or lack
thereof.  Modeller 3D, which will be ready Real Soon Now, will help to
address this problem.  However, currently, you only have a textual interface
available to you.  In order to utilize it to its fullest, you really need
to be blessed with the ability to visualize 3D objects and space, and be
able to mentally translate it into numbers.  I'm lucky; I can do this to a
limited degree.

	However, most people can't.  So for them, Sculpt/Animate-3D is
a better choice.  It is superior in that its interface is completely
visual.  You create and move objects around by drawing their paths on the
screen.

	However, Sculpt/Animate's drawback is lack of precision.  You drag
objects and paths around until they "look okay".  If you have a highly
detailed model, or wish to specify an exact motion path (to simulate a
Newtonian physics model), this may be unacceptable.  Sculpt does provide a
"script" mode for precise data entry, but I am unaware of how effective it
is.

	Silver is also interesting.  *PERSONALLY*, I find its user interface
to be difficult to understand and use.  However, regular users of the
program don't feel this way.  Also, the program is *stuffed* with options,
so you can create images that aren't possible with Sculpt.  The most recent
release, Turbo Silver, is very interesting, in that it is the first
commercial ray-tracing/animation package with refraction, with variable
index of refraction.  Silver also features "texture mapping", the ability to
map an image (any IFF file) to the surface of an object.  Turbo Silver also
appears to be faster than Sculpt for equivalent scenes.  One of Silver's
drawbacks is that it only allows for a single light source (Sculpt and the
new VideoScape 2.0 allow for multiple light sources).

	I have not played with or seen much of Animator: Apprentice or Forms
In Flight.

	Also, you should be aware of John Foust's _InterChange_ program.
This little goodie lets you convert objects from any supported format to any
other supported format.  The currently supported formats that I know of are
VideoScape 3DG1 (text) format, Sculpt-3D, and Forms In Flight.  I have heard
that a Turbo Silver module is available.  With this tool, you can create
objects and environments with your favorite object editor, then port them
over to your favorite renderer, and do what you will.

	I would play with as many packages as you could lay your hands on,
and pick the one you like best.  If you're really serious, you'll buy a copy
of each of them.  They are tools, and you should select the best one for the
individual task before you.

	A final note:  I think you'll discover that creating a "feature
length" animation with a plot and all is not as simple as you may think.  Be
prepared to invest time, and don't let yourself get discouraged.

	I'm looking forward to seeing your stuff.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Leo L. Schwab -- The Guy in The Cape  ihnp4!pacbell -\
 \_ -_		Recumbent Bikes:	      dual ---> !{well,unicom}!ewhac
O----^o	      The Only Way To Fly.	      hplabs / (pronounced "AE-wack")
"Work FOR?  I don't work FOR anybody!  I'm just having fun."  -- The Doctor