Hi All,

The 3D Canvas 6.1 Alpha is now available for download: http://www.3d-canvas.com/downloads/3DCanvas61Alpha.zip

This release is not "feature complete". There will likely be some updates to a couple of exports. It seems relatively stable (for an Alpha). I don't know if it is at the state where it can be used productively or not.

The new functions are 100% undocumented. They will be documented for the final version.

Things to look out for:

o) I had an error 91 yesterday when deleting a layer. I think the cause was that the object had become de-selected without disabling the buttons and erasing the list of layers. If you see this try to remember the circumstances.

o) The "Reduce" operation only works on untextured objects and objects textured with BMP textures. Unfortunately I don't have a solution to this yet and it may affect my ability to produce a new version of the Train Simulator Wizard that I was hoping to create for 6.1.

If you have trouble getting it to run, this version creates a log file (in the 3D Canvas folder) that should help in narrowing down the problem. Just send it to me at (support@amabilis.com)

For more information on 3D Canvas 6.1: http://www.amabilis.com/cgi-bin/YaBB/YaBB.cgi?board=3DCanvasProGeneral;action=display;num=1066413717;start=0

Richard

Great! Getting it now...  

Ditto that !  

Got it. Seems stable so far. Great stuff.

Only a little quibble, the chamfer values need scaling down by a factor of 10 as a 0.1 increase makes little difference, so have the default as 0.5 but make 0.5 have the equivalent effect that 5 has at the moment.

Great stuff.

Also, I think that both extrude versions are useful - maybe have an option to switch between both styles. More modelling options are better.

Can this be installed alongside v. 6.0.2.4?

[quote author=kenlynch link=board=3DCanvasProGeneral;num=1067051423;start=0#4 date=10/25/03 at 09:55:37]Also, I think that both extrude versions are useful - maybe have an option to switch between both styles. More modelling options are better.[/quote]

The flare extrude plugin works the same way as the old extrude and with a step value of 1 should produce the same results.

For now, I'm pretty pleased with the ALPHA...

I enjoy the change done to the Champher... though I too think the settings are off by an order of mangitude in the low values.

.1 acts more like .001... I really like that fact you can set it and forget it...

Haven't tested everything yet... but I like it. I also like being able to save the removal of excess "faces" task till the end... as it is no longer destructive. A very welcome change!

Thanks to all who are testing the Alpha. I know installing pre-release software isn't always fun and I appreciate that you are trying it out.

It seems like things are going pretty well so far. I haven't been having any problems and there haven't been any other reports of problems.

Ken/Pete,

I'm making one more change for 6.1. I'm going to make it so that operation developers can specify how much effect an up/down should have on a number. Currently 3DC just "guesses". It guessed wrong for Chamfer. Chamfer is supposed to be in "percent" so a stepping of 1 would be more appropriate.

Ken,

I won't be providing the old extrude since you can get exactly the same effect by extruding, constraining the z axis, holding down F and Ctrl and scaling (using the edit control).

Timo,

Nope. Sorry.

Richard

ACK... I'm stalled... I really need the Double Sided plugin...

I just did some extensive "point" manupulation...

The scalable point indicators are just what the doctor ordered...  I can't believe how much easier it was to "finely" adjust some closely spaced points...  NICE!

Unfortunately, I don't have the double-sided plugin source or I'd compile it and send it to you.

Richard

Sorry Richard - I am with Ken on this
I know I am a bit of a Luddite.

Try this

add a cube 1,1,1
extrude top face by 1
and again (top face by 1)
now select the three or four of the faces that make up the inner section
the old extrude would allow me to "bulge" this out - How would I do this in 6.1 ?

Although, besides this type of extrude, I like the new method better generally....

--------

Otherwise I am very happy with the new stuff (technical term) that you've added.

Just need more hours in the day to play more

You guys are lucky. I still can't get it to run at all on my work computer. Keep getting the 'run-time 5 error, invalid procedure call or arguement' response.

Vulcan,

Can you send the "3D Canvas.log" file to support@amabilis.com? (its in the Amabilis folder)

Alan,

???. Can you email me a picture of what the selection would be?

Richard

[quote author=pwillard link=board=3DCanvasProGeneral;num=1067051423;start=0#9 date=10/26/03 at 10:54:48]ACK... I'm stalled... I really need the Double Sided plugin...

[/quote]

Double siding is just a matter of selecting faces, copy, paste into the same group, set positions to 0,0,0, invert the new object and combine with original object

...Apologies for the delay, I was away for the weekend so I've only just got the alpha.
I've recompiled all my plugins for 6.1... I have not had a chance to test them yet so they may not work.

http://www31.brinkster.com/decapod/plugins601.htm

I definitely need the old extrude as well - both are useful. Try creating a cube, selecting all its edges, do a chamfer and then an extrude to see what I mean.

I can't understand how you get the old behaviour using the new extrude.

Actually, the behaviour makes sense. The direction of the extrude is "0" (the average direction of all of the faces). Normalizing 0 produces a vector pointing in the Z direction (the default in the environment I am using). I need to add a check that says if "0" don't do anything.

This behaviour might explain my choice for the original extrude that at first appears to be "wrong".

I'll add a "Extrude Wrong" checkbox to the new improved Extrude operation. No big deal. You gave me a good enough reason to add it.

Richard

[quote author=PaulGausden link=board=3DCanvasProGeneral;num=1067051423;start=0#14 date=10/27/03 at 06:41:41]

...Apologies for the delay, I was away for the weekend so I've only just got the alpha.
I've recompiled all my plugins for 6.1... I have not had a chance to test them yet so they may not work.

http://www31.brinkster.com/decapod/plugins601.htm
[/quote]

A small adjustment for those that have downloaded in the last 5 hours.
The Cab/Bunker builder did not appear in the list of plugins (does now)

Thank-you so much paul... I wasn't complaining at you... I just got "so into" a project with 6.1 (am I'm really liking it!) that I forgot to see which plugins were available...

This made possible  as a result of 6.1!
Used: New Extrude, Fine Point manipulation,  New Champfer (ROCKS!), etc...

Link is not permanant, sorry...  http://tkw.tzo.com:8080/test.jpg

I think I might have found a bug with the Subdivision Surfaces and texturing. Try this:

-Drag a cube into the scene
-Mirror it along the x-axis with smoothing amount of 1
-Texture the entire object, or a single face

The resulting smoothed object does not get textured. With more complex objects, the smoothed object can also become deformed sometimes. Also, it is interesting to note that if you texture a face, then texture another, and then undo it, the first face you textured will show up correctly on the smoothed model.

Hope this helps

Simon