Hi All,

3D Canvas 6.6.5.2 is available for download: Download 3D Canvas 6.6.5.2

If you downloaded the short lived 6.6.5.1, you probably don't need this download. The errors fixed in this version are fairly obscure.

Paul, I don't think your plug-ins will need recompiling.

Changes Since 6.6.5.0
---------------------

o) Improved Upgrading of 6.5.1.0 and earlier files

An add-in for 3D Canvas is now available on the downloads page that improves 3D Canvas' ability to import older files. It is quite effective it seems. I didn't include it in the main release because it is 4 MB's and I want to keep the 3D Canvas freeware version a small download. If someone opens an older file, 3DC suggests the add-in to improve the file upgrade.

o) Improved Merge Triangles and Consolidate Operations

A new option has been added to these operations to allow them to optionally merge faces with dissimilar materials.

o) Faster Rendering of Videos

Videos now render roughly 10 times faster than in earlier versions of 6.6

o) Improved Plug-In Performance and Reliability

Plug-ins should be much faster in this release, and much more reliable. For example, the Merge Faces plug-in is 10x-20x faster on large objects. Also, there was a serious memory leak in plug-ins that has been fixed. So, reliability is much better.

o) Rendering Improved

Previous versions of 6.6 showed white lines on texture boundaries. This is now fixed. Also, the rendering of faces with colinear edges is much improved. 3D Canvas internally removes colinear edges before rendering.

o) Double-clicking a file now opens the file properly in 3D Canvas

o) Improved Extrude and Sweep Object Builders

These object builders now resize control points and lines when a backdrop is selected.

I changed the orientation of one of the Extrude Object Builder's views (bottom right) to a more appropriate orientation.

o) Ghosting Improved

Ghosting now renders the key frames (non-ghosted images) first. This results in a better view of the animation.

o) Assorted Bug Fixes

I can't remember anything else off hand, but if I remember, I'll update this.

I'm planning to create a database of requested enhancements and bugs so that I can better prioritize and keep track of what is done in each release.

Richard

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Amabilis Support,

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Gausden:
My engineer plugin fails, but most of the others seem OK - fixes coming soon...

...
It probably means the Swap Texture plugin will also fall over if it trys to remove a texture from a material.

I just tried Swap texture file : "9 subscript out of range"

I was eager to test the new rendering without "white lines" and to bring good news.

Unfortunately no change :
6652

6510

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DOM107,

1) I clicked on a backdrop icone in the primary toolbar :
"An unrecoverable error has occured.... (#13)"

2) When converting a 6510 model, there are 2 layers called "Object Checkpoint".

What is this for ? To prevent removing a lower object layer created in 6510 ?

When I try to install 6652 I get an Error 1931. Translation of the message: Windows installer could not update msscript.ocx because the file is protected by the system. If I click on ok, installation continues but on program start 3DC crashes after the 3D test with an error #429. The links on your FAQ page concerning this error seem to be out of date.

My system. P4 2,4 ATI Radeon 9600.

And what do this red lines in my message want to tell me. They make me nervous

I tried 3D Canvas on four different computers and didn't receive Error #13 or Error #429 unfortunately.

DOM107,

I found a likely cause for why the white lines are showing for you. I was able to reproduce the problem by overriding the default Direct3D settings for my graphics card(s). So, in 6.6.5.2 I say "no white lines" to Direct3D, but the graphics card driver ignores it and does it anyhow. Going back to "default" settings should solve this.

I have no explanation for error #13. Does this happen with an empty scene? One thing I would suggest is uninstalling and re-installing. If it's a registry problem that should cure it.

Checkpoints are a way for 3D Canvas to ensure that a model doesn't change between releases. You have two here because each conversion state applies one. The first is the 3D Canvas Upgrader Add-In. The second is 3D Canvas 6.6.5.2 itself.

Klaus,

Error 1931 is non-destructive. I have no idea how to cure it unfortunately.

I've updated the FAQ. When you try the "REGSVR32" solution make sure to search for "REGSVR32" and "DAO360". The sample I gave only works in English. Also, what version of 3D Canvas were you on last?

quote:

Originally posted by Amabilis Support:
Error 1931 is non-destructive. I have no idea how to cure it unfortunately.

This message was displayed when I installed 6650 but not after uninstalling 6650 and installing 6652.
Maybe something was left in the registry before installing 6652 so that error 1931 doesn't occur?

quote:

Originally posted by Amabilis Support:
I have no explanation for error #13. Does this happen with an empty scene? One thing I would suggest is uninstalling and re-installing. If it's a registry problem that should cure it.

The #13 error occurs on an empty scene but also with a model loaded.

The Swap texture plugin error is due to 3DC or to the script?

Because of error 1931 not displayed again when installing 6652 and because of the above remark by Richard, I shall reinstall 6652 after normal uninstallation + folder removal + registry cleaning (the main registry entry to remove is obvious?).

Maybe 665 uninstallation doesn't clean registry enough?

quote:

Error 1931 is non-destructive.

Meaning?

quote:

Also, what version of 3D Canvas were you on last?

6502

quote:

Originally posted by Klaus:

quote:

Error 1931 is non-destructive.

Meaning?

You get the error message but it doesn't prevent 3DC from working properly.

quote:

Originally posted by Klaus:

quote:

Also, what version of 3D Canvas were you on last?

6502

665 version can be installed without uninstalling 650.
You got the 1931 because it was the first 665 installation (see my post above).

quote:

When you try the "REGSVR32" solution...

I did and it worked for #429. Now, 3DC tells me I have an invalid licence code (for pro). Oh well, its been a while since I last used it...

Updated Engineer plugin, fixed Swap Texture plugin (errored for a different reason) and added Pipe Builder 2 to the list...

http://www31.brinkster.com/decapod

Klaus, email me (support@amabilis.com) and I'll look into the license code problem (I'll need your name to look up your license).

DOM107, Uninstalling 6.6.5.0 SHOULD clean out the registry properly. In fact, 6.6.5.0 does a much better job than previous versions. It's important that it does because it corrects registry problem when it does. (which happens occasionally). The downside is that 3DC gives you all of the usual "Tips" as you work each time you install.

I'm still thinking about the error 13 issue. Maybe you could send me your "3d canvas.log" file from your "My Documents" folder, after the error occurs? It may give me a clue.

I've got to get the "extras" out for 6.6.5.2 today.

I'm getting so many downloads that I had to create a second download site. My current download site only permits about 40,000 downloads/month and it looks like I'll go way over this month.

quote:

Updated Engineer plugin,

Hi Paul,
Should the TS Engineer V3 now be working?
I get the following report...

91
Object variable or With block varable not set
Canvas6

Thanks

Bazza

quote:

Originally posted by Amabilis Support:
I'm still thinking about the error 13 issue. Maybe you could send me your "3d canvas.log" file from your "My Documents" folder, after the error occurs? It may give me a clue.

I just sent the log file. It looks like there is only one interesting line :
Error #: 13 Error Description: Type mismatch Error Location: Backdrop Options - Side View

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Gausden:
fixed Swap Texture plugin ...
and added Pipe Builder 2 to the list...

Both work OK; Thanks Paul !

quote:

Originally posted by Bazza:
Should the TS Engineer V3 now be working?
I get the following report...
91
Object variable or With block varable not set Canvas6

I tried TS Engineer V3; it works for me.
What parameters do you use ?

---------------------------------------------
When right-clicking on a face or point, the popup menu is long to show up (something like 3s and CPU reaches 100% just before the menu appears). It is not specific to this version.
No one has such problem ? Video driver problem ?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DOM107,

quote:

Originally posted by DOM107:
Error #: 13 Error Description: Type mismatch Error Location: Backdrop Options - Side View

A localization problem ?

I just tried cab builder and rail handtrail builder. If I leave default values such as 1.0 (point as decimal separator; english notation) : type mismatch
If I change values to like 1,0 (comma as decimal separator) then the plugin works OK.

You got it! I had the same idea and changed my computer's language to French. That did it. I just fixed it.

Your slow right-click response is probably due to large numbers of layers on an object. This may be out of my hands. I think it is the control that displays the list that is slow, but I'll put it on my list to try to improve.

I've got one more bug that I have to fix before I can put out a new version.

quote:

Originally posted by Amabilis Support:
Your slow right-click response is probably due to large numbers of layers on an object.

It happens also with a simple scene : a cube (!)

I would very much like to hear about this from some of the 635 registered 3DC users (and indicating what CPU and video card they have and if ATI video card, which Catalyst version; thanks !).

At least Richard you don't seem to have such problem (right ?).

I have no problems with the right click pop-up speed. I even did 50 various operations on the cube to try to slow it down. Was still right there. I haven't add in any plugins yet. This version works well here.

Machine:
P4 2.53 GHZ
Nvidia 6200 256Mb
512MB RDRAM

quote:

I tried TS Engineer V3; it works for me.
What parameters do you use ?

I've tried just about every setting possible.

Just tried v 6.5.1.0 and now the engineer plugin in that version causes an unrecoverable error and a crash. ...It ain't my lucky day

Bazza