Hi All,

3D Canvas 7.0.4.2 is now available for download: Download 3D Canvas 7.0.4.2

What's New in 3D Canvas 7.0.4.2
-------------------------------

o) New Plug-In Organization

Plug-ins are now organized within the 3D Canvas menus by type.


What's Fixed in 7.0.4.1
-----------------------

o) Rail Simulator Animation

3D Canvas now properly exports animations to Rail Simulator format.


o) Rail Simulator Export - Texture List

Fixed a problem where texture lists were not being properly exported for models with more than one texture. This may not have been a problem in practice since it seems to have been non-destructive.

This version requires updated plug-ins. I've released my plug-ins and made "preliminary" versions of most of Paul's plug-ins available. Both are available from the "plug-ins" page.

I have the source to most of Paul's plug-ins since I will be integrating many of them into 3D Canvas. I think Paul will want to re-release the plug-ins himself since I didn't have the source to all of them.

Richard

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

I should add that I can't say with 100% certainty that the animation export is now correct. I looked at what was provided with Rail Simulator and copied what they did as best I could.

In my opinion, there is a bug in Rail Simulator where there is a single key-frame pause when repeating an animation. Most of their animations have very large numbers of key-frames/second so it isn't noticable.

What I did was I generated key-frames so that every animation exported from 3D Canvas has 60 keyframes/second. I couldn't detect any pause on my computer. I don't know if it is pausing or not anymore, but I couldn't see it.

A big benefit of this 60/keyframes/second export is that animations created for MSTS now should work unchanged in Rail Simulator.

The documentation for Rail Simulator mentions a requirement for 16 key frames (or something like that), but I believe that is only for the 3DS MAX exporter since I haven't seen any samples that use 16 key frames.

Richard,

Just had a look at the new version and the wheel animation (steam) seems to work fine, now. There may still be a problem with the coupling rod (main wheel link) animation. The rod is pivoted to the front wheel and the rod seems to rotate about 5 degrees up for a fraction of a second at the half way point of the wheel animation.


Cheers,
Kevin

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

Hmmm... that could be my fault, that's for sure. It renders OK in 3D Canvas?

Can you send me the model? (support@amabilis.com)

Hi Richard,

Model sent to you.

It renders fine in canvas and also in MSTS.

Cheers,
Kevin

Hi Richard,

It seems that every time I log on to the forums, you've uploaded a newer version of 3DC.
I'm amazed at how fast you're making improvements.

I want to say 'Thank you.' for all the hard work you're putting into 3DC. I don't assume to speak for others, but I belive most would agree with me.

Mike Adams

Yes I would Second that, very good progress and a job well done. I not sure how you find the time. I would ask, can we have a version number added to zip name as its updated, I am scared I going start going backwards ;-)

quote:

Originally posted by mikeadams2k:
Hi Richard,

It seems that every time I log on to the forums, you've uploaded a newer version of 3DC.
I'm amazed at how fast you're making improvements.

I want to say 'Thank you.' for all the hard work you're putting into 3DC. I don't assume to speak for others, but I belive most would agree with me.

Mike Adams

What I do is to rename the .zip file name of each version, (to include the version number), when I download it.

Saves a lot of confusion!

Cheers,
Kevin

Thank you.

To be honest, I'm not always this active. Usually just during an active development cycle.

I understand why some developers distance themselves from the users of their products. It's very easy to take complaints personally. Also, some people take the personal contact with the developer as a way to make demands about the direction of the product. I've had both happen. But, I'm better at dealing with both these days. I think.

As for #'d releases... I've tried that. Web sites link to these numbered releases and then for all eternity they provide people with out of date release. Then I have to copy the up to date version into many numbered releases. It doesn't seem like much, but every little bit of effort required on my part takes away from development of the product and my ability to have a life. So, sorry, generally, I won't have numbered releases unless I feel there is a really good reason, which I do occasionally. But, you could re-number when you download them. That's a solution.

Kevin,

I have your model and am looking at it.

I hope we've not been too demanding over the past 6 years.
I think you've done a great job keeping up with the demands, there are not many developers that listen, even though they say they do.

At least the export for MSTS2 is already done, so that's one less worry

I wasn't trying to be silly about version names, I was just trying make a what I was thinking was a helpful suggestion, I do rename mine, when I remember.
Sorry it upset anyone

Thanks Paul. And thanks for the MSTS2 export. I think everyone here knows how important your contributions have been over the past years.

Big Peter,

I don't think you upset anyone. I agree with your suggestion in principal. It's just a problem for me in practice.