One step forward, two steps back. Both iClone2 and 3DXchange are easy to use, and have lots of useful features. But their export formats are pretty limited, at least they don’t export into x3d which is what I am looking for right now. iClone2 uses 2D formats, while 3DXchange only outputs to .vns format, which [...]

Posted in 3D, Format, Models, Software No Comments »

Before starting on Project Wonderland, I thought I’d boot up WindowsXP (on my Mac’s Parallels virtual machine) to look at iClone2 and see if I can find out what kinds of formats it exports things to. Here’s what I’ve discovered so far. Export Formats bmp 24 bit 32 bit jpg sliding scale 0-100% quality tga [...]

Posted in 3D, Avatar, Design, Format, Machinima, Models, Software, Wonderland No Comments »

While I’m at it, here’s a link to a tool for creating and testing x3d files, from the Web3D Consortium. It’s free. Click the logo at the left to go to the page about it.

Posted in 3D, Format, Software No Comments »

It appears that iClone2 doesn’t export to x3d. Rats! I could be wrong, though. I’ll look more closely. But first, what exactly is x3d? I’m doing a Web search on the subject now. Wolfram Mathematica’s page says x3d is: Web3D geometry format Used for distributing 3D models on the web and in media applications. XML [...]

Posted in 3D, Format, Software No Comments »

OK, so I’m a sucker for a good deal. I just signed up for Autodesk’s Maya PLE (Personal Learning Edition) and it’s downloading as we speak. The system requirements are: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (SP2 or higher) Apple® Mac OS® X 10.4.8 No Linux version, and I don’t have XP Pro, so I’m getting the [...]

Posted in 3D, Software No Comments »

Going back to the Reallusion® iClone2 software, I need to check the specifications for formats it can export. Project Wonderland presently requires x3d format, which they know can be exported by Autodesk Maya, but may be available from other applications, too. Oh, cool, Maya has a free version, as well as their very pricey enterprise [...]

Posted in 3D, Software, Wonderland No Comments »

Sorry, I just couldn’t resist that headline. I’ve just signed up for a developer account in Sun Microsystems’ lg3d Project Wonderland, which their website describes as a “multi-user virtual environment … to provide an environment that is robust enough in terms of security, scalability, reliability, and functionality that organizations can rely on it as a [...]

Posted in 3D, Metaverse, Software 2 Comments »

Welcome to new media on the go. Exactly what that means will be developed as we go (which is part of the self-referential meaning in itself), but for now I want to talk more about the new media aspect than the on the go part. I just received a couple of new products from Reallusion® [...]

Posted in 3D, Design, Metaverse, Models, Qwaq, SecondLife, Software No Comments »