About the V0.97 Preview Version
|
As with
the v0.96 preview release, I'm not waiting until I have the next full
"version" ready. I'm posting
snapshots of future release as they progress. For lack of a
better name they are know as previews.
This will give you a chance to see what's coming a bit earlier and help
find any bugs, and give me feedback on specific features sooner when
it's probably easier to make changes.
If
you are a
new Anim8or user then you probably should not be using
this version. Naive questions and incorrect problem reports will
not help the preview process.
If you want to try it out to see how the new features work then this is
the version for you. But you should be aware that it is likely
less stable than a released version. Don't use it for important
projects unless you're prepared to redo your work should something
happen.
You should also visit the Anim8or
v0.97 Preview forum. This is where you will find the
latest
information on problems and give your feedback to help decide how these
features will look when in an "official" release.
Note: The documentation isn't ready yet so you'll have to play
around with some things to see how they work. I have added a
summary of the new features and how to use them below. You can,
of course,
post questions in the preview forum.
Have
fun!
Steve
March 19, 2008
|
|
| New Features in v0.97a Preview |
The first v0.97 preview is
called the v0.97a preview
dated March 18, 2008. The major changes are:
- A ray tracer render called ART for Anim8or Ray Tracer.
You can use it to render all Anim8or materials plus reflections, transparency with glass like index of refraction
effects, glossy surfaces and
more. Here is a link to some initial documentation on how to
access these new features: art_raytracer
- You can
copy and paste materials with Ctrl-Shift-C and Ctrl_Shift-V.
- Movie
rendering size is saved as a project parameter.
- Several
other minor changes and bugs fixed including #096-002 - Cut Selected
Faces Can Crash and #096-007 Click-Drag in Drag-Select mode can crash
on window focus change
That doesn't
seem like a lot but it's quit a bit of new code.
|
|
| Download Preview Executable |
| This first
version of the 0.97a preview dated March 18, 2008 is
ready. Get a copy here: anim8or_v097a_preview.zip
Try it out and see how the new ART ray tracer works! |
|
| New Features in v0.96a Preview
|
The first preview is called the
v0.96a preview
dated July 31, 2007. The major changes are:
- .MTL file input and output support
(for .OBJ import and exported
files)
- Holding
the Control key down when selecting shapes in an Object or faces,
points or edges in the Point Editor allows you to click-drag the mouse
to select or deselect multiple things. If this is popular I may make it the
default and use the Control key to select just one thing (as it does
now).
- Add user attributes
to Objects, Figures and Elements. These are typed, named
variables of
int, float, point, orientation or string type. For example you
can
define a float attribute called mass
and set it to 10.5.
Currently they are only useful by programs that parse the .an8 format
but will be accessable from ASL scripts in the future. You define
these with the Object->Attributes command.
- Holding
the Cotrol key down when using the Cut Faces tool user only cuts
selected faces.
- A new
Edit->MovePoints command in the Pooint Editor that moves sepected
points by a precise amount.
- Show light frustums when lights are
selected.
- Improved UV tool.
Each shape in an object can define it's own UV widget that does planar,
cylindrical, sperical or normal projecton of texture coordinates onto
that shape. You can interactively move, rotate and scale the
widgent
in UV edit mode. Also UV widgets are saved with the shapes so
that the
UV tool doesn't force you to restart from scratch wach time you use it.
- Export binormals to the .an8 format
when Export Normals is set (and bump maps are used fore that shape).
- Add Cubemap Backgrounds to Scenes.
Any cube map texture can be used as a background in a scene.
- Fixed a
few bugs.
|
|
| Compatibility |
V0.96a should be able to read
previous versions of .an8 files. Though the opposite is not
entirely possible, it generally should work especially for the most
recent releases. Newly
added features will be ignored, of course, but shouldn't cause other
problems. |
|
| Download Preview Executable |
This first
version of the 0.96a preview dated July 31, 2007 is
ready. Get a copy here: anim8or_v096a_preview.zip
Try it out and see how the new features work!
|
|
| V0.95a Preview User Manual |
There
isn't an update to the manual for the v0.96a preview. Use the
regular manual, the notes on this page, and the v0.96 Preview forum for
help.
|
|
| Current Bug List |
A
current bug list can be found here v0.96_bugs.txt
I'll try and keep it current so you know what's happening.
|
|
Reporting Problems
|
In order
to keep the beta forum useful to everyone, please take the following
steps before you post:
1. Limit your posts to v0.96 preview problems or suggestions about the
new features. No wish lists, and no
pictures unless they are in support of a problem or question on how a
new feature works. You can post pictures as you normally do in
the Works In Progress and Finished Works forum.
2. Read through the other posts. Read through the current big
list. If your problem is already posted and you don't have
anything new to add, don't reply.
3. If you don't understand how Anim8or v0.95 works, you probably
shouldn't be posting in the v0.96 preview forum.
4. When you post a new problem topic you should:
a) Use a meaningful title. Titles like "Question?",
"Help!", "Big Crash!" are not meaningful.
b) If it's reporting a problem, give a detailed
description of what the problem is and how to reproduce it.
c) If it's a question on a new feature be as precise as you can.
d) Don't reply about a different topic besides the one the thread is
about.
e) If you have some unique feedback on v0.96 you can also post it here.
f) Use proper English sentences. Cutsie abbreviations are too
ambiguous and aren't nearly as helpful when I'm trying to understand
what you've said.
With these rules in mind if you think you found a problem or have a
question the place to post is the Anim8or v0.96 Preview forum.
Don't
ask for help with the v0.96 preview in the other forums. |