Resources

Anim8or Related Software

Banjo has put together a web page with a list of over a dozen different programs that have been either made specifically to work with Anim8or, or have been modified to include special support for it. Check them out!

http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/banjos3d/lists.html

Some useful programs that are designed to use with Anim8or:

  • Ani2Pov converts .an8 files into PovRay format as well as into videoscape .obj files and .ase filed. By texel. PovRay is a free raytracer (under the GPL v3 license). It can make some very stunning images.
    http://texel3d.free.fr/projets/ani2pov/index.html
  • LibAn8 is a library/Software Development Kit (SDK) which utilizes OpenGL to load .an8 files within your C++ applications. It's also written by texel and can be used for non-commercial and commercial uses under a BSD-Style license.
    http://texel3d.free.fr/projets/liban8/index.html

Using Anim8or on Linux

You can run Anim8or on the Linux operating system with the Wine Windows emulator. The latest working version that's been reported is Wine-0.9.49 under Ubuntu Linux 7.10, with the 2.6.22-14-generic kernel. Most later versions work well, too.

Using Anim8or Models in C Programs

If you are a programmer and want an easy to use Anim8or models in your program, this is for you. You can export a C source file from the Object Editor with the Object→Export command. Choose the "C Source File (.c)" format. You'll need the Anim8orExport.h header file for struct definitions. Here's a little program that spins an Anim8or model around, including source: a8viewer.zip

This version has been updated to work with v0.8 or later export files. Sorry but I don't have the time to help with C programming or OpenGL questions!

The Anim8or File Format: .an8

Here is a description of the .an8 file format for those of you that are interested in reading or writing .an8 files from other programs: an8_format.txt

Other Useful Resources

CGTrader has over 100,000 high quality 3D models of every imaginable kind that you can use in Anim8or. There are low poly models, highly detailed ones, and models designed for 3D printing. Many are free while others are for sale. Plus you can post your own models for either free download or for sale.

There are also modeling and design challenges, a discussion forum, job listings and more.

www.cgtrader.com

Make sure that you download models in the .obj or .3ds format if you want to load them into Anim8or.

Conv3ds is a utility included in the mssdk that will convert .3ds files to .x files. It can be found (in a normal mssdk install) under /mssdk/bin/DXUtils/XFiles. Export to .3ds and run this utility, then use in whatever direct x fashion you want. It can do animations with the -A option, but Anim8or doesn't currently export .3ds animation keyframes. You might need to specify the -m option to get it to work.

(Thanks to Richard for posting this info.)

UV Mapper is a freeware program that generates a texture file from your model file (for .obj files). You can then paint a texture image in any paint program and see where it will be on your model. It is really helpful if you're also using an outside program like Bryce and/or Poser to render your Anim8or models.

There are two versions, UVMapper Classic which is free and an inexpensive UVMapper professional and has a free demo. You can download both at:

http://www.uvmapper.com

with tutorials at:

http://www.uvmapper.com/tutorials.html

The site also has duscussion forums.

(Thanks to Har for posting this.)

Planit 3D is a 3d related web site with some good free models and textures. The models are in the .3ds format an can be impoted into Anim8or.

http://www.planit3d.com

Construct8or 100% free, is a 3d model construction system comprising re-usable metal strips, plates, angle, girders, wheels, axles and with nuts and bolts to connect the pieces. It enables the building of working models and mechanical devices. It comes with a 15 page manual, and you load it into anim8or. Similar to Meccano, Erector sets and vintage construction toys.

http://www.ianroz.com

Bink is a freeware video editor that allows you to add .mp3 and .avi sound to your movies and much more. The Rad Game Tools site has other useful things as well. The URL is:

http://www.radgametools.com

Stereo output is a cool thing. You can find stereo software and related resources to help create red-blue and other stereo images at:

http://www.stereoscopy.com/downloads/

If you need plants of any kind, then Plant Studio is for you. It's a free modeling application that lets you export an amazing number of plant models to many popular formats, including 3ds that Anim8or can read:

http://www.kurtz-fernhout.com

Terragen creates realistic landscape meshes that can be imported into Anim8or:

http://www.planetside.co.uk/terragen/news.shtml

Kerkythea is a free raytracer. You can use it to render images of .3ds and .obj files that you export from Anim8or:

http://www.kerkythea.net/cms/

3DMD has some 3d modeling tutorials and free textures:

http://www.3dmd.net/

texel has several useful programs and projects on his web site (in addition to Ani2Pov and LibAn8 mentioned above):

http://texel3d.free.fr/projets/index_en.html