>1. How are animations implemented in Revolution? I read that >it doesn't have a sprite engine, yet uses sprites? It supports gif animation. It also has an async move command, and supports transitions(built in, and QT visual effects). Check out some of the sample stacks/games at http://www.metacard.com/apps5.html, especially the bouncy game.
>Also, what >if any - 3D capabilities does Revolution offer? Revolution supports Quicktime VR. Supports for things like OpenGL can be added using externals. >I'm not entirely clear on the concept of "externals" in regards >to Revolution...Is an "external" a DLL- type architecture (bolt-on) >or an integrated, plug-in type architecture? Yes it's a plug-in type architecture like extras in directors..or plugins in realbasic. Externals are compiled C/C++ code which are distributed as DLLs on Windows, Code resources on Mac, and executables on Linux. Revolution can make callbacks to the external and vice versa. In addition Revolution 1.1. supports passing array and binary data to and from externals. The Revolution external api has callbacks which allow the external to draw to and manipulate Revolution windows and objects. >Is it possible to add a database to Rev (as an "external") and >still maintain the single, double-clickable executable for distribution? You can use Valentina (www.paradigmasoft.com). In addition Revolution 1.1. supports native access to MySQL, Oracle, and ODBC cross platform which is useful for accessing remote databases (although ODBC can be used to connect to MS Access databases on Windows). >4. What image and sound formats are utilized natively by Revolution? Revolution can import or reference jpeg,gif,png,bmp,pict,xwd,xbm,xpm and export to jpeg, gif, pbm, and png formats. Revolution also supports alpha masks for PNG images, as well as ink, and a blend proeprty which can be used to set the translucency of an image at runtime. As far as sound goes Revolution can import or reference AIFF, WAV, and ulaw formats and can record (using QT) to any sound format QT supports. > Can anyone offer insights as to how iShell and Revolution >compare on different features, stability, speed of development, >etc.? Revolution is built on top of the stable, and fast MetaCard engine which has been in active development for over 10 years, and supports most platforms out there (Mac, Win, Unix). The Revolution development environment (GUI) is young and therefore prone to the usual bugs (most of which are interface glitches, script errors)..but because your standalone application should be quite stable (on all platforms) as they rely on the engine. Tuviah
