Hi Wolfram.
this is the thread I think -
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=131041
I only have this 2nd hand - it was being talked of over at the Caligari Forums.
Yes - the real investment in the software is the time learning it, I
agree. But never the less with my experience of 3D apps not all apps
do everything. Most projects would require a number of apps to
complete. Most 3D artists these days have multiple 3D tool apps in
their 3D toolbox. Over the years we may buy a number of apps. Its
nice to see these apps developing with their userbase. Indeed their
userbase investing in this development via purchase of plugins and
upgrades. In the case of TS they threw in this curve ball without any
of the past userbase knowing it was coming. So having invested all
along it can come as a bit of a shock when this same apps current
version suddenly becomes free for all to use.
In my statement - "Apparently the app will keep on developing FOR
FREE" - you may have noticed the word APPARENTLY. Again from the
caligari forums and staff at these forums this - as far as they know
- is what will occur in the immediate future. But back to that word
APPARENTLY - I said this as I do not believe it will. I reckon this
is a stab at Google + Sketchup. In a while one will have Truespace
Basic ( free / maybe crippled in some way ) and Truespace Pro ( pay
for it ). This after they gather a sizeable market out of users using
7.6 for nothing for a while. Who knows - now that MICROSOFT own the app.
"TOM Mullen's books about char animation"
Yes - I have this book, it is a very well put together book. BUT,
from experience AND discussion with Tony over the following very
point - It does not include any tuition on the new NLA / Character
Walk Cycle Modifier procedures added at 2.45/2.46. The latter was a
large leap in char anim in Blender and makes older procedures
discussed in the book a little redundant. If one seeks information
online re newer modifier procedures - one hits a bit of a wall - not
too many people are familiar yet with new procedures in this regard.
Outside of that - I use Blender - I think it is an excellent app free
or not AND do not have any problems with the Interface as some do or
its development. I have used Blender in conjunction with Realsoft and
Modo, mainly for Character Animation of models from these apps. In
Modo's case I was able to bring the animation back via .MDD format
to final Render and Texture. In RS'es case - Well In my opinion -
Character Animation in RS is a fare bit behind, but thats for another
day. AND no .MDD or full .FBX support - yet! ( as in RS 6 supports
FBX, but APPARENTLY only for model data, not anim data )
With regard to any mention of blender in my previous email, I just
mentioned it as I came across discussions on same, nothing more,
nothing less - shooting the breeze!
Cheers
Aidan
At 22:20 27/07/2008, you wrote:
Aidan O Driscoll schrieb:
Hi Guys,
I suppose you all know by now, TRUESPACE ( originally by Caligari,
but who recently got taken over by MICROSOFT ) is now FREE -
forever. This is the latest version too - last week it would have
cost you $595 or so:
http://www.caligari.com/Products/trueSpace/tS75/brochure/intro.asp?Cate=BIntro
All you need to do is go to download button - login OR register (
free ) - and download.
Not alone is the app now free but also ALL the original paid for
training videos.
This is not a limited offer and the app is NOT CRIPPLED. Their is
no catch .. really!
From the Caligari Forums info has seeped through that over at the
Blender forums ( www.blenderartists.org ) - they are complaining
about TS being made free. Now thats a good one :)
Sorry, but I couldn't find any remark about it at the URL specified :(.....
But indeed - will this have any impact on the 3D industry at all? I
know that some complain about TS and its interface. But it has a
huge toolset, does the lot inc Char Anim, is hugely oriented to
virtual world stuff and gaming.
The REAL investment in 3D software is NOT the price for the Program
but in LEARNING to use it ;-).......
Apparently the app will keep on developing FOR FREE,
How's THAT ? No app can develop itself out of nothingness ... and
apparently (and HERE does this qualifying
adverb really fit) they did NOT publish the source or have any
intention to support freelance development further
on (as the Blender people do who work under the GPL / Creative
Commons licence), so this seems to be a
dead end :(.....
so its not abandonware - yet. Be that as it may - this is not a
free previous version - this is a free CURRENT VERSION!
As you mentioned the Blender community - I strongly encourage
anybody interested in 3D programs to have a look
at what a free AND supported app is capable of (look also for the
latest TOM Mullen's books about char animation
& particles/plants in Blender and their new SIGGRAPH contribution -
the Big Buck Bunny movie)
Wolfram
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