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Date: Wed, 10 May 1995 16:44:57 -0400 (EDT)
From: Joe Angell <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Questions For NewTek... Again
To: DawsonX Schaffer <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <Wed, 10 May 95 11:33:03 [e-mail]>
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Hi, Dawson.  I don't have LW 4,0 pre-release (I'm waiting for thw Amiga
version that should come with my Flyer), but here's what I remember from
the list (everyone: correct me if I'm wrong...)

> 1) I am running in 1024 x 768 64K color mode and the only render preview
> available seems to be nothing more than a postage stamp size on my
> screen.  I cannot seem to change its size regardless of the render
> resolution.  There is a setting for Render Frame Buffer, but I have no

I think JG mentioned that this will be fixed in the final release -- Full
screen will be possible.

> NewTek: What frame buffer?  Never seen that option.

The only buffer I can think of is the VT on the Amiga.  Beyound that, I'm
clueless (unless you have an IBM Framebuffer...)  Sorry, no clue.

> 2) The controls for generating and ANIM file are in the PC version but
> when selected they inform you that ANIMs can only be generated on an
> AMIGA.  What about PC FLIC or more appropriately AVI (Video for Windows)

Sorry, no idea.  I'd bet money that someone'll write a plug-in, though...

> 3) The wireframe previews in Layout.  They play at most 10fps and I
> cannot seem to get them to go any faster.  I also have a beta copy of
> TrueSpace (Caligari) and their wireframe preview can be played full
> screen at 60fps in all video modes (LightWave is still by far my favorite 3D
> package). What is my problem?  Are there plans for variable sized previews so
> that the 30fps can be obtained.

> NewTek: Wow, haven't heard of that one before...  It doesn't sound like a LW
> problem (since we've never heard of it).  Sorry there is not much we can do.

Stuart mentioned something about this -- right now, Layout puts the frames
up as fast as it can, which is pretty inefficient.  Allen is probobly
going to re-write that code so it WILL work as advertised...

> 4) The manual and box mention several plug-ins for rendering and loading
> and saving.  My pre-release copy did not come with any plug-ins (I have
> searched the CD).  With these plug-ins, will I be able to texture map
> with JPG, TIFF, etc.?  How about rendered file; JPG, TIFF, etc.?  It
> would be very nice to have all those file formats available for both
> texture mapping and rendering (saving).  What are the plans.

> NewTek:  They will be released with the Final 4.0.

Yup, no plug-ins in the pre-release.  Will be in 4.0, along with most of
th Modeller Arexx scripts as C-programed plug-ins.

> 5) Screamer Net.  I do not have Screamer Net, but I have already
> purchased a 120MHz Pentium system and I plan to buy another copy of
> LightWave for it.  Since they will be networked together with the Win95
> networking (WinSOC), will I be able to cooperatively render with the two
> machines.  If not, it seems silly to have to buy additional software
> when I already have to FULL blown copies of LW.

ScreamerNet is being replaced by LW 4.0 --re: it'll no longer be available
(from Chuck Baker, Sysop NewTek BBS).  You SHOULD be able to co-op render.
 One suggestion was to start rendering one machine from frame 0-X, and the
other BACKWARDS from frame X-0, and they'll meet in the middle.  Now, if
you can just find a programs to check for all the files you rendered and
stop the LW's when you're done...

> 6) Are there any plans to support some of the new video boards that are
> coming out with 3D rendering capability (i.e. - Matrox Video
> Impression).  These boards will automatically be support when Win95
> ships with the OpenGL (note: OpenGL will most likely be added after
> Win95 ships, as a patch or update).  I realize Win95 is still unreleased
> but what are the LightWave plans for these standards(OpenGL?) and the
> newer video boards?

> NewTek:  No!

Or, as Allen says (I think), wait till version 5, hen Open GL will be
supported on all platforms that support it (maybe an AMiga-like Open GL'll
exits -- 3D RISC?)

> 7) There is no mention in the documentation regarding the textures Steve
> Worley (APEX) did for LW 3.5.  Are there plans to include more of his
> textures as plug-ins for the final release?

Do you mean the Crust/Bump textures? My guess is that they should be there
in the final version at least -- if they're porting the Arexx scripts,
then why not the textures?

> 8) The final release.  There was no mention in the package of what was
> as yet missing from the pre-release.  Can I/we get some idea of what the
> final package will include.

> NewTek:  No official list (some items covered above)..

Beta testers have been pretty sketchy on requests -- and with good
reasons, as there may be new or killed features in the final version.  One
note is that IK will be changed by a fair amount (from Allen), but I have
no idea how much. (BTW, if you want some Docs for the Goals/IK in the
pre-release, I re-typed them from the Flyer .94 manual.  For some reason I
have the docs, but LW doesn't.  Go fig.  Check message archives or a can
forward you a new copy...)

I remember at one point (about 4 months ago) on the NewTek BBS, Chuck
Baker 9the SysOp) warned anyone interested in LW pre-release NOT to bug
Foundation Imagine about any new features (this was just after a B5
episode with some new bones/IK used in a holographic creature movement)
-- and also with good reason.  They're testers, not reporters, and they
have jobs.  Just an aside... (nothing directed to you, I mean.  Oh, I just
keep digging my self in deeper...)

Also, HIIP and Interchange will be in the release version.  I;m still
wonder about the Xaos tools though -- are just SGI, or ALL platforms?

Hope this helps (sorry to anyone whom I miss-credited)

-- Joe

--
Joe Angell <[e-mail]> sent this message.
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