This document is updated frequently. You can find the latest updates
at www.amapi.com. 
  

General
Modeling
Imports/Exports
Printing
Rendering
Animation
3Space

IBM-PC or compatible minimum configuration

Pentium 200 Windows 95/98/Me or Windows NT 4.0/2000 64 MB RAM 100 MB free disk space Screen with 32,000 colors Screen resolution 800x600 pixels OpenGL-accelerated board

Apple Power Mac or compatible minimum configuration

Power Macintosh Mac OS 8.1 or above 62 MB RAM (50 MB for Amapi 3D) 100 MB free disk space Screen with 32,000 colors Screen resolution 800x600 pixels

Is Amapi 3D bilingual? Can I change the language of the Amapi 3D Interface?

Yes. Easily! In the Preferences/Workspace (or Interface) menu you can change the language from English to French (and back).

Mac: What extensions are needed to run Amapi 3D?

If Amapi 3D can’t be launched, it may be necessary to restart with all extensions turned off, except for the following: QuickDraw 3D, QuickTime, your graphics card driver, your printer driver (if needed).

Mac: Which version of OpenGL should I install?

The Apple OpenGL version required by Amapi 3D is on the Amapi 3D CD. If Amapi 3D fails to work in OpenGL mode, install this version.

Mac message: QuickTime lib is missing.

You must enable the QuickTime and QuickTime PowerPlug extensions for PowerPC. However the QuickTime GX extension should not be enabled.

Mac: After installing on Mac, Amapi 3D does not start and displays: MPLibrary missing.

Check the Mac Os installation and extension settings. If a previous version of Amapi 3D has already been installed successfully, try rebooting your system.

How can I learn how a tool works?

The Assistant Palette, located above the graphical area, displays context-sensitive help messages. These messages will guide you through each step of object construction. (You can also read the Amapi 3D documentation <smile>.)

Why do some objects have duplicate names?

Some tools allow you to copy objects. During the copy action, the object name is copied without change. Amapi 3D supports duplicate names. To change the name of an object, select the object, enter the new name in the name window (lower left corner), and validate (press Return).

After some actions, the display looks bad. How can it be refreshed?

To save time during large object manipulation, Amapi 3D does not always do a full scene redraw. Press CTRL-T to refresh the screen.

Mac: Is it possible to resize the Amapi 3D window on Mac?

No, it isn't. Amapi 3D can run only in full screen mode.

Why don't the following constraints work with Amapi 3D: Shift or CTRL+Shift?

They should. Check the Preferences/Constraint Settings menu item and see if the two boxes are checked.

Catalog Objects/Materials bookmarks

When you open the Catalog, it always opens with the Objects tab on top, even if the previous time you worked with the Materials. Also, if you open the Materials tab and you select an Objects bookmark, nothing is displayed. It is the same if you open the Objects tab and you select a Materials bookmark.

What can I do if I get a damaged (corrupt) file or if Amapi 3D crashes?

With Amapi 3D, as with any other program (graphics or otherwise) you should proceed as follows: Save your file at every step along the way: save your file as gizmo_1, gizmo_2,… gizmo_n). If something happens (e.g., Amapi 3D crashes) and the gizmo_n file becomes damaged, you can start working again from the gizmo_n-1 file. This way you have a clean file to work on and you will avoid losing a lot of work (and time and effort). ALSO: Don’t forget to set the following options appropriately: - Edit/Preferences/Security Settings - Backup file (with time interval) - Crash file (give it a name!)

Why doesn’t the Hull tool work with my curves?

About Hull surfaces (3 curves): - All the curves MUST have a null dimension (x or y or z = 0) and each curve MUST lie in a different plane: xy (z=0), xz (y=0), and yz (x=0). - The section and the outline must share a common point: you must apply one point of the section curve to one point of the outline curve with the snap tool, or when you are beginning to draw a curve from the last point of the previous one, hold the SHIFT key to be forced on this point. If this doesn't work, check each curve with the single axis scale to be sure that when the curve was drawn on the xy axis, the z value was 0.00. You have to decide for yourself (depending on your project and how you see it) which curve is the section curve, which is the outline, and which is the profile. TIP: Use a cube or modify its dimensions to make a bounding box for your curves! You will be sure to draw 2D curves. Remove three faces if you want to work easily.

Why can't I generate a Coons surface from the curves I have just drawn?

For Coons surfaces, the 1 to n curves you draw will make a closed shape. The common end points of the curves must be connected (use the Shift key). Before leaving the tool, you can change the surface orientation by using the +/- keys.

Why can't I generate a Gordon surface from the curves I have just drawn?

Basically, the curves drawn to make a Gordon surface must be arranged like a ladder: you need to draw latitude curves connected to longitude curves. Be careful to not connect longitude curves together.

Why doesn't the selection of angular breaks in the smoothing tool work when breaks are set?

Setting breaks by hand is not compatible with automatic breaks, so the selection of angular breaks is deactivated.

What are the Smoothing tool options?

Partial Smoothing: If you select some points on the current object and then you select the Smoothing tool, only the selected area will be smoothed. If you select the Smoothing tool and then you select some points on the current object, the selected area will be excluded from the smoothing action.

Why can't I bend a cube with a curve?

The bending tool can bend rectangular sections, but they must be defined with more than 2 points (like the bending curve). Otherwise nothing happens.

How can I change the tangents on a NURBS curve?

In Amapi 3D, after creating a NURBS curve you can edit the tangents with the Stretch tool: - Click on the NURBS curve, then - Select the Stretch tool, then - Press CTRL-Spacebar. - Pick any of the highlighted points along the curve. - Pick that point again to move the point, or pick the endpoint of the tangent vectors to adjust it.

How can I get the "Circle of Influence" in the Mold tool?

It used to be toggled on and off with the spacebar in Amapi 3D Studio 3.0. Since version 4.0, you need to press CTRL-spacebar.

Mac: I'm having problems on PowerMac with the Text tool.

On Mac, it is possible that the EPS fonts (PostSscript type font 1) in the system folder cause problems with the Text tool. If Norton Utilities 3.5 is installed in your system, it may allow you to unfreeze your machine and continue working with the Text tool.

Hint for the Boolean tool

To get clean edges, it is better to smooth the objects BEFORE performing a Boolean operation.

Hint for the Chamfer tool

If you experience a problem with the Chamfer tool, remove coplanar faces. This is done via the Object Information dialog.

How can I be sure to leave an extrusion open at the ends, or capped at one end only?

With the Extrude and the Sweep tools: - To create an extrusion open at both ends, leave the tool WITHOUT validating (Return). - To close one end, click the end you want with the wand and leave the tool WITHOUT validating (Return). - To close both ends, just validate (Return).

What is the meaning of "Triangulate curved faces" (from the Object Information dialog)?

Curved faces (i.e., nonplanar faces) will be subdivided into triangular faces (which will be planar). This is useful, for example with the thickness tool, to avoid errors that would be caused by working with nonplanar faces.

What is the meaning of "Triangulate N-sided faces" (from the Object Information dialog)?

Amapi 3D (like all 3D programs) uses faces with 3 or 4 points. Some tools may not work properly with complex faces or the rendering may look bad. In this case, Undo the action (CTRL+Z (PC) or Command+Z (Mac)), triangulate faces with more than 4 points, then do the previous operation again.

What is the meaning of "Kill coplanar faces" (from the Object Information dialog)?

The faces lying in the same plane will be merged to make a single face (certainly with more than 4 points). This is sometimes useful, for example with the chamfer tool.

What is the meaning of "Suppress confused points" (from the Object Information dialog)?

This is used to "clean up" an object. It means to remove points that have the same coordinates in order to avoid topology errors.

What is the meaning of "Convert to polyhedral" (from the Object Information dialog)?

This button is enabled when the object is a NURBS curve or surface. If you select this choice, the NURBS object will be converted to a polyhedral object. Its NURBS properties will be permanently lost.

What is the meaning of "Convert to mesh" (from the Object Information dialog)?

If you select this choice, the Dynamic Geometry properties will be lost. If the object is dynamically smoothed, the smoothing will be generated (all the faces). So if the object is a NURBS, it will keep its NURBS properties (it will not be converted to a polyhedral object).

Why can't I triangulate a basic primitive (sphere, cube)?

Basic primitives are made up of triangles or rectangles so it is not necessary to triangulate them. The tessellate tool can be used if you want to perform this operation anyway.

How can I create the intersection point of two curves?

You can do a Boolean operation with 2 secant curves and you will get their point of intersection (you will also get 4 curves).

Gordon surfaces generated from interpolated polylines (limitation)

Why isn't it possible to modify a Gordon surface with Dynamic Geometry if it was generated from interpolated polylines? It is a limitation due to the fact where the central curves are not connected to an interpolation point, but on any one. If the end point of a curve is confused with an interpolation one, it is not possible to locate them on the middle of the curve when you are connecting another curve. The best thing to do is to avoid this kind of curve and to use, for example, a simple polyline on which you will specify the control points and with which you will be sure to connect them correctly, and then apply the smoothing tool. You will get a net of smoothed polylines which will be connected through their interpolation points and you will be guaranteed to be able to modify them with the Dynamic Geometry.

How can I obtain a smooth object after welding and smoothing two objects?

The weld tool does not remove the common faces of the two welded objects. So when you apply a smoothing to the result, it seems to have a discontinuity. The smoothed object looks like the two original objects were smoothed independently. To avoid that, just remove the common faces before or after welding the objects.

Some files with smoothed objects in Amapi 3D are faceted when Exported.

In the Preferences/IO Settings menu, activate the I/O Smooth objects check box and enter the smoothing angle (default 30°) for the selected format.

How do I convert Mac Amapi 3D files to PC?

To convert Mac Amapi 3D files to PC, just add a .a3d suffix.

How do I convert PC Amapi 3D files to Mac?

To convert a PC Amapi 3D file to Mac, you must edit it with a resources editor on the Mac and give it the following resources: Type: AMAS and Creator: AMAP.

Why are the shapes of the curves generated by Amapi 3D as DXF 2D files sometimes altered?

To export curves as DXF 2D files, when the print screen appears, change the 72 dpi value to 1,000 dpi. This will prevent the shapes of the curves from being altered.

What is the DXF Format level supported by Amapi 3D 5.0?

Amapi 3D imports and exports files up to DXF 14.

What is the IGES Format level supported by Amapi 3D 5.0?

Amapi 3D imports IGES ISO 5.3 and exports IGES 3.2l.

When exporting an Illustrator file from Amapi 3D, an error message appears when trying to open it with Illustrator.

Try to clear the measurements (even if they do not appear) in Amapi 3D before exporting the file.

When imported into Adobe Illustrator, the file shows an orthogonal view, not a perspective view .

The Adobe Illustrator export is connected with the Printer preferences.: If the Print to Scale check box is checked, the scene is forced into an orthogonal view.

Importing OBJ files generated by POSER produce error messages when trying to save the Amapi 3D file. What's wrong?

POSER creates files with a strange scaling. This may produces unexpected result into Amapi 3D. Just rescale the object (10 times bigger) and save the file.

Why, when the scene is forced to plane perspective (orthogonal mode), is the printing window not scalable?

In Amapi 3D, when the scene is forced to plane perspective and is sent to the printer, the same function as "print to scale" is used, even if it is not selected in the Printer Settings. This function works with the paper format available in your printer. Amapi 3D will use the scale factor parameter (100.00 = 100%; 25.00 = 25%;…).

Can I print and render an image with dimensions?

Amapi 3D allows you to print only in wireframe mode with dimensions and/or hidden lines and/or scale (in this case, the view is forced into orthogonal mode). If you want to print a rendered image, you must use the menu Render/Render to file and specify a name to make a PICT (Mac), BMP, JPEG, TIFF, or TGA file. This file can be printed through another program such as Photoshop, but not with Amapi 3D. A rendered image doesn't show the dimensions.

Hints about the check boxes in the Printer Preferences dialog?

In the Printer Preferences, there are some check boxes to set the printed format: - Print the measurements. - Print in hidden lines mode. - Print with scale. If this box is selected, the printing window is shown as your printer paper sheet, and it will not be possible to resize it. You will have to modify the scale factor to adjust your scene with the paper size. This feature forces the scene into 2D orthogonal mode (because it is not possible to take measurements on a perspective model).

Why do I only print in wireframe mode when I am in the Amapi 3D working area?

In its working area, Amapi 3D maintains vector objects only and sends wireframe data to the printer. It can print with measurements, with scaling… (see Printer Preferences). So, to print a rendered image, go to Render/Render to file, render the image to a file (e.g. BMP) and then use another imaging tool to open the image file and send it to the printer. You may even be able to drag-and-drop the file directly onto the printer icon.

What kind of images can I use to map onto my objects? Why can't I use CMYB images?

You computer uses the RGB (Red Green Blue) system to generate perfect True Color images. The CMYB (Cyan Magenta Yellow Black) system was created because the inks of printers are not perfect; now some printers use 6 or 8 colors to improve this.

How can I generate a rendered image?

First of all, open the Render/Setup Render menu and set the parameters: Shadows, Background color, Anti-aliasing,… Render file: Picture size in pixels. The image is generated at 72 dpi resolution. If you need better resolution (e.g. 300 dpi) for printing purposes, generate an image with a bigger size. When you have the picture the way you want on the screen (perspective, lighting, shading, etc.) use the Render/Render to file menu item to record it as a BMP, TGA, PCT, TIFF or JPG file. Then open this file with Photoshop (or equivalent) to change the image resolution (e.g. 72 to 300 dpi), change the mode from RGB to CMYB, and print it.

How come some materials are not displayed in the catalog?

The materials displayed in the catalog are procedural 3D textures (shaders) and they can be applied to objects by Drag and Drop. The materials not displayed in the catalog are images (bitmaps) and they can be applied to objects with the "Apply an image" button in the Rendering interface. You can save them as new materials after applying them to an object.

When I try to map some images onto my object, why does Amapi 3D show an error message?

The images used for the mapping must be RGB or gray level images. They cannot use indexed colors.

How can I apply the same material to a group?

By default, materials are applied to the current object. To apply a material to a group, just hold the shift key while dragging and dropping the material on the group.

Why does an object mapped with a bitmap material lose its material when it is opened after being saved?

If you use bitmap materials with your objects, the images must be copied into the same folder as the object to which they are applied

How can I change the texture on an object to which an Active Style has already been applied?

To apply a new texture, first delete the Active Style, then apply the new texture you want.

Does Amapi 3D import any of these file formats: GIF, PICT, or JPEG?

Amapi 3D can use bitmap files such as BMP, TGA, JPG, TIFF, and PICT as images to be mapped on objects for rendering purposes only, or to generate a rendered bitmap file. You can also use the HeightField tool to create a 3D object from an image.

Why does this strange icon appear when I use the color triangle on a Mac?

The FinderPop extension displays this icon when you press the mouse key for a long period of time. Just ignore it.

On the Mac, the color triangle looks bad in thousand colors mode.

Switch to True Color mode to avoid the problem.

How many texture layers can I apply on the same object?

The number of texture layers is limited to 4. Before version 6 there was no limit.

Keyframer limitations

The Keyframer doesn’t work with 2D curves: it works only with meshes and volumes.

A scene with several animated objects

In a scene with several animated objects, make sure you set the same number of frames per object in each object’s Keyframer.

Camera animation: Why does the scene remain steady when seen through a moving camera?

In the Render/Setup Render menu, you must select camera0 (or camera1…) instead of Amapi 3D view.

3Space

What can I do with 3Space?

3Space allows you to create interactive 3D animations for the web. A 3Space document has three components: an HTML document, an XML file, and several ZAP geometry files. Amapi 3D allows you to create simple scenes and to export them to 3Space.

Where is the ZAP export I used in Amapi 3D 5?

With Amapi 3D 5, one could create ZAP files containing static geometry. With Amapi 3D 6, the ZAP export is replaced by 3Space. In fact, the ZAP files remain the 3D file format of the 3Space technology but the current format has evolved to contain more reconstructive geometry and amazing animations based on a physics engine. The 3Space player cannot read directly the ZAP files without having the associated HTML and XML files. We recommend that users stop using the ZAP export of Amapi 3D 5 and move to the 3Space technology.

Can I mix keyframe animations and 3Space animations?

No, it is not possible. These two modes are not compatible.

Some collisions are not detected. What is going on?

The physics engine computes the frames at constant steps. For some complex shapes, it may miss some collisions.

Objects seems to vibrate when I specify certain behaviors. Why?

Depending on the size and the density of the objects, the physics simulation may produce vibrations. To avoid this, increase the damping force (attenuation).