Stars of Shareware: Raytrace & Morphing/SOS-RAYTRACE.ISO/programm/texte/ipas.txt

Text File | 1994-04-25 | 40.5 KB | 970 lines

External 3D Studio IPAS Routines From Third Party Developers

Last Updated: January 30, 1994   by Greg Pyros, CIS #73027,3632


One of the factors making 3D Studio such a huge success is the capability of
adding external routines to customize the program for your needs.  This is a
listing of the programs from the major developers of add-on IPAS programs:
Pyros Partnership, Inc., Schreiber Instruments, the Yost Group, Enthead
Konsulting and BlackBox.  This is by no means a complete list, as more
programs will be coming out specifically geared to the additional capabilities
of Release 3, but these companies are the leaders in the IPAS revolution.

I will be continuously updating this file as new programs become available.
Please send me information on your programs in this format to include.

Every update will have a "*** New Program ***" or "*** New Section ***" by
every item that is new for that release of IPAS.TXT.  Search for that string
if you are updating from a previous version!

Enjoy!
Greg Pyros


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Pyros Partnership, Inc. - Action IPAS Libraries

The Pyros Partnership, Inc. has authored many routines for the creation of
special effects within 3D Studio, in addition to many utilities.  Their
SunPath IPAS routine has become the standard method of animating shadow
studies, and their image processing effects add a softness and surrealism to
any animations.  In addition, they write many custom routines on contract, and
drivers and utilities for various hardware companies.  These programs are
available through your 3D Studio dealer or direct from Pyros Partnership, Inc.
Pyros Partnership proudly carries every routine from all the manufacturers
listed in this file.

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*** New Program ***

NDUMP.IXP  -  The Network Dump IPAS Program

Finally!  An IPAS program that can gather all your files rendered on a
network in 3D Studio and take them out to tape in order or do any other type
of work on them while you continue to render on that machine!

Add this 3D Studio IXP process to your Video Post settings, and the program
will verify when your first frame is completed on the network server.  If the
frame is not complete, your machine just goes back to rendering.  When it sees
the first complete frame, it acts on it by running any batch file you desire,
passing the proper parameters to it.  It can then optionally delete the
frame from your hard disk when it is completed processing the batch file
with no errors.  NDUMP then checks for the second frame.  If it is
completed, it processes it, and looks for the nest one.  When it finds a
frame that is not complete, it goes back to rendering.

This process will work with any videotape output devices that can be
controlled from a DOS batch file, either tape decks or Digital Disk Recorders.

-----------------------

I.  SUNPATH LIBRARY

This routine has already stood up in a court of law for accuracy!

1.   SUNPATH.PXP

Calculate and animate the Sun's path throughout the course of a day.
Absolutely required for architectural shadow studies.  Optionally, it can
animate our Moon or any other planet in the Solar System, also!

-----------------------

II. TRANSITIONS LIBRARY

These programs can all be used as transitions and special effects.  They can
be used to start a transition with one image, either an animation or a still,
create an effect with it, and come out of the effect with another image.

1. PGFLIP.IXP

Duplicate the expensive Digital Video Effects (DVE) found in major post
production houses, flip an image into the distance and then continuing the
flip with either another or the same animated image.

2. QUATRO.IXP

Divide the screen into any given number of rectangles up to 64 by 64, each
having a copy of the original image.  Animate this one for lots of effects!

3. ROTATE.IXP

Take the entire image and rotate it the specified number of degrees, animating
as it goes.

4. SQUASH.IXP

Take an image and reduce it by the specified percentages, in either the X or Y
dimension, or both, or start with a small image and enlarging it to fill the
entire screen.

5. SWIRL.IXP

Turns any image into an animated whirlpool!  Spins either from the inside or
the outside, clockwise or counter-clockwise, with either a fixed border
attached to the edges of the frame or one that breaks free and start rotating.
Combine it with ROTATE and SQUASH for a spectacular effect!

-----------------------

III.  EFFECTS LIBRARY

This group of programs was created to be used as a special effect for either
computer animations or rotoscoped live video.  The LINE program has some
fantastic effects with live images!

1. BRICK.IXP

Apply a three dimensional brick pattern under the image.  It looks as if you
are projecting a movie of your scene on a brick wall!

2. CRACK.IXP

Apply a cracking or peeling three dimensional pattern under the entire image
or parts of it controlled by the Alpha channel.  It looks as if you are
projecting a movie of your scene on an old plaster wall!

3. DRIP.IXP

Take individual pixels and drip them down or across the screen!  Your whole
image or parts of it controlled by the Alpha channel will appear to soften and
shimmer.

4. LINE.IXP

Create an "auto trace" line drawing of selected parts of an image controlled
by the Alpha channel of an image, using a user-defined color for the
background, or having a randomized background where random parts of the
background image show through between the lines.

5. PLAQUE.IXP

Place a mosaic of user controllable animated black-bordered plaques on the
image in areas determined by the Alpha channel. Looks like the image was
created with individual tiles.

-----------------------

IV.  MEDIAS LIBRARY

The programs in this group have been written to make your images look like
they were created in other media.

1. OLDMV.IXP

Turn your still or animation into what looks like an old time movie, complete
with random scratches and dust particles, fungus, color loss, sepia, and
wobble the image both vertically and horizontally!  Look out Charlie Chaplin!

2. BMASK.IXP

Highlight or distress the contribution made to the total image appearance by
specific color bits.  The results can range from the look of an infra-red
photograph to wild psychedelic colors!  It effects either the entire image or
portions of it constrained by the Alpha channel.

3. GRAYS.IXP

Take an image or an Alpha controlled portion of it and transform it into a
user definable grayscale palette, and optionally animate the number of grays
in the image over time.

4. NEGAT.IXP

Create a color negative of an image or parts of an image controlled by the
Alpha channel for an otherworldly effect.  Incredible animation effects!

5. PIXEL.IXP

Pixelize an image in areas controlled by the Alpha channel and animates the
pixel size as it works!

-----------------------

V.  FILM LIBRARY

This much-requested program can be used to make a video image look like it was
originally shot on film and transferred.

FILM.IXP

Add a user-definable amount of film grain to an image.  It can help remove
that 'computer generated' feel to your images, and is absolutely indispensable
when mixing live images with computer animation on film, print, or videotape.

-----------------------

VI. UTILITIES LIBRARY

These are all indispensable utilities for 3D Studio animators.  Everything
from assisting with the manipulation of your rotoscoped maps to verifying
images before taking them out to tape is included for your everyday use.

1. HBLUR.IXP

Add a user-defined amount of softening through horizontal blur to selected
portions of your image.  It is excellent for blending pixels which may
scintillate in maps or in detailed geometry, and is the only such program to
work with field rendering!

2. THERMO.IXP

Adjust the overall color temperature of your image.  This will take the whole
image or selected portions of it based on the Alpha channel and make it appear
'warmer' or 'cooler'.

3. BRTCON.IXP

Adjust the brightness and contrast of your images or those you rotoscope in
from live video.  Absolutely indispensable utility for serious 3DS users.

4. DEFIELD.IXP

Take images that were brought in live or rendered with fields and remove the
fields totally!  It not only removes the fields, it optionally blends in the
new lines to avoid reducing the resolution of the image!  Required for using
images with fields as maps, or before re-scaling the images.

5. LEGAL.IXP

Automatically make sure that all your colors are legal for video.  This will
avoid all the over saturation and bleeding that are normally associated with
computer images.  It can also mark the offending colors with any color you
choose so you can see where the problems are.  Similar to the R3 capability,
but allows you to specify the color for easier adjusting.

6. JPEG.IXP

Save out all of your images as standard JPEG compressed files instead of
TARGAs or GIFs to greatly reduce your disk space storage requirements.  Not
required with R3.

7. & 8. WHATTGA.EXE and WHATJPEG.EXE

Verify all your Targa or JPEG image files in a directory for consistency,
format, size, aspect ratio, and more before you lay them out on tape.  A true
life saver!  Will automatically show them on your Targa as it works to verify
them visually, also.

-----------------------

VII. PAINTS LIBRARY

This library consists totally of animated paint effects for your use.

1. OIL.IXP

Turn any image or portions constrained by the Alpha channel into an oil
painting, complete with brush size control and amount of paint application!

2. PUNTI.IXP

Create a "Puntilinea" or "Pointillism" oil painting out of your image or parts
of it controlled by the Alpha channel.

3. ROUGH.IXP

Rough out an entire image or parts of it controlled by the Alpha channel.
Turn it into a painting where you have applied a dry brush with perpendicular
strokes, with control of the amount and size.

4. SMUDGE.IXP

Add a diagonal smudge to your image or portions of it controlled by the Alpha
channel at a user-defined average size, with a very painterly look.  Great
softening effect for live video, also!

5. VANGO.IXP

Make a Van Gogh painting out of any image or parts of one constrained by the
Alpha channel.  Create a masterpiece!

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VIII. SONY RS-232 Single Frame Controllers

These programs and drivers are each sold separately.  They avoid the need for
complicated and expensive hardware controllers for those decks which do not
absolutely require them.

1. SONY RECORDABLE LASERDISC DOS DRIVER

Record automatically and control your Laserdisc with this program.  Runs
directly from DOS, and is incredibly fast.  Low overhead, but maintains full
error checking.  A required accessory for the professional production studio.

2. SONY RECORDABLE LASERDISC ADI DRIVER

Control your laserdisc recorder's functions through 3D Studio.  Full support
for all of 3D Studio's functions.  Licensed by Autodesk and included in 3D
Studio Release 3.0.

3. SONY EVO-9650 HI-8 ADI DRIVER

Record and control the Sony Hi-8 single frame accurate deck from within 3D
Studio.  Full support for all of 3D Studio's functions.  Licensed by Autodesk
and included in 3D Studio Release 3.0.

Available from:

      THE PYROS PARTNERSHIP, INC.
      1201 Dove Street, Suite 550
      Newport Beach, CA  92660
      [phone]
      FAX [phone]

      CompuServe:  73027,3632
      INTERNET: [e-mail]

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Schreiber Instruments Imagine

Schreiber Instruments has been creating high quality add-on programs for
AutoCAD for many years.  Their programs for 3D Studio contain everything from
IPAS explosion routines to translators from AutoCAD.  These programs are all
sold separately through Autodesk MultiMedia dealers or direct from Schreiber.

1. IMAGINE NURSERY

Tree generation program, Generate fully detailed, three dimensional, shadow
casting trees by type, time of year and height.  58 different tree types each
with correct seasonal foliage color.  Several trees flower in the spring.
Vibrant fall colors.  Dead winter foliage or bare branches in winter months.
The IPAS routine generates the trees directly in 3D Studio.  A stand alone
program is included to generate tree from the DOS prompt or through a batch
file.  An ADS program is also included for operation inside AutoCAD model.
Materials are included with mapping and smoothing assigned for render ready
trees.

2. IMAGINE 3DSURF

Three dimensional surface modeling system, Generates TIN or grid mesh, Input
from ASCII files for from the built-in random terrain generator.  Directly
import survey data for a fast and accurate terrain model.  Package includes
several different surface materials from asphalt to grass.  An extract
AutoLISP routine is included to create an ASCII data file from your entities
inside AutoCAD.  The rolling grid features continuous slope and curvature
across the surface while it honors the data for the best possible surface.
User controls the grid density.

3. IMAGINE INTERFACE

Interface provides complete 3D Studio editing capabilities inside AutoCAD
Release 11 and 12 (DOS extended).  Develop complete 3D Studio files with
objects, materials,lighting, camera, and paths.  Convert AutoCAD entities into
3D Studio objects and assign your materials, all inside AutoCAD.  Open or
merge existing 3D Studio file and add entities from AutoCAD as objects.
Retrieve all objects back to AutoCAD and perform editing.  Set your lights,
camera, and paths for cameras and objects.  Uses the maximum visibility of
AutoCAD for editing, and leaves the rendering and animation to 3D Studio.

4. IMAGINE DETAILOR

Imagine a program that generates over 100 different fences and walls
automatically.  Combined with a multi-megabyte materials library (e.g.  stone,
brick, weathered & unweathered woods) the DETAILOR program allows you to
create virtually any fence or wall.  DETAILOR creates full three dimensional
models instantly.  DETAILOR provides the finishing touch to your architectural
renderings that cannot be duplicated anywhere.

5. IMAGINE SUN

Imagine a program that automatically positions a light source for proper
sunlight shadow casting in your 3D Studio file.  IMAGINE SUN operates from the
DOS prompt and asks only for the required information (latitude, time of day,
day of year).  The program then calculates the closet position for a light
source for proper shadow casting.  A must for architectural renderings where
the position of the SUN is critical.

5.IMAGINE OSCAR TALKS


Imagine a product that has 14 key frames that allow you to make your model
talk simulating speech with phonics.  Simply morph between the "k" sound to
the short "a" to the "t" and your model will say CAT ! Full three dimensional
models delivered in 3DS file format for instant productivity.  Bring your
people to life with IMAGINE OSCAR TALKS.  Complete with full materials and
mapping.

6. IMAGINE HUMANS

Seamless human forms that are not jointed, but are actually one piece wire
sculptures.  Heads are separate so that you can animate speech or by OSCAR
talks to easily add speech.  Each human form comes with 4 wire frames for a
complete walk cycle.  As an added bonus the form is included in the posed
position you see here.  Complete 3DS file included with animation information.
Also a flic file of the animated human is included for reference.

7. IMAGINE AIRPAK

Imagine all of the components for the "airside" of an operational airport in
one geometry package.  These detailed three dimensional mesh models will
provide your airport scenes and animations with the true realism of a busy
airport.  Built to exacting FAA specifications these models are render ready
complete with mapping coordinates and materials already applied for instant
productivity.  This package includes runway/taxiway lights & signage,
navigational aids, runway markings (skidmarks too!), baggage tug & carts,
jetways, crash & rescue (ARF) vehicles, wind cones, and equipment buildings.

8. IMAGINE GOLFPAK

Imagine render ready 3D Studio models that provide the photorealism required
to complete a golf course design.  GOLFPAK contains three dimensional mesh
geometry with mapping coordinates and materials for the truly serious 3D
Studio user.  GOLFPAK gives your scenes and animations a professional touch
for that extra edge over your competition.  GOLFPAK includes a wide variety of
objects and materials including a golf cart, golf ball, golf clubs, golf
flags, golf bag, golf tees, tee box markers & signs, distance signs, ball
cleaners, score boards, score card & pencil.

9. IMAGINE LIGHTPAK

Imagine a variety of architectural outdoor lights that can provide the
ultimate finishing touch to your architectural scenes and animations.  Lending
a professional look these lights set the mood for a scene with full three
dimensional meshes and full materials with mapping.  LIGHTPAK includes a total
of twenty stunning lights for sidewalk/street, parking lot, exterior building
wall, and landscape.

10. IMAGINE 3D PEOPLE

Male and female humans in business, casual, and athletic attire.  The humans
come in a variety of positions in standing, sitting, and walking positions.
Models are delivered in project file format complete and ready for placement
in your architectural, forensic, or any other rendering or animation.  A total
of thirty models are provided with approximately 900 vertices each for the
polygon conscious renderer.

11. IMAGINE CIVIL DETAILOR

Civil detailor is a parametric civil engineering related geometry generator.
Generate three dimensional geometry effortlessly along a 3D path.  Automatic
guard rail, road detail generator.  Operates with output from the 3D Studio
shaper and produces full geometry for all common barriers, guard rails, and
striping.  Civil Detailor also produces railroad and monorail lines.

12. IMAGINE FX

Animated special effects package of routines containing lightning, comet,
starburst, rings, particle cloud, and explode volume.  Lightning provides a
weather realistic effect for your animation or you can simply add a comet for
another interesting sky type effect.  Starburst and rings allow you to
simulate several space conditions starting with an expanding universe to the
look just after a sun explodes.  Finish off a scene with a volume explosion
without gravity settings and a large bounding for a your exploding star
system.  Complete the sequence with a particle cloud of the residue after you
have completely blown up the solar system.

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Yost Group - IPAS Boutique

The Yost Group is under contract to Autodesk as the creators and programmers
of 3D Studio itself.  This is a listing of their IPAS programs, broken into
the same groups under which they are sold.  They are available through your
authorized 3D Studio dealer or Schreiber Instruments.

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I.  IXP (IMAGE PROCESSING EXTERNAL PROCESSES)

Disk #1 is a collection of six IXP external processes by Tom Hudson.  Each is
a flexible tool for simulating photorealistic "optical" image processing
effects within the Video Post interface of 3D Studio.

1.  BLUR FILTER

Lets you automatically defocus all or parts of an image in 3D Studio.  This
IPAS routine works on still images or animations with options including; blur
only above [specified] brightness threshold (for "blowing out" only the
highlights); start and end frame control for simulating cinematic "racked
focus" effects; different blur algorithms for global blurs or subtle blur
"halo's".  Very useful for creating multi-level focusing effects and dramatic
transitions within Video Post.

2.  LENS FLARE FILTER

Film-quality lens flare -- simulates the optical physics of a multi-element
zoom lens.  25 different options available, including: # of lens elements;
flare color; amount of chromatic aberration; core flare size; "ring" quality;
ray size; flare density; plus control over automatic brightening of the scene
during flare peaks.  Adds a tremendous amount of realism to outdoor imagery.

3.  GLOW FILTER

This IPAS routine lets you add colored auras, halos and neon effects.  Options
include: ability to glow entire image or just those regions in or out of the
alpha channel; control the glow via brightness threshold, hue or alpha channel
(for creating neon silhouettes).  The size and "feathered" quality of the glow
can be set separately.  This IXP is essential for getting away from the
"hard-edged" quality of typical computer graphics.

4.  HILIGHT FILTER

Create twinkles, sparkles and "cat's eye" effects using optical cross-star
hilights.  Options include: ability to create hilights on specific Video Post
layers with alpha channel control; and hilight generation based on brightness
threshold or hue.  The number of cross-star points are selectable, as is the
angle and per-frame increment for rotating animated hilights.  Both the size
and falloff softness of the hilights can be controlled separately.

5.  MONO FILTER

Monochrome filter for tinting and posterizing images.  Options include:
tinting based on a brightness threshold; tint color control; ability to select
the number of shades to use in the final image and the posterization
threshold.  Also useful for modifying the color of other image processing
effects within Video Post.

6.  STARS II

Enhanced version of the starfield generator that comes with 3DSr2.  Supports
both field/frame modes; plus you can set the size of the stars.  Also includes
a "streaking" effect for creating motion-blurred star trails as you move the
camera through the starfield.  Try this with HILITE.IXP for starfields with
rotating cross-stars on the head of each star.

-----------------------

II.  SPECIAL EFFECTS TOOL KIT: IXP, PXP, AXP, SXP Mix

Disk #2 covers the IPAS spectrum, and provides a wide array of procedural
textures, image processing effects, and parametric object deformation tools by
Dan Silva and Tom Hudson.

1.  NOISE II (SXP)

Similar to the animated noise function that ships with 3DSr2, except that this
new version is completely non- periodic (you can't see any pattern or repeats
across infinite sized objects).  Use this solid texture to create natural
random surface effects.

2.  PLANET (SXP)

Need a planet for your next project? This procedural texture function creates
the appearance of planet surfaces from fractal equations -- including
continents, islands, and oceans.  Options include the ability to specify both
the size and how "rugged" you want the terrain to be, and the ability to blend
the water/land boundaries.  You can also use an Autodesk Animator palette file
to control the colors of the land/water masses.  (Note: does not actually
produce geometry.  See the FRACTALIZE PXP on disk 5 for that.)

3.  SMOKE (SXP)

Create milky or smoky effects inside objects with this versatile solid
texture.  Originally created to make smoky beams of light, this animated
fractal turbulence function readily simulates cloudy/smoky/murky appearances.
It can be used as either an opacity, texture or bump map.  Options include
scaling, fractal iterations, motion start and end frames.

4.  WATER (SXP)

Perfect for those recipes which call for you to "just add water." This IPAS
routine provides for very realistic animated water textures (based on the
sensual movement of the Perlin wave-distribution algorithm).  Options include:
2D or 3D wave distribution; # of wave sets; wave radius; wave length; wave
amplitude; wave speed; color blending; motion start and end frames.  It can be
used as either an opacity, texture or bump map.

5.  SPECKLE (SXP)

Ideal for speckled or mottled appearances.  Simple, but comes in handy when
you need that perfect random speckled look for simulating granite, eggshells,
and other natural surfaces.

6.  CRUMPLE (PXP)

Procedural modeling tool that "crumples" any object to make it look like it's
been trashed.  This function preserves your original object and produces a
(less-than) perfect morph target.  Mangle options include: crumple axis; min
and max crumple amounts.

7.  XMAS (PXP)

Procedural modeling tool that lays down icosohedrons along the surface of any
object.  You can then eliminate the original object and you've got a new
object which appears to be made out of Christmas lights.  Options include:
light spacing and "light" size.  Allows you to assign up to 4 different
materials from your materials library.  Allows you to create an unusual new
type of beaded "particulate" object out of virtually anything.

8.  SPHERIFY (PXP)

Procedural modeling tool that converts any object into a sphere.  Very useful
for when you need to make objects look like they're getting pumped up with
air.  Preserves your original geometry and creates a perfect spherical morph
target for it.  You can also use this IPAS routine to pseudo- morph from one
dissimilar object to another by morphing each object to a sphere and then
Video Post dissolving between the two spheres.

9.  PLASMA (AXP)

Animated procedural model builder that creates electric "plasma orbs" similar
to the lightning spheres you see advertised in the "expensive toys for
grownups" catalogs.   Produces very nice special effects, especially when used
with the glow.ixp image processing routine from Disk 1.  Options include: # of
lightning arcs, Brownian variation; max degrees per frame "walk" of each
lightning arc per frame.

10.  FLIP (IXP)

Useful Video Post image processing utility for flipping entire images either
left-to-right , top-to-bottom, or both ways.

11.  CLAMP (IXP)

Contrast "clamping" utility for Video Post.  Allows you to set a "ceiling" and
a "floor" for max/min contrast values.  By inverting these values, you can
achieve excellent negative-images for special effects.  Great for video and
print applications in which harsh blacks and whites need to be muted.

-----------------------

III.  PXP (PROCEDURAL MODELING EXTERNAL PROCESSES)

Disk #3 is a collection of six PXP external processes by Darrel Anderson.
Each is a flexible procedural modeling tool for creating animated deformations
and organic object effects within 3D Studio.

1.  MELT

Melts any object towards a "floor" with gravity simulation.  Can be used in
reverse to animate an object forming from a puddle.  (Remember that movie?)
Options include: melt percentage; crumple percentage; edge sagging amount;
sagging acceleration; and spreading amount.

2.  MANTA WAVE

Sends a nice undulating ripple or wave through any object.  Provides an
extremely-useful damped sine wave deformation, with mirror control for
producing realistic manta ray motion.  This gradient sine wave is much more
natural than the linear wave function that ships with 3DSr2.  Options include:
positionable amplitude center; control over amplitude curve; fine control over
exact position of the wave function relative to the object; and wave period.

3.  RESHAPE

Gives you a handy reshaping tool which does a spline-fit to any object.
Allows you to pull vertices or faces from an object, and then refits the
object to smoothly blend between the original object and the version with the
pulled faces.  (Similar to a taffy pull effect.) Great for morphing animated
characters, mountains out of flat plains, etc.  Options include: curve tension
setting; vertex range control; and magnitude.

4.  SKLINE

Skewed spline-fitting tool for making bendy and wavy objects.  Allows
up-to-10-point bending of any object along three axes simultaneously.
Generates a template based on your object which allows you to set the
characteristics of the spline customized for each object.  Great for character
animation and for simulating wind and rubbery effects.  Options include:
skline extent settings; curve tension control.

5.  STRETCH

Stretch provides you with a new non-linear scaling tool.  It works by fitting
any object inside a deformable "scaling" box.  Excellent for making an object
appear to bow, morphing tear-drop shapes, and other nonlinear types of
deformations.  Options include: stretch axis; stretch anchor; resistance.

6.  TWIST

Everyone's been asking for a generalized twist/torque tool.  This flexible
IPAS routine allows you to twist any object on any axis for "screwy" kinds of
effects.  Nicely complements 3D Studio's built in commands (note the 3D Lofter
only allows twisting along the path of extrusion).  Options include: twist
extent settings; twist direction; # of full twists; twist bias.

-----------------------

IV.  AXP (ANIMATED STAND-IN EXTERNAL PROCESSES)

Disk #4 is a collection of six AXP external processes by Darrel Anderson.
Each provides a unique parametric particle system for the creation of
animations that simulate natural phenomena with real-life physics.

1.  RAIN

No drought here.  This rain-making process fills a cubic volume with a 3D
downpour.  Options include: # of rain particles; raindrop size; raindrop
splash diameter (drops splash into little puddles when they hit the "ground");
rainfall time "envelope" controls (with eases for gradual effects); cycling or
continuous rain; wind direction vector; and a chaos factor.  Texture maps can
be projected onto the front of the rain so that the rainstorm reveals a
pattern.

2.  SNOW

For winter use only.  This snow-making process fills a cubic volume with a 3D
blizzard.  Includes turbulence functions for realistic swirling snow effects.
Options include: # of particles; snowflake diameter; snowflake spiral control;
snowfall time "envelope" controls (with eases for gradual effects); snowflake
shape (triangular or 6-sided); wind direction vector; and a chaos factor.
Texture maps can be projected onto the front of the snow so that the snowstorm
reveals a pattern.

3.  FIREWORKS

Create particle-system fireworks in the shape of any 3D object.  No more
flying logos...  now they can burst! Options include: # of particles; spark
size; spark velocity; spark "trail" size; gravity constant; time "envelope"
controls; initial velocity; deceleration; and a chaos factor.  Comes with sets
of texture maps that provide animated color over time and animated shading
over the sparks' trail.  Or use your own maps for even more custom effects.

4.  DISINTEGRATE

Imagine turning any object into thousands of spheres which then fall and
bounce on the ground.  This particle-system disintegrator will automatically
place spheroid particles on the surface of any object and then explode, drift,
or "gravitize" them.  Myriad of options include: density factor; particle
size; bounce factor (when particles hit the ground plane, they can bounce up
to four times); "wobble factor"; gravity constant; time "envelope" controls;
blast center positioning; velocity falloff; and min and max chaos factors.
Plus full texture-mapping is supported -- even in the "spheroid" state.

5.  EXPLODE

This routine shatters objects and makes their fragments fall with gravity.
It's a surface-geometry demolition tool which takes any object and simulates
what would happen if you exploded dynamite inside of it (with accurate
physics, of course).  Options include: gravity constant; bounce factor (object
pieces can hit the "ground" and bounce up to 4 times)]; time "envelope"
controls; face fragmentation factors for minimum piece size and maximum piece
size); blast center (pieces nearer the enter will be fragmented into smaller
pieces than pieces at the periphery); initial velocity; velocity falloff;
deceleration; and chaos factor.  If the object is texture-mapped, the
individual pieces retain both their smoothing groups and mapping coordinates
perfectly during the explosion.

6.  SPURT

This is a general-purpose particle-system generator for spurting and streaming
effects.  It's very good for creating sparklers, fountains, laser beam blasts,
lawn sprinklers and similar erupting phenomena.  Plus, the stream of particles
can trace the shape of any object.  Options include: # of particles; gravity
constant; particle size and trail ratio; particle life span; time "envelope"
controls; radial or parallel particle flow; custom object shaping constraints;
and a chaos factor.  Animated particle texture mapping is also supported.

-----------------------

IV.  PXP - SILICON GARDEN

Disk #5 contains a set of PXP external processes by Hayes Haugen and Rolf
Berteig which generate an extensive variety of trees, plants, flowers,
terrain, rocks, and other natural objects using fractal "L-System"
mathematics.

1.  SILICON GARDEN

Four procedural flora generators within one user interface (which conveniently
allows you to use only one PXP slot in your 3D Studio Program drop-down menu).
The flora models are all extremely size-efficient...  A typical Maple tree has
less than 1500 faces.

Trees: Creates eight general categories of trees, including Willow, Cherry,
Maple, Birch, Pine, Redwood, "forest", and tropical.  Options include: season
setting (for leaf density and color); leaf texture-mapping; wind and gravity
strength; age; width; branching angle; low/med/high detail settings; optimized
or morphable geometry state.  The "forest" setting produces groups of
(deciduous, evergreen or mixed) low- detail trees which are extremely useful
as distant elements in outdoor scenes.

Flowers: Five types of flowers, including: Campion, Mycelis, Rose, and
Sunflower and "generic" flowering plant.  Options include: petal color; size;
low/high detail settings; petal texture mapping; age; wind and gravity
strength; optimized or morphable geometry state.

Shrubs: Six types of shrubs, including: Palm, Fern, Reed, Grass, Rhododendron
and "generic" shrub.  Options include: frond
bend/orientation/twist/regularity; size; low/med/high detail; shape; leaf
texture mapping; wind and gravity strength; optimized or morphable geometry
state.

Structures: Nine basic categories of beautiful and unusual space-filling
fractal objects, including: Gosper Hex; Koch Circle; Koch Lattice; Koch Quilt;
Hilbert Curve; 3D Chain; 3D Fence; Spirals; and Cylinders.  Options include:
"seed" object; divergence; length; height; detail; size; complexity.

2.  FRACTALIZE

This fractalizing procedural modeling tool allows you to build morphable
terrains out of any object.  Options include: fractal iterations; slope;
smoothness; randomness; fractal growth direction.  Retains texture coordinates
so you can fractalize pre-textured objects and not lose their textures.  In
addition to an all-purpose terrain-generator, it's also very useful for making
objects appear wrinkled, blistery, or rock-like.

3.  TERRA MATERIALS LIBRARY

This disk full of texture maps includes a materials library which is both
integrated into the Silicon Garden and also an invaluable resource for your
own modeling.  The library includes dozens of texture maps for bark, leaves,
grass, ground, rocks, etc.

4.  PLACE-ING TOOL

Handy PXP for aligning any object to a complex surface, such as planting a
tree on a fractal terrain.

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*** New Section ***

ENT-TOOLS part 1 ver 1.0 - IPAS programs for 3D Studio versions 2 & 3

---------------------

1. SIZE
-------
Size is a program that help you to get the grip of your
constructions. There are two basic parts of this program, "Unit"
and "Memory". "Unit" gets the objects extents and the min and max
value in all three axis. "Memory" gives the number of vertices
and faces used by that object and the memory consumption.

2. ARRAY
--------
Array is made for making duplicates of a selected object either
cubical or polar. This makes tedious copying of many objects
unnecessary or at least easier.

3. LINEMK
---------
This program was made for making thin wire-material lines in 3D
space. The closest you can get to a line in 3D Studio is to loft
a triangular shape along a 3D-path. This program takes that
object and makes a vertex in the middle of  each # vertex,  then
connect the vertices with a face with the right edges visible.

4. SHAKE
--------
Shake is a program that takes away the regularity in objects. It
randomly shakes the vertices in a object according to set
parameters. It can be used to make numbered objects for morphing.


5. MAPMOV
---------
This program performs remapping of the object under a period of
frames. This is useful if you want to slide the texturemap on the
object.

6. CLATCH
---------
Clatch is a simple particle animation program that makes a
dome-like cyclic explosion of particles. This can be useful for
special effects when doing animations.

7. TILE
-------
This program was created initialy because i wanted to make a
bathroom tile with a flat reflection in the tiles but not in the
grout. This was impossible in 3D Studio R2 , because it will get
the same reflection all over. The program can also make a brick
wall with varying colors on the bricks.

8. GRADIE
---------
Gradie is a material that makes a gradient transision between 3
colors, working almost the same way as renderer/setup/background
gradient in 3D Studio. It was designed because the background set
in 3D Studio doesn't show up in flat-reflections.


9. DENT_M
---------
Dent_m is a solid pattern external process that creates 3D Dent
textures. It has a number of settings that makes it very
powerfull and flexible. You can set the amount of shininess and
cutlevels of the dents. This can make materials from waterpuddles
to just uneven shininess.

All these programs are provided as one package.

Ent-Tools are exclusively available in the US through Pyros Partnership, Inc.
See address in part 1 above.

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*** New Section ***

BlackBox IPAS Routines

---------------

1. BUBBLE3D

Allows you to realistically simulate many varieties of bubbles.
You control the speed, size, path, and origin of the bubbles.
Any 3D Studio object may be used as the bubbles.  BUBBLE3D uses random,
linear and power law functions to control the bubbles, giving you many
different looks.  By using the various controls you can create a wide
variety of effects, including bubbles in a fishtank, a glass of champagne
or a burst from a scuba diver.

---------------

2. VORTEX.AXP

Easily create a column of falling particles, or a twisting funnel
"cloud".  Lots of different effects are possible with simple
combinations of parameter values.  Any 3D Studio object may be
used as the particles.  Also features Continue- and Net-Rendering options.

---------------

3. FLOCK.AXP

Chaos theory brings realistic flocking behavior to your PC.
FLOCK is an AXP with mutually interacting particles, or "birds."
The "birds" point along the direction of their movement, revealing
the intricate fluid detail of the flock's motion.  You control the
turning, minimum and maximum "bird" speeds, and much more.  You
create the object, we'll flock it.  Also features Continue- and
Net-Rendering options.

----------------

4. DFILT.IXP

DFILT is the first ixp to allow easy, one-pass ramping in or out
of the selected filter effect.  Add directional edge detection
effects, blur your animations, includes high pass, negative and
user defined filter kernels as well.  Selectively control the
Red/Green/Blue color channels.

-----------------

These programs are all sold individually.

  NW Tech
  13256 NE 20th, Suite #5
  Bellevue, WA  98005

  Voice: [phone]
  FAX:   [phone]

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Standard disclaimer:

I am simply compiling this information and providing it as a free service.  I
can make no guarantees, warrantees, or anything else concerning the use of
any of the programs listed, except of course for our own!

Greg Pyros


All the programs are the copyright of their respective owners.

3D Studio and IPAS is the copyright of Autodesk, Inc.

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