I know that none of you power users read manuals anyway, and I think that LS3D is pretty intuitive, so I'll keep it short with a top-ten list of things you should know. (Please excuse all the parentheses.) While #10 is usually least important; in this list, #10 is the most important because it's first and you're more likely to read it. IF YOU READ ALL TEN OF THESE, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE ENTIRE PROGRAM. (Finally, it is helpful to open the application when reading this.)
10. You can CHANGE VIEWING PERSPECTIVES BY CLICKING ON THE GRAY SQUARES IN THE CORNERS OF THE MAIN WINDOW. When a square is clicked on, it changes to green, which corresponds to the green pointer thing at the bottom of the preview window. In other words, the corner with the green square is always the foremost corner in the preview window. THIS IS DEFINITELY A HAVE-TO-PLAY-WITH-IT-TO-UNDERSTAND FEATURE.
9. All of the buttons on the lime-green toolbar (except Set Rez) can be accessed by PRESSING THE FIRST LETTER OF THE BUTTON NAME (e.g Smooth = 's'). The command key should NOT be pressed. If the command key is pressed, the program might Save (command-S) instead of Smooth (just 's'). Don't worry about capital vs. lower case. The Shift key doesn't matter.
8. There are 2 file formats, only one of which can be read back in. When you save your LandSculpture (via "Save", under the "File" menu), it is saved in the compact (typically under 15k) proprietary LS3D format. This type of file can be read back in, by opening it (via "Open", under the "File" menu). The other file format is DXF. When you export a file (via "Export as DXF", under the "File" menu), a DXF file is created (which vary in size from about 100k to about 1 Meg). LandSculptor3D CANNOT read back in DXF files. That is why YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SAVE IT NORMALLY (LS3D FORMAT) BEFORE EXPORTING IT TO A DXF FILE.
7. BRUSH SIZE ONLY AFFECTS BRUSH SIZE, WHILE INTENSITY AFFECTS MANY FUNCTIONS. Intensity (which ranges from -10 to +10 with no zero), effects the following things in the following ways
the brush: e.g: 10 = Opaque White = High, -10 = Opaque Black = Low
noiser: ignore the + and -, that's how much noise is added
smooth: ignore the + and -, that's how much it smooths
raise: + and - matter, this multiplies elevation by Intensity*10 percent
6. You can SET INTENSITY BY PRESSING THE NUMBERS ON THE KEYPAD (the numbers on the right side of the keyboard. PRESSING ZERO SETS THE INTENSITY TO 10 OR -10. No Command-key is required. You can REVERSE THE INTENSITY (TURN POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, and VISA VERSA) BY PRESSING THE SPACE BAR. Again, no Command-key is required.
5. You can INCREASE OR DECREASE THE BRUSH SIZE USING THE UP/DOWN ARROW KEYS.
4. CHANGING THE RESOLUTION IS NOT "UNDOABLE" (as in command-Z). It can be undone simply by changing the resolution back, but some distortion and loss of resolution will occur, especially if going back to a higher resolution.
3. When working with the 125x125 resolution you might want to TURN OFF THE PREVIEW. It will be 25 times slower than working in 25x25 mode.
2. The noiser function works very well for adding random details, but, in general, you should smooth your model at least once before exporting it. SUPER NOISY MODELS PRODUCE SUPER NOISY RENDERS. Also, if your renderer has a smooth function, definitely use it before ray tracing.
…and the number one thing you should know (which is actually the least important) is…
1. Please READ THE ABOUT BOX for more info about me (the author).
OH, AND OF COURSE, THE LEGAL STUFF:
Disclaimer, Limitation of Remedies and Damages.
THE SOFTWARE (LANDSCULPTOR3D) AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION ARE LICENSED “AS IS.” IN NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR (JARED SCHIFFMAN) BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE OR ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION.
BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALL0W THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
OTHER LEGAL STUFF:
LANDSCULPTOR3D IS FREEWARE. PLEASE DO NOT ALTER IT OR SELL IT FOR PROFIT. IF LANDSCULPTOR3D IS INCLUDED ON ANY SHAREWARE CD-ROM'S OR DISKS, I REQUEST THAT I MAY RECEIVE A COPY OF THE CD OR DISK. NET DISTRIBUTION IS ALLOWED AS LONG IT IS DISTRIBUTED IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM (WITH THIS DOCUMENT INCLUDED).
