Floppyshop 2/Floppyshop - 2.zip/Floppyshop - 2.iso/diskmags/4671-5.790/dmg-5269/leisure/letters.txt

Text File | 1989-12-31 | 19KB | 416 lines

                         THE THIRD DIMENSION
LETTERS SECTION
If you want to write a letter either send it in on paper (typed
or written) or send it in on a disk (preferably in ASCII format).
For a personal reply,please send a Stamped Self Addressed
Envelope unless you prefer it to be placed onto the disk.All
letters are very much welcomed whether good or bad....Tony

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

To Antony Quinn.

Dear Antony,

I'm typing this letter in your own text editor. It is really great
and simple to use.

I noticed you made it in CanDo2. I am using CanDo Jr. to make the
interface on the Amiga for our Disk Magazine. I also have CanDo 2
and tried to make the interface in that version too. But I noticed
that all in all it used more bytes. As the magazine disk is usually
almost completely filled up with all the other files, I decided to
stick to the Jr. version.

I think CanDo is a very multifunctional program and if I wasn't so
hooked on the 3DKits, I would certainly make more use of it.

Anyway, I'm going to use this editor from now on to type my letters,
tutorials etc.

If you make another program with CanDo I would love to see it.


                                         Mieke
------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Tony,

I read your article on animations with interest and most of it is clear
to me. However, I have one question regarding the animation of the man
in the datafile Cityanim. In the animation routine the command "REDRAW"
has been used several times. Although I know the meaning of the word,
I never used the command in animations I have made so far. I never
missed it either. I never really understood what the command is doing
exactly. Could you give me another example thereby explaining what this
command exactly does and why it should be used?
When I removed the REDRAW command, the man is walking faster. So is it
done to slow down the animation? But you can use the command also in
other routines. What is the effect then? And what does the command
"DRAWONLY" really do?
Thanks beforehand for answering these questions.

I had a ride in the Ghost train in Our Town. The ghost house is great
to look at and the train ride is hilarious and dark! I am a funfair fan
and I liked this one very much.
I tried to pick up the star in the Castle but found myself immediately
outside again!
Why didn't you animate the mouse?

Your creation of the Pier of St. Annes is beautiful. I have never seen
it in real life and don't know where it is either, but I enjoyed walking
around in the area. The nice caravan on the beach was inviting!
I saw the picture too and it is beautiful to look at but I prefer the
datafile where you can really walk around in the area. It shows again
what the Kit is capable of.

I had fun with your drums datafile too. Remember the keyboard you
once designed in Kit1? I turned it into an electric piano in Kit 2
on the Amiga. I placed the datafile, border and soundbank on this
disk together with an explaining textfile.

All the best                              Mieke


Dear Mieke
     I will answer your questions in the order that you have set
them out.First of all,the Redraw command.This is used to force an
immediate redraw by the computer of the view window.Basically it
updates an objects state from the last frame update.It tidies up
previously drawn/undrawn objects and is especially useful for
animations.The animation that you mentioned,speeds up when the
Redraw command is removed because it (Redraw) also acts as a
small delay.If you create a cube in an area and then give the
cube (object 2) the following condition and then shoot it,then
try it without the Redraw command,you will notice a difference.
Here is the example.-

If shot?
Loop(10)
Togvis(2)
Redraw
Again

The cube flashes on and off ten times with the Redraw command
inserted.When it is removed,nothing happens because there is no
command to update the view window to draw and redraw the cube.
     The Drawonly command is similar to the above but does not
effect the object display,just the colour or fade value of it
if applicable.So this would alter an objects colour when used in
a series of commands but not the actual object.

     You return to the outside when you get the crystal that is
situated in the castle in Our-Town because the idea of that part
of the game is to find your way out.The only way to get out is to
take the warp crystal.You can not get back out through the door
that you came in as that has now been altered in the game.
The mouse does now move in my house in Our-Town and the church is
now open with a little surprise in it.The Our-Town datafile now
has a new border with fully working controls and two text
instruments that now inform you about the various games in the
town.I would like to see you move in to this town Mieke,so please
create a building of your choice for us all to explore.I would
also like to see other members create a building too.If it gets
larger ( and i hope it does ),we can open up a new area via the
new tunnel mouth.This is one of my favourite parts of the diskmag
so don't be surprised if anyone gets a letter from me nagging
them to create their own building to be included into OURTOWN.

     I am glad that you liked the St.Annes pier datafile.This
place is situated next town down from Blackpool on the North West
coast side of England in Lancashire.It is totally the opposite of
Blackpool which is lively,exciting and has some of the
fastest/largest theme park rides in the country,where as St.Annes
is nice and quiet,full of retired people,TV stars and beautiful
coastal walks.Both towns make an ideal holiday combination.

Tony.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Tony

   Thanks for the last letter with details of the VistaPro DEM
files. They're probably like the Amiga/PC 3D Kit files - subtly
different in some way to make them incompatible. I'll keep
playing and let you know.

   Came across yet another VR shareware package for the PC the
other day. It seems to be based around a BASIC programming
language and the REND386 data files I've mentioned before. The
basic formats are probably used by some Atari/Amiga programmes
too for all I know. The objects have the extension PLG, while the
worlds are WLD. Quite good animation effects and there's a simple
rendering technique where fills of varying colour gradients can
be applied to sides of polygons. Looks good when static but
looses it's effect if you turn because the lines stay parallel
with the top/bottom of screen.

   Trouble is I've all but given up on programming in earnest,
preferring to stick to an applications macro or programming
language, like FCL. 'C' and BASIC I've not looked at for ages now
because with so much shareware/PD around you can always pick up
the utility you need without spending weeks coding it.

   Anyway interesting all the same. What we really need is
3D Kit 3!

Nigel Alefounder

Dear Nigel

I have found that vista DEM files from the PC will work on
the Amiga but I am not sure if it works the other way around.
Thanks for the enclosed disk with the address of PC format
enclosed onto it.I have sent PC Format substantial details
about our diskmag and I hope that they will give us a
mention soon.
     I would like to see a kit 3,but somehow don't think that
this will come off.It seems that Superscape are moving towards
the American market at the moment.
     You are also right regarding the kit 1 video.There was a
tutorial video made for kit 1 which features Ian Andrew taking
you through a very basic guide of the kit.I heard that this
version was hastily remade because Ian didn't want to have
himself seen in a small room dressed without a suit because
he was rising up through the ranks and it spoilt his
image.Luckily I have one of these early versions.
     Ian, have you tried smiling? It doesn't hurt! OOPs! I think
that I may have lost all favour now with Superscape.

Tony
---------------------------------------------------------

Dear Anonymum

     Like many others no doubt,I really find your diary a joy to
read.This is John Wright,the alien from.....Mars,mind you,Mickey
will not believe this,but i am sure you will.Thankyou for your
love-very acceptable to a lonely elderly alien (hope the 'old
codger' bit does not put you off).Trust hubby will not get
jealous.Ah! but no worry - he will not have time to be jealous
with all the attention he is giving to the addition to your
hectic household.
     I am so pleased to have confirmation from you that you are
of the opposite sex- it would have spoilt it all had you turned
out to be male.
     Sorry about the Mickey-John correspondence coming to an end
- had your remarkrs been a month earlier,it could have been
another story (wow!) but who knows what the future holds.Pity you
did not see me in all my glory -maybe our dear editor was short
of space on the disk,for he has been very good publishing so many
of my minor bits and pieces.

Love to you (if hubby does not object).

John,the friendly alien from Mars?

     (.........) therin hides a story,may tell it to you some
day,with the help of our kindly editor alloting the space.
   J the A.

Dear John,I did enclose your picture onto last months
disk.Perhaps you missed it...Tony

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

Dear Tony
     Greetings! I was going to include this letter with my Zone
Runner game but i don't think the game will be finished by the
issue 16 deadline for contributions ( 23rd of each month
folks!.Tony ).
     The main point of this letter relates to something mentioned
twice in issue 15 of the diskmag,specifically in the 3D kit 2
tutorial ( part 2 ),and the routines,and that is the subject of
Keyboard Movement Controls.In both articles,each contributor
mentions that if keyboard controls are not wanted,then one key
only should be assigned to all controls,and then only the first
will be active.However,there is an Even Better way to tackle this
problem,and it works on Both versions of the kit.It is quite
possible to assign NO KEYS for controls! This is how it works:

    Kit 1: Select CONTROLS as normal,but instead of selecting a
regular key,press the F1 function key.This results in NDEF
(meaning not defined) appearing as the assigned key.You are still
able to assign mouse controls without a corresponding keypress.

    Kit 2: Select CONTROLS as normal,but instead of selecting a
regular key from the illustration,press the F1 function key.
This results in the assigned key being listed as "UNSHIFTED NONE"
appearing as the assigned key.You are still able to assign mouse
controls without a corresponding keypress.

     Thanks for the favourable review of Final Countdown and
VituaLoco.I welcome constructive cricism-taking note of your
suggestion,Zone Runner will have icons on the control panel!

     Finally,have you thought about a 3D convention where we
could all get together to exchange and show ideas in person.We
could invite other 3D projects and even invite Superscape etc.

     I'll be in contact again when Zone Runner is complete.See
you in Cyberspace!

Peter D Ward.

Dear Peter
     These deadlines,who needs them? Unfortunately the disk
always goes for a holiday to Holland each month into the very
capable hands of our Mieke to be converted onto the PC and Amiga
computers on the 23rd of each month using the 5.15 PM post
service.The disks then usually come back to jolly old England
about a week later ready to be duplicated and then distributed.

     I am glad that you were happy with the reviews of your
games.I try to be as fair as possible and normally load the games
into my computer when i have some fellow computer friends around
at my home ( usually Tuesdays ).Some are fellow 3D Kitters,and we
normally discuss the merits etc of the game.So the review is
usually a collective one made up from the views of other people
too.In your particular case,everyone liked the games but kept
mentioning the control icons.Not all the games get such a
favourable review.I do try to be as honest as possible and
you can always send in an updated version as did Antony Quinn
with his game 'The Probe'.

     A 3D convention! I nagged Mandy about this last year but
nothing ever came of it.I think that a lot of members wanted it
in their home town,suggesting their town to be central to Britain
etc.Another thing is being able to set a date that is convenient
for everyone.There are also costs involved with the hire of a
suite/room too.
     I am all for this and i will put it to the vote for other
members to have their say,and also to mention where they want it
to take place,when and also how much they are willing to contribute
to the hire of a hall and electricity supply etc.So if you want
this to happen then please let me know.

Tony.
---------------------------------------------
Dear John Wright
     I am going to come to your house and blast you with my mind
warp gun if you have given up all forms of communicating with
me.I have seen your picture and I think your legs are very funny.
Signed Mickey the alien.Here is a message- *'@:X"@@&%*" Byee!
----------------------------------------------

Dear Tony

     Thankyou for the latest issue of the Third Dimension.

     I thought that the Third Dimension video was Very Good and it
has a nice light-hearted approach.At first the menu system review
seemed a bit brisk and neglected such things as keyboard shortcuts,
but then i realised it's not supposed to be a comprehensive reworking
of the manual,indeed if it was,it would play into the hands of
anyone with illicit copies of the kit.

     You are in the almost unique position,in that,because of 3D
Kitters feedback,you can pinpoint the areas that are most causing
confusion and/or problems within the kit,and so address them in
the video.

     If you have ever had to watch any technical films/videos you
will probably know that after 30 to 40 min's,the viewer often
gets tired or bored with having to take in all the information.
That is why the Open University programmes are only about this
length.

     My greatest accolade to the video is that it kept me
engrossed for the full three hours,without pausing or fast
forwarding it,getting up to make a cup of tea,or falling
asleep,so I think you must have got it just right.

     Yours Faithfully

     Paul R. Littlewood.

     I am glad that you liked the video,Paul.It took a lot of
time to create.I am producing another one,hopefully in time for
Christmas or sooner so i welcome any contributions for it
etc.Right i will now go and try to squeeze my swollen head through
the door.

Tony.
----------------------------------------------------------
Dear Tony
Hello again.I received your letter and the 'Devils Abode' and
'The Probe' game disks.Thanks very much!

Your game (Devils Abode) is really superb! The atmosphere and
sounds are fantastic and the game is excellent.Not only to
play,but the design of the areas are very good.The dragon is very
well drawn aned the giant devil is superb.I write in superlatives
but i really mean it! I love the path to the coffins but
everytime,i end up back at the beginning.I'm much more determined
to go through.Great fun!

The Probe loaded very well into my Amiga A500 and i had a quick
look around.The areas in this game are very well designed too and
the way the doors open,together with the appropriate sound,is
done in an excellent way.So this game looks also very promising
and enjoyable.
Mieke

Thanks Mieke for the compliments.I seem to be getting them from
all directions this month.I am sure that Antony will appreciate
your views too.It makes a change to do something right.Thanks
again!

Tony
----------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr O'Mara

     Just a short note to say that i enjoyed the tutorials that
were on the last disk and i can see how you implemented them from
the Third Dimension video ( which is actually excellent! ) which
featured yoor game. Keep up the great routines!

A.Appleyard.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Dear Tony,

Thanks for the disks to hand. As mentioned in my previous
letter I will have to have a rethink regarding the 3d project
I had in mind for you. In the meantime I have done a small item
just for fun which you may be interested in. It is on the enclosed
disk together with a readme text for it, and a letter for `Anonymum'.

Was pleased to hear you have not ditched the `Talkback' column.
I will be interested to see if other members have any ideas
regarding full employment, and look forward to reading Paul
Thompson's ideas about Identity cards.

As an editor of a small magazine myself in the days gone by
(some sixty years now) I appreciate your problems either trying
to find space for items on the disk, or wondering at odd times
how you can find items to fill it. I did not, however, have your
restriction regarding space, for being editor, publisher and
printer I could always add an extra four pages if it was really
necessary. Anyway, you do a pretty good job, for the disks are
mostly full.

Regards. John.
(John Wright)


Dear John

I think that you may have missed an entire section of the diskmag
in the Amiga July issue!Because of the questionnaire results,we
added a lot more letters and text/routine files because that is
what you all wanted.As such,if you clicked onto the Amiga text
icon in the diskmag,you will have been presented with a page of
textfiles to click onto.Because there were a lot of
textfiles,Mieke has added another page of text to select.You can
access this second page by clicking onto the blue/orange ( right
facing ) arrow (next to the words 'Click on text you want to see')
to get to the second page menu.Here you will find the voice over
text file with yours and Pauls' opinions in print.This second
page also has a lot of routines by Ozzy as well as other items
too.

     The datafile is very good and I have been reminded that
there was a lot of 'WOT NO MEAT' etc, witty comments drawn onto
these walls during the war years.

All the best.... Tony