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***************************************************************
XOBJ - An "ObjectWare" program.
(c) Copyright 1988, 1989. Phil Camp.
This program may be freely redistributed under the
following conditions;
1) This file is included with the program.
2) The program is not described as Public Domain.
3) No profit is directly made from its sale.
*************************************************************
XObj?:
What is it?.....
XObj is a handy utility to convert 3D objects from VideoScape 3D file
format into Turbo Silver object files.
Why is it?......
If you are, like me, not skilled in the art of designing and producing
3D objects for your Turbo Silver pictures, you will find there are a lot
of cheaply or even freely available objects for use with VideoScape 3D by
Aegis. I wrote this program to enable me to tap this supply of objects
and use them in Turbo Silver.
How much is it?......
Its FREE (well it costs no money!). I have devised a new support scheme for
XObj. XObj is not Public Domain, its not ShareWare (its not even BeerWare),
its........... OBJECTWARE!!!. To become a offical owner of XObj all you
have to do is provide me with any objects you might have. Objects
can be donated in two ways; 1) An object that I can release into the
Public Domain. I hope to build a library of PD objects that will be of
use to all Turbo Silver users. 2) A private object that you do not want to
see redistributed, but you would not mind me playing with.
In return for these objects you will be registered as an offical owner
of XObj. If there is enough support I will continue to develop programs
and utilities for use with the various 3D packages. In addition you can
obtain the source of XObj for a minimal fee.
How does it work....
XObj can be run from either the CLI or workbench. Please note; the program
requires the ARP library to be in your 'libs' directory as it uses this
library for the file requester. XObj is very simple to use, it can be
run in two basic ways;
1) From the CLI with two filename arguments. The first filename is the
Videoscape 3D file to read, the second is the filename to write the
Turbo Silver object onto (eg. "XObj MyObject.geo MyObject.obj" reads from
MyObject.geo and writes to MyObject.obj).
2) From the workbench or CLI with no arguments. XObj will use the file
requestor to determine the filenames. A file requester should
appear asking for the VideoScape 3D object's file name. Enter or select
the required file. Next XObj will put up another file requester that will
ask for the Turbo Silver file you want it to write. Either select an existing
file or type in a new filename. XObj will then convert the file.
Whats all this stuff on the screen?.....
XObj gives you some status and stats on the object being converted. These
include stats on the size of the object and the size of the resultant
Turbo Silver object. When reading data XObj puts a '.' on the screen
every 10 points or polygons. This can help you locate errors in the
input file.
How do I use the resultant file?.....
When in Turbo Silver, simple select the 'LOAD' menu item from the Settings
menu. This will load the object. You can then rotate/scale/manipulate the
object using the obejct editors commands.
Sounds good. What cant it do?.......
XObj does have limitations (dont all free programs!).
1) Limits on the complexity of the object. Currently (1.01a) XObj can
only convert objects within the following constraints;
a) The V3D object cannot contain more than 2700 points.
b) The V3D object cannot contain more than 5300 polygons.
c) The resultant TS object file cannot contain more than 8000 edges.
d) The resultant TS object file cannot contain more than 5000 edges.
These are limitations, but you will find that not many objects are that
big!. Because the V3D files are stored in text form it is simple to split
objects should you need to.
2) Complex polygons. V3D is a polygon based 3D package while all the ray
tracing packages are based on Triangles. XObj can only handle polygons
that have 3 or 4 vertices. You will find that 95% of all polygons out there
fit into this system, those few complex polygons can be simply converted
by hand. If you have Modeler 3D you can simply use the 'Statistics' window
to select polygons with more than 4 vertices, then use the 'Polygon Split'
command on them until they are comprised of a number of simple polygons.
Or you can just remove them from the object then use Turbo Silver's editor
to redo them on the converted objects.
3) XObj will not handle the new binary format V3D files. Dont worry all the
commercial object disks give you them in text format.
Any other tips?......
Yep; If you have Modeler 3D you can convert Sculpt 3D files into Turbo
Silver!. Simply load them into Modeler 3D, save them as V3D text format
then run XObj on them. I have converted the Antic object disks in this
manner.
Some objects can be a bit small when imported into TS. Use the TS object
editor to enlarge them. NB. I have noticed that some objects are VERY
small!.
Colors. XObj sets each face of the TS object to the correct color as
defined in the V3D file. DONT change the color of the object using the
TS attribute requester or you will modify ALL the faces on the object.
************************************************************************
ObjectWare registration;
1) Place any objects you wish to donate on a standard Amiga 3.5 inch
disk. Please do not send commercial objects, this would be a violation
of their copyright.
2) Indicate which objects are PRIVATE (for my use only) and which are
PUBLIC DOMAIN.
3) If you wish to obtain the source to XObj (its in M2S M2Sprint Modula-2)
enclose $5 (or a rough conversion) in funds to cover postage etc.
Please do not send personal cheques in anything other than pounds sterling,
they cost more than $5 to get cashed in the UK.
4) Enclose you name and address.
5) Send either Air or Surface mail to;
Phil Camp
ObjectWare
48 Alma Vale Road
Clifton
Bristol BS8 2HS
United Kingdom.
*************************************************************************
Credits;
My thanks to Stan and Impulse people for releasing the Turbo Silver file
format into the public domain, and for the wonderful Turbo Silver product.
Turbo Silver is a trademark of Impulse Inc.
Sculpt 3D is a trademark of Byte by Byte.
VideoScape 3D and Modeler 3D are trademarks of Aegis.
Phil Camp, 17-Jan-89.
BIX: philc
CIS: 76004,2054