AbnRanger

I think you're on to something. Since everyone loves to hate on Autodesk, I thought that had to be it...but yeah, I hear the MAC version was rather buggy.I don't know how Andrew does it, but maybe we'll soon see him on the History Channel...the show "Modern Marvels," revealing that his real secret is....bananas! That's right....bananas and coffee. How else could you keep a room full of Code Monkeys going full throttle and happy?

You didn't know?...my new SpacePilot has a command key for that...twist the knob to adjust brew strength http://www.3dconnexion.com/ Cough...Auto-Cough...Desk-Cough. Wonder who that could be? Quoted for agreement...his avatar certainly paralyzes evil-doers with fear!

I don't know if it's relevant enough to mention during the training, but one of the things I love most about 3DC is that it's the ONLY sculpting application that supports 3DConnexion devices (Space Pilot/Explorer/Navigator). I just recently bought one, and you never want to go back to the old way...like going from a Kia to a Lexus, IMHO. Just one of the things that makes Andrew and this application so unique...might be a handy nugget to mention to new users

Are we talking about the same Dwayne Ferguson that has tutorials on Lightwave, Combustion, Photoshop, etc. over at VTC.com?If so, how cool is that? I learned Combustion super quick by going through those tutorials...as well as learning from the LW titles too. Some guys are extremely monotone, and should never be listened to while operating machinery ...but that's not the case with your material...very personable and funny. Looking forward to this, and once 3DC v3 is gold, I hope that they (VTC) can commission you to do a training title on this software. Cheers, Don

Yes, the 2nd button group...someone suggested they needed icons, and I beg to differ.Did some work, making a mockup of the current UI (build 83) using the slider's like you find in Combustion, Flame, and Houdini. What do you guys think (the 2nd is before my changes, and the 3rd is with colored level indicators on the sliders)? Again, on these sliders, you can place you cursor anywhere in the windows/box and drag the levels left and right...instead of having to focus your cursor on just the tiny little knob

The UI seems close to being done...probably some bug squashing left to do, but it seems like Andrew's just about there. Wouldn't be surprised if he's shooting for the end of the month

I don't see why there is a need for icons when they are arrayed as "rooms." You have buttons with text on them and I don't see how you can improve on that.The old addage, "Don't try to fix what isn't broken" applies here (regarding the rooms buttons..they are fine just the way they are)

I re-installed 3dc alpha 83, and it works correctly now. I tell you what, Andrew...once 3DC v3 goes gold, you really ought to try and set up booths at SIGGRAPH and GDC...letting folks who come by try using it with a Space Pilot. I'd even talk to the folks at 3dconnexion to see if they can give you a good wholesale price, and start bundling 3DC and the device together. To sell at the booths and here online. Folks don't know what they are missing till they try it for themselves. It would appeal to Zbrush and Mudbox users too. 3DC, a Space Explorer (mid-priced model) and a training DVD for roughly $400 would be a steal (still hundreds of $$$ less than ZBrush, Mudbox and BodyPaint 3D) !

Funny you should bring that up...I tried to do that yesterday and realized you couldn't, like in Photoshop, collapse the panel. good call

Agreed. It's come a long way since v2. I think it's good enough to sign off on for the initial v3 release. Just squash some bugs, update the manual and call it a wrap, me thinks.

Thanks Andrew, for supporting these devices. It makes the whole experience so much nicer. You really should try to promote the fact that you're the only program in this group that does so, in your marketing when 3DC v3 is finally released! It's such a useful feature. The only problem I'm having with it is that the model continues to float after I've stopped moving the navigation knob/handle. Any ideas how to make it stop doing that? I have to really fiddle with it to make it stop each time, and even then you can tell it's still moving slightly.

You might consider getting a Space Pilot (for customization reasons) for your desktop and using the Navigator elsewhere. I found a heck of a deal on them (retails for $399) for $124. The Ebay store I bought from takes items that were previously leased and sells them for roughly 1/4 of the retail price. Arrived today...like new, and works great. You were right...It is like going from a car with just an AM radio, no cruise control or air Conditioning to a Lexus:http://cgi.ebay.com/3DConnexion-USB-SpaceP...93%3A1|294%3A50 Space Pilot video: http://www.flixfacts.co.uk/view/video-fl.p...5&t=fl& http://www.3dconnexion.com/video/video.php...lot〈=en

So, what do you think of the accents to the tabs and buttons, as well as the "knob-less" sliders (ala Combustion, Toxic, Flame, Smoke, Houdini), Shadow?

I finally bought one, a Space Pilot on Ebay...waiting for it to get here. Agreed...anyone who has some pointers or gotcha's with them and 3DC, it would be much appreciated. FWIW, the forums seem quiet enough lately that you could hear a ghost fart.

They don't have to take up that much space...just enough to have the text and numerals in the center and a small level indicator at the bottom. They are used from Combustion to Toxic to Flame, Infernos, Smoke...etc. Houdini uses this method for sliders as well...so it's a highly professional method. The current look seem to take up way too much horizontal space and the little knobs make the whole UI look VERY clunky...like a throwback to the 1980's.Sorry to sound so critical, but I think it's important to get it right and for the UI to look modern and clean. It's an improvement, and it has indeed come a loooooooooong way since the first versions, but the UI still has some work to do, before it can be taken seriously in such a highly competitive market. doesn't have to be flashy...although I wish Andrew would use those accents I showed (most everyone who commented on it here and at Newtek, said they liked it...pretty good consensus, I'd say)...using those and the sliders I added would help improve the look of the UI immensely, IMHO...and those who commented on it. Here is an image of a Flame using the sliders I proposed (by the way, the cursor in the current build displays a horizontal arrow, just like Combustion does, when hovering over the sliders, so he's already part of the way there): http://mirror-us.e-onsoftware.com/showcase..._screenshot.jpg

I think SIGGRAPH is not going to be worth the trip this year. Not sure why they chose New Orleans, but it's far more advantageous for them to hold it in the Southern California area since it's within driving distance to the heart of the CG industry. The attendance numbers will be way down this year, I bet.

But what about those cool, hip MAC commercials...didn't mention you'd be last to receive new software releases, did they? MAC users always try to use Bootcamp as their trump card, saying "See...we can run Windows too!"...Ok then, everytime there's a new software release, stop the fussing about being left out.

I didn't say it was out of line. For such cases, the "Coated Sphere/Ball" is your "Square Icon" :P Anyone that wants to try a square logo is certainly free to do so. I tried numerous variations that aren't shown here and trying to fit a round sphere in a square peg just didn't seem to fit

For such cases, the "Coated Sphere/Ball" is your "Square Icon"

Here is another revision...one that address the 3DOC issue:

Can you show a mockup of what you had in mind? I think I understand what you're saying, but don't know how that would allow Andrew to keep the current trademark in the design.

Not offended at all...the 3DOC issue is a good point to raise. Didn't realize the trademark would possibly be considered part of the text, initially, but now can see how it could. I tried placing the trademark "coated sphere" all around the text and resized it in various ways. There are a few additional variations in mind, but for now, I'd kind of like to see what Andrew thinks so far.SonK, I first did a lot of trial and error with the text and tried like you said to see if putting some sort of division between the 3 and D, but on the whole it looked better this way, IMHO...mainly because I was shooting for a very modern font style (a lot of modification to an existing font) joined together as a singular element...not just a trademark with the text below it. If Andrew likes it thus far, then I will try to explore that idea a bit further. If anyone wants to join in and perhaps take the logo further or just join in with a different concept altogether, feel free to do so. I just wanted to give Andrew and the community some food for thought, with some preliminary designs/mockups...that allowed him to officially keep the name 3D Coat and the trademark, yet offer a fresh look to the brand to introduce with the rollout of 3DCv3 (has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?). I could picture the ad over at CGSociety, with the title,"3DC v3...Third time is a Charm."

Where is it "Infused" in the last example? Please, do tell. You're trying to impose some ridiculous non-existent rule that because one element in a logo shows depth, that the WHOLE THING HAS TO! Where did you get this notion from?These are just preliminary mockups, and I am always open to ideas and constructive critique. Problem is there are plenty of folks who derive some sense of pleasure in picking other people's work apart...ALWAYS feeling compelled to find something wrong. You appear to be one of them. Design is a very subjective thing anyway. I see alot of material in design magazines that make me want to hurl. But there's a market for some of that. What many find appealing, others will not. Like I said, the logo mockups adhere to general design principles, and I politely stated why I happened to disagree with your assessment...on the basis that it was intentionally flat and simple. You just couldn't let it go. I agree with the others who state that SOME of the variations could be misunderstood as 3DOC...that's a legitimate issue and why one of the variations leaves the trademark out entirely and another is located to the side...but you insist on fussing over the few that incorporate the trademark within the text. For that reason, I'm convinced you're one of those caustic, abrasive individuals that somehow gets satisfaction from demeaning others work. I don't feel that way at all from the other gentlemen...just you. Geo...there's no need for you to bother with any of my posts from this point on. Seems like your posts in other threads are consistently hyper-critical and negative. I put you on my ignore list, and I hope you return the favor

There are two versions that do not (in fact one of the first things I tried was placing the trademark in various locations around the text and it doesn't seem to lend itself to a design that keeps them separated)...nevertheless, nothing is being forced or infused. Being constrained with the current trademark, I had limited options and WANTED to keep the text FLAT to avoid making the whole logo appear too busy.If Andrew wants it separate, that's fine. That's why I provided different versions... feel free to do your own, but spare me the patronizing remark about needing to buy a logo book. I think I know a thing or two about the subject.

If you guys remember Andrew stated that he preferred to keep the name and trademark...because it was a lengthy and costly effort...that's why I tried to stay within those confines. The text "ZBRUSH" is also flat, with the trademark being the primary element and the one with depth. In that regard, this design is no different. In fact, I didn't copy that concept...I simply followed the K.I.S.S. method of design, and after the issue was raised that it was too flat, I went over to Pixologic's site to see how they did theirs. Same KISS method. Also, just because Autodesk chose a given style, doesn't mean it needs to be copied (square). There is no hard 'n' fast rule about logo shape in the graphic design industry. It should just follow simple design principles, which this one does...one of which is, making the text have depth too, would make it a bit too busy (text competing with the trademark). On his website header, Andrew can do a full 3D treatment with studio lighting, but the primary logo should stay rather simple.