AbnRanger
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Posts posted by AbnRanger
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I think you're on to something.I'm thinking it begins with a P and ends with an xelogic. But then again it could be just about any company, that's why I stick to PCs. :PThe book sounds awesome BTW.
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?
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You didn't know?...my new SpacePilot has a command key for that...twist the knob to adjust brew strengthSounds very intriguing. I use a wacom tablet for pretty much everything (I'm still trying to program it to make coffee)
Cough...Auto-Cough...Desk-Cough.As a Mac user, there is one company, who will remain nameless, that made me feel like we didn't matter to them. Wonder who that could be?
Quoted for agreement...his avatar certainly paralyzes evil-doers with fear!Andrew and the 3DC team rock. We need Andrew action figures with kung fu grip! -
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 usersHi Silent,I have some really fun video tutorials coming shortly. Right after the new version I'll be ready to rock and roll.
Hunter
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Are we talking about the same Dwayne Ferguson that has tutorials on Lightwave, Combustion, Photoshop, etc. over at VTC.com?Firstly, hello there everyone! My name is Dwayne Ferguson (people call me Hunter tho) and I was the art director of the television animated series Mutant League and have written several tech books on topics such as Mac OSX, Flash MX, Dreamweaver and others. Some of my clients are Walt Disney, Sony Music, Warner Bros and more. I want to thank Andrew and the super team for allowing me to work with them on one of my favorite applications.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
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Yes, the 2nd button group...someone suggested they needed icons, and I beg to differ.If I understood you correctly, you are talking about "buttons #2", and I mean "buttons #1"... correct me if I'm wrong
PS sorry for my English
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
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When when when when??? I'm ready ready ready... yeah wwhwwhwhwhwhwhwhwh
:clapping: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
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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.if anyone have any suggestions how should look like icons for "Sculpt", "Retop", "UV" and "Voxels" tools, post it in this topic
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)
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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) !
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Interface suggestion:
Click blank area to expand and contract the panel
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
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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.WOW! I really like the improvements to the UI in Alpha 83. The new outlined tab buttons, highlighting, new icons and general look and feel of things seems really polished. 83 is the best build yet!Also, thanks for adding that window maximize improvement - it works just how I wanted it to
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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.
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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:Haha. I think it's because Andrew was on vacation and hasn't come on since then.Hey you wont regret your purchase. I am loving it so far. Well worth the money spent.
So I learned something new with the setup for the mouse. For 3DC, I reversed all of controls and then changed the zooming function from push down/pull up to pan forward/back, likewise for pan up/down I changed that to push down/pull up. Works really well.
But, I am having some problems with changing the way it all works with the custom controls for 3DC. I am speaking of brush rotation, size, opacity, etc., being controls with the Space Navigator. I tried using both buttons in the settings, but nothing worked. How do you set it up? Anyone? Thanks.
http://cgi.ebay.com/3DConnexion-USB-SpaceP...93%3A1|294%3A50
Space Pilot video:
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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?
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I just picked one up exclusively for 3DC.
I really like it, but, I'm having some navigation issues with it. Anyone got some pointers? I'd also like to know how I can control brush rotation with it. Thanks!
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.
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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.Yup that is what the tool option page is for, i kinda figure we would need that in most cases. And its also a panel so you can move it or dock it somewhere else. Ideally it should be on the left, under the tools. AbnRanger, love the sliders the only down side is it seems to requires more vertical space then the current ones...hmmSorry 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
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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.I empathize with the Mac Users. Sometimes a few days without an update or a particular bug fix can feel like an eternity.
Still, a delay of a day or two is waaaay better than the weeks or months of delay you guys get from other companies, right? Ultimately I suspect that Andrew may well release all final "commercial" versions of v3 on the same day... and two days later the v4 alpha would begin!
On a completely different topic: Are there any Alpha users planning on heading to Siggraph this year?
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I am a mac user and I love my mac; unfortunately macusers are in the minority and thats life.
I am grateful to Andrew for pretty much keeping both platforms updated. All that to say, 3DC is altogether great (only God is awesome). I have been waiting for this type of application for a long time. And a great price too!
10.5.6, 2 x 3 GHz Quad-core and Probook
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.
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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
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For such cases, the "Coated Sphere/Ball" is your "Square Icon"Actually, the comment about making the logo square was not out of line... having a logo that is square makes it easier to use as icons, within the program, as a watermark, etc.It may offend artistic sensibilities, but square Logos WORK better in programs.
Not all logos are square of course, but they do trend that way... Max, zBrush, Lightwave, Apple, Photoshop... just to name just a few. FWIW.
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Here is another revision...one that address the 3DOC issue:
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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.@AbnRanger,I hope I haven't offended you or anyone here. When I QFTA, I was agreeing with the fact that it reads 3DOC, but that's all.
So, back again to the topic, I think that you could play with the letter C, like the Lightwave logo. No, I'm not saying to do exactly the same or even close to LW logo, but it's a starting point as reference of what one letter can turn out to be.
Hope that helps. Cheers.
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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.@AbnRanger,I hope I haven't offended you or anyone here. When I QFTA, I was agreeing with the fact that it reads 3DOC, but that's all.
So, back again to the topic, I think that you could play with the letter C, like the Lightwave logo. No, I'm not saying to do exactly the same or even close to LW logo, but it's a starting point as reference of what one letter can turn out to be.
Hope that helps. Cheers.
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."
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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?Your post about graphic 101 is more patronizing. We are all artists here but seems you can't really take any crit with your work so better read a book about it. We all read books or watch tutorials.You don't think its infused? Again take a look at the other logos. They are in fact separated and no need to blame 3dc graphic icon that it doesn't lend itself to design that keeps it separated or having limited options with it, being constrained, etc.
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
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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.But the difference is you chose to integrate/infuse the letters with the graphic icon which makes it rather flat,confusing and it reads like 3DOC. Its ok to make it simple but they do follow a guideline beyond graphic design 101. There's some books on corporate logo design you can read or buy.See the difference. The text is not being forced on the logo.
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.
Interface discussion
in General 3DCoat
Posted
I must say, the UI is coming along nicely. I like how Andrew replaced the knobs on the sliders with the ability to just scrub back and forth across the text.
Folks new to the program will love that.
Now what this program needs more than anything...is some comprehensive training available for it, the way ZBrush and Mudbox have