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September 16th, 2008
The 3D Canvas discussion forums are now available to all
users of 3D Canvas. Click here to
access the forums.
December 26th, 2007
3D Canvas 7.1.1.2 is now available for download:
Download 3D Canvas
7.1.1.2
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.1.1.2
- Default Scene Background Color
A default background color for scenes can now be selected.
- Library Background Colors
Background colors can now be set for object, material and texture
libraries.
- Enhanced Scene Details Plug-in (3D Canvas
Pro/Plus Feature)
The Scene Details plug-in now displays additional scene information.
- Improved Optimize Operation
(3D Canvas Pro/Plus Feature)
The Optimize operation now corrects more geometry problems.
- Downloadable Extras (3D Canvas Pro Feature)
Additional object libraries, sample models, scripts and plug-ins are now
available for download from the Help menu.
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.1.1.2 for Train Simulators
- Updated Train Simulator Wizard (3D Canvas Pro
Feature)
The Train Simulator Wizard now prepares and exports models to Rail
Simulator format.
- New Trainz Railroad Simulator Export (3D Canvas
Pro Feature)
3D Canvas now exports to Trainz Railroad Simulator format.
- New Rail3D Export (3D Canvas Pro Feature)
3D Canvas now exports to Rail3D stock, scenery and signal formats.
- New BVE Train Simulator Export (3D Canvas Pro
Feature)
3D Canvas now exports to BVE Train Simulator format.
- Improved MSTS Animation Export (3D Canvas Pro/3D
Canvas Plus Feature)
Animation of root groups can now be exported.
- Improved MSTS Material Export (3D Canvas Pro/3D
Canvas Plus Feature)
It is now possible to set all material attributes on a per face basis.
- Improved Support for Detailed Models in MSTS (3D
Canvas Pro/3D Canvas Plus Feature)
Models with large numbers of faces and points can now be exported to the
MSTS format.
- Improved Support for Rail Simulator Materials
(3D Canvas Pro Feature)
3D Canvas now exports secondary textures for Rail Simulator materials that
require
more than one texture.
Please note that beginning with 3D Canvas 7.1.1.1 train
related features are not enabled by default. To enable these features select
Options... from the Tools menu and click the Misc. tab.
December 6th, 2007
3D Canvas 7.1 is now available for download:
Download 3D Canvas 7.1
This version of 3D Canvas integrates many
plug-ins provided by Paul Gausden.
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.1
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.1 for Train Simulators
- New Train Simulator Engineer Plug-in (3D Canvas
Pro Feature)
Automatically generates wheels, chassis and bogies.
- New Cab Engineer Plug-in (3D Canvas Pro Feature)
Automates the building of selected parts of
locomotives.
- New Handrail Engineer Plug-in (3D Canvas Pro
Feature)
Automates the building of train handrails.
- New Buffer Engineer Plug-in (3D Canvas Pro
Feature)
Automates the building of train buffers.
- New Fit Boiler Curve Plug-in (3D Canvas Pro
Feature)
Adjusts the base of an object to fit a boiler shape.
- New Animate Rods/Pistons Plug-in (3D Canvas Pro
Feature)
Automatically generates animations for train wheel
links, connecting rods and piston objects.
December 3rd, 2007
3D Canvas 7.0.5 is now available for download:
Download 3D Canvas
7.0.5
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.0.5
- Improved Rail Simulator Export (3D Canvas Pro
Feature)
The 3D Canvas Rail Simulator Export now optionally exports generated and
custom
levels of detail.
- User Defined Fields for Groups
Custom fields for groups can now be defined by users. These fields can be
used
for documentation or as inputs for plug-ins and operations created by
third parties.
November 24th, 2007
3D Canvas 7.0.4.2 is now available for download:
Download 3D Canvas
7.0.4.2
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.0.4.2
- New Plug-In Organization
Plug-ins are now organized within the 3D Canvas menus by type.
November 21st, 2007
3D Canvas 7.0.4.1 is now available for download:
Download 3D Canvas
7.0.4.1
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.0.4.1
- Improved TrainSim Modeler Import (3D Canvas Pro
Feature)
3D Canvas now imports texture information from TainSim Modeler files.
November 19th, 2007
3D Canvas 7.0.4 is now available for download:
Download 3D Canvas
7.0.4
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.0.4
- Rail Simulator Export (3D Canvas Pro Feature)
3D Canvas now exports to the Rail Simulator IGS and IA formats.
- Improved Texture Finding
3D Canvas now searches for textures not only in the document's folder,
but also in any sub-folders.
November 16th, 2007
3D Canvas 7.0.3 is now available for download:
Download 3D Canvas
7.0.3
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.0.3
- Collada (dae) Export (3D Canvas Pro Feature)
3D Canvas now has the ability to export geometry (shapes) to Collada (dae) files.
- Quicktime 3D Metafile (3dmf) Import (3D Canvas Pro Feature)
The geometry (shapes) can now be imported from Quicktime 3D Metafiles.
November 12th, 2007
3D Canvas 7.0.2.3 is now available for download:
Download 3D Canvas
7.0.2.3
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.0.2.3
- Improved Application Load Times
3D Canvas now loads up to seven times faster for systems running
Windows Vista with NVIDIA based graphics chips. Most users will see load
times at least 50% faster.
- Improved Document Load Times
Documents that use many textures now load up to three times faster.
- Window Resizing Improved
The main 3D Canvas window can now be resized with Windows' "Show
windows contents while dragging" enabled.
May 25th, 2007
New and updated plug-ins are now available for
download.
May 17th, 2007
The 3D Canvas Figure Pack is now available for
download.
This collection of figures provides a head-start to
character modelling, unwrapping and animation using 3D Canvas.
Thank you to Barrie Martin for his hard work in providing
this valuable resource to all 3D Canvas users.
May 12th, 2007
3D Canvas is now the number one rated design software at
Download.com, the world's most popular download site.
May 11th, 2007
3D Canvas 7.0.2.2 is now available for download:
Download 3D Canvas 7.0.2.2
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.0.2
Enhanced Point and Face Selection Tool
You can now indicate specifically if you
want to choose Points, Edges or Faces, by holding down the 1, 2 or 3
buttons when using the Point and Face Selection Tool.
More Accurate Rendering
3D Canvas now supports 32 bit and 24 bit depth buffers so overlapping
objects render more accurately when in the distance.
New Scripting Method
The CanvasApplication object now includes the new method GetUnits.
March 7th,
2007
3D Canvas now support Windows Vista as well as Windows XP
and Windows 2000. Windows Vista support is included in 3D Canvas 7.0.1.2
which is now available for download:
Download 3D Canvas 7.0.1.2
What's New in 3D Canvas 7.0.1
Windows Vista Support
3D Canvas now supports Windows Vista.
TrainSim Modeler Import
Model geometries created with TrainSim
Modeler can now be imported.
Enhanced Microsoft Train Simulator
Export
The export for Microsoft Train Simulator
now provides increased support
for distance levels.
New
Optimize Operation Option
The Optimize operation has a new
option to remove duplicate faces.
January 14th,
2007
A new plug-in is now available for 3D Canvas 7 that
imports TrainSim Modeler files. Click
here for more
information.
January 7th,
2007
3D Canvas 7 is now available for download:
Download 3D Canvas 7
What's New in 3D Canvas 7
- Spherical Environment Mapping
Simulated reflections are now supported via spherical environment
mapping.
- Specular Mapping
Simulated specular highlights are now supported via specular mapping.
- Object Instance Cloning (3D Canvas Pro Feature)
Objects can now be cloned using instance cloning. All changes made to
a cloned object are immediately applied to all clones.
- Material Plug-Ins (3D Canvas Pro Feature)
Material plug-ins are now supported. This allows third parties to
extend the material features of 3D Canvas.
- Near Viewing in Perspective Views
It is now possible to view objects ten times closer than in previous
releases.
- Material Editor
The
Object Properties window now displays an editable list of materials used
by the object.
- Object Locking
Objects can now be locked so that accidental changes do not occur.
- Title Bar Hiding
3D Canvas' title bar can now be hidden to provide more modeling
space.
- User Defined Fields for Objects
Custom fields for objects can now be defined by users. These fields
can be used for documentation or as inputs for plug-ins and operations
created by
third parties.
- User Defined Fields for Materials
Custom fields for materials can now be defined by users. These fields
can be used for documentation or as inputs for plug-ins and operations
created by
third parties.
- Adjust Alpha Test Material Plug-In (3D Canvas
Pro Feature)
The texture translucency level that should be rendered as transparent can
now be adjusted via the Adjust Alpha Test material plug-in.
- Set Specular Color Material Plug-In (3D Canvas
Pro Feature)
The color of specular highlighting can now be set via the Set Specular
Color material plug-in.
- Material Palette Improvements
The Material Palette has been redesigned to better group related items.
- Improved Solid Outline Rendering
Solid Outline rendering has been improved to display clearer lines.
- Support for DDS Textures
Microsoft DirectDraw Surface (DDS) textures are now supported.
- New Texture Formats for the Freeware Version
The freeware version of 3D Canvas now supports all the texture formats
of 3D Canvas Pro.
- Additional Background Image File Formats
Background images can now be in any texture format supported by 3D
Canvas.
This version can be installed along
side 3D Canvas 6.5 and 6.6.
3D Canvas 7 is a free upgrade for anyone who purchased either 3D Canvas Pro,
3D Canvas Plus, or a version upgrade March 19th, 2005 or later. Customers
who purchased before that date or who would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas
Plus to 3D Canvas Pro 7 can upgrade
here.
January 6th,
2007
3D Canvas 6.6 is now available for download:
Download 3D
Canvas 6.6.5.12
This version can be installed along
side 3D Canvas 6.5.1.0.
What's New in 3D Canvas 6.6
- New 3D Renderer
The 3D Canvas 3D renderer has been completely re-written so as to allow for the
new rendering features of today's 3D graphics cards.
- Real-time True Shadows
True shadows can now be rendered in real time.
- Bump Mapping
The new 3D Canvas renderer supports Dot Product 3 bump mapping.
- Cartoon Rendering
Real-time Cartoon Rendering is now supported.
- Enhanced Support for Backdrop Plans
Backdrop plan support has been enhanced to support non-square plans and
automatic scaling of plans.
- Five New Import Formats (3D Canvas Pro Feature)
Maya (rtg)
RealiMation 4.1 (rbs)
StereoLithography (stl)
VideoScape (geo)
XYZ (xyz)
- Eleven New Export Formats (3D Canvas Pro
Feature)
Lightscape (lp)
Open Inventor (iv)
Maya (ma)
Quicktime 3D Metafile (3dmf)
RealiMation 4.1 (rbs)
Softimage 3.5 (xsi)
StereoLithography (stl)
TurboSilver (ts)
VideoScape (geo)
Viewpoint (mtx)
X3D (X3D)
- Anisotropic Filtering
Textures can be filtered using
Anisotropic filtering.
- Improved Point and Face Selection
The selection of points and faces on heavily deformed objects is now
more accurate.
- Improved Outline Rendering Mode
Outline mode now renders lines more clearly.
- Hardware Anti-aliasing of Snapshots and
Videos (3D Canvas Pro Feature)
3D Canvas now renders snapshots and videos using hardware anti-aliasing.
- New Edge Operation Features
The Edge operation can now create edges between existing edges. It also
allows multiple points to be joined in a single
operation.
- Enhanced Group Selection Tool
The Group Selection Tool can now be used to select multiple edges.
- Rendering of Complex Faces
3D Canvas now renders concave and highly distorted faces
- New Import Options
There are nine new import options including automatic centering with a
scene,
resizing, creasing, defaulting textures and geometry manipulation options.
- Hover Object Details
Hovering the cursor over an object now displays the name of the object,
the size
of the object, the number of faces and points, and the name of the texture
applied to the object
- Hover Position Details
The position the cursor is hovering over is now displayed.
- Distance From Selected Point Displayed
When a point on an object is selected, the distance from the selected
point to the hover position, or point position is displayed.
- Improved Consolidate and Merge Triangles Operations
(3D Canvas Pro Feature)
These operations can now optionally merge faces and triangles of
dissimilar materials.
- Improved Support For Materials during Import and
Export
Translucency, specular, ambient and diffuse material properties
are now preserved during import and export.
- Improved Support for Non-Square Textures
Non-square textures are now displayed in the original proportions.
- Improved Import and Export Speed
Files now import and export more quickly.
- Improved support for Targa and PNG textures
3D Canvas now loads Targa and PNG textures more quickly.
3D Canvas 6.6 is a free upgrade for
those who purchased 3D Canvas after June 17th, 2002. Customers who purchased
before that date or who would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas Plus to 3D Canvas
Pro 6.6 can upgrade
here.
Requires a 3D graphics card that supports this feature.
November 25th, 2006
Eighteen tutorials for 3D Canvas are now available in
French. Thanks to Dominique Tarel for providing the translations.
March 20th, 2005
3D Canvas 6.5.1.0 is now available for
download.
What's New in 3D Canvas 6.5.1.0
- Additional Imports for Freeware Version
The freeware version of 3D Canvas now includes import support for:
- Biovision (bvh)
- MD2
- Neutral Object Format (nof)
- Raw Triangles (raw)
- Wavefront (obj)
- WorldToolKit (nff)
- Imagine (iob) Import/Export (3D Canvas Pro only)
- XGL (xgl) Import/Export (3D Canvas Pro only)
- ZGL (zgl) Import/Export (3D Canvas Pro only)
- Lightwave (lwo) Import Improved (3D Canvas Pro only)
Imported Lightwave files now retain texture information.
September 22nd, 2004
Congratulations to George Kim the winner of the Summer 2004 Pro/Plus
Modelling Competition for his entry "The Swimmer":
June 6th, 2004
The Summer modelling competition is underway. Models must be of a character, be begun with a single cube, and must use the Subdivision Surfaces feature of 3D Canvas to be
eligible. Winners receive a free upgrade to 3D Canvas Pro 6.5.
Contest ends September 5th, 2004. Winners to be announced September 30th,
2004.
May 5th,
2004
3D Canvas 6.5 Revision 5
is now available for
download.
What's New in 3D Canvas 6.5
- Enhanced Boolean Operations (3D Canvas Pro only)
Boolean operations now produce fewer faces and points.
- Renderer Improvements
The 3D Canvas renderer now displays multi-layered translucency and
transparency.
- Improved Divide Operation
The Divide operation has a new option to allow for horizontal and
vertical divisions.
- Enhanced Crease Operation
The Crease operation now creases faces that have collinear edges.
- New Repair Geometry Operation (3D Canvas Pro
only)
The new Repair Geometry operation corrects problems with model geometry
such as collinear edges and concave facets.
- Auto-Creasing
3D Canvas now automatically re-creases after many operations in order
to correct creasing problems introduced by geometry changes.
- Enhanced MD2 Export (3D Canvas Plus/Pro only)
The MD2 export can now export hierarchies as well as individual objects.
- New Consolidate Operation (3D Canvas Pro only)
The new Consolidate operation automatically merges faces where the
resulting merged faces are planar and convex.
- Microsoft Train Simulator Wizard Enhanced (3D
Canvas Plus/Pro only)
The Train Simulator Wizard now supports the export of custom levels of
detail. It also supports the export of unconsolidated sub-objects for the
creation of signals.
- New Merge Triangles Operation (3D Canvas Pro
only)
Automatically merges triangles where the resulting faces are planar and
convex.
- New Create Unique Names Plug-in (3D Canvas Pro
only)
This new plug-in creates unique names for each group and object in the
hierarchy selected.
- Enhanced Extrude Operation
The Extrude operation can now extrude based on the average face
direction.
- New De-triangulate Operation (3D Canvas Pro
only)
Automatically converts triangle faces to quadrilateral (four-sided)
faces.
- Improved Solidify Operation (3D Canvas Plus/Pro
only)
The Solidify operation now uses a more sophisticated approach to
solidifying objects.
- Operation Material Improvements
All operations now retain material information.
- Improved Face Highlighting
Faces selected while in wireframe mode are now more visible.
- Automatic Point Handle Resizing
The handles for selected points are now resized based on the viewing position.
- Automatic Recovery of Selection after Undo
Object, Face, Edge and Point selections are now recovered after an undo.
- Reduced Memory Usage
Memory usage is reduced for scenes with large numbers of layers.
- Plug-ins Enhanced (3D Canvas Pro only)
Plug-ins can now be applied to selected groups and hierarchies.
- New Scripting methods (3D Canvas Pro only)
The CanvasApplication class now includes six new methods: GetSnapToMode,
GetSnapToObjectInterval, GetSnapToPointInterval, GetCanvasMode,
GetCanvasModeTime and GetTrainSimulatorUtilsPath.
The CanvasGroup's ExportToTrainSimulator method now supports
non-consolidated sub-objects.
The CanvasObject class now includes three new methods: Reduce, Optimize
and DeleteFace.
The CanvasScene class now includes three new methods: GetSelectionType,
GetCameraGroup, GetActiveFaceObjectIndex. It also supports multiple active
groups and objects.
- Scene Script Now Supported (3D Canvas Pro
only)
Each scene can now have its own script. This can be used as a controlling
script for all scene components rather than having a script for each
individual group and/or object.
- Third Party Operations (3D Canvas
Pro only)
Third party developers and users can now create operations for 3D Canvas
Pro.
- Chamfer Operation Enhanced (3D Canvas Plus/Pro
only)
The Chamfer operation has a new parameter so that you can easily change
the chamfer amount.
- New Ctrl-Key and Function Key Shortcuts
All Tools, Rendering Modes and Highlight Modes can now be selected via
Ctrl-Key combinations or Function keys.
3D Canvas 6.5 is a free upgrade for
those who purchased 3D Canvas after June 17th, 2002. Customers who purchased
before that date or who would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas LP/Plus to 3D Canvas
Pro 6.5 can upgrade
here.
April 4th, 2004
A review of 3D Canvas is now available
at Download.com. The reviewer gave 3D Canvas Download.com's highest rating
(5 out of 5). To read the review click
here.
April 3rd, 2004
Two new plug-ins by Deanville are now available.
New models by Barrie Martin (Bazza) are
now available.
January 18th, 2004
The 3D
Canvas FAQ has been updated to include new information on correcting
errors received when running 3D Canvas.
November 24th, 2003
The Fall modelling competition is underway. There is a competition for
the freeware version
here
and one for the Pro/LP/Plus versions
here.
Winners receive a free upgrade to 3D Canvas Pro 6.5.
Contest ends December 21st, 2003. Winners to be announced December 23rd,
2003.
November 8th, 2003
New and improved discussion forums for 3D Canvas Pro/Plus/LP users are
now available.
October 1st,
2003
3D Canvas 6.0.2.4 is now available for
download.
This release corrects a problem where animated objects and skeletons were
not being exported properly to Shockwave 3D.
3D
Canvas Plus is now available for purchase. 3D Canvas Plus replaces 3D
Canvas LP. 3D Canvas LP users will continue to receive the same features
with each free upgrade to 3D Canvas.
3D Canvas 6.0.2.4 is a free upgrade for
those who purchased 3D Canvas after June 17th, 2002. Customers who purchased
before that date or who would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas LP/Plus to 3D Canvas
Pro 6.0 can upgrade
here.
September 29th,
2003
3D Canvas 6.0.2.3 is now available for
download.
What's New
- Weld To Range Plug-in
(3D Canvas Plus/Pro only)
The Weld To Range plug-in is now included in the
install for 3D Canvas Plus/Pro. It is used to weld together points that are
within a specified range.
- Sampling of Plug-Ins from
Paul Gausden's Plug-in Pack
(3D Canvas Plus/Pro only)
The Pipe Builder, Reset Animation Positions and Shift
Center plug-ins from Paul
Gausden's Plug-in Pack are available to 3D Canvas Plus and 3D Canvas
Pro users.
Thanks to Paul Gauden for providing these plug-ins for 3D Canvas Plus and
3D Canvas Pro users.
3D Canvas 6.0.2.3 is a free upgrade for
those who purchased 3D Canvas after June 17th, 2002. Customers who purchased
before that date or who would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas LP/Plus to 3D Canvas
Pro 6.0 can upgrade
here.
September 28th,
2003
3D Canvas 6.0.2.2 is now available for
download.
What's New
- Freeware version now imports
DirectX (x) files
All versions of 3D Canvas now import the DirectX (x)
files.
3D Canvas 6.0.2.2 is a free upgrade for
those who purchased 3D Canvas after June 17th, 2002. Customers who purchased
before that date or who would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas LP/Plus to 3D Canvas
Pro 6.0 can upgrade
here.
September 24th,
2003
3D Canvas 6.0.2.0 is now available for
download.
What's New
- Multi-User Installations
3D Canvas now supports installation on multi-user
systems. See the ReadMe file included with the 3D Canvas download for more information.
3D Canvas 6.0.2.0 is a free upgrade for
those who purchased 3D Canvas after June 17th, 2002. Customers who purchased
before that date or who would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas LP/Plus to 3D Canvas
Pro 6.0 can upgrade
here.
September 7th,
2003
3D Canvas 6.0.1.3 is now available for
download.
What's New
- Point Gliding
Points can now be moved along an edge or across a specific plane using the
new point gliding function.
- New Taper Operation
A new simpler Taper operation is now available. It now includes simple
volume based controls to easily select the region of the object to taper.
The old Taper operation is still available and is now called the Taper+
operation.
3D Canvas 6.0.1.3 is a free upgrade for
those who purchased 3D Canvas after June 17th, 2002. Customers who purchased
before that date or who would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas LP to 3D Canvas
Pro 6.0 can upgrade
here.
September 3rd,
2003
3D Canvas 6.0.1.2 is now available for
download.
What's New
- New Twist Operation
(3D Canvas LP/Pro only)
A new simpler Twist operation is now available. It now includes simple
volume based controls to easily select the region of the object to
twist.
The old Twist operation is still available and is now called the
Twist+
operation.
3D Canvas 6.0.1.2 is a free upgrade for
those who purchased 3D Canvas after June 17th, 2002. Customers who purchased
before that date or who would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas LP to 3D Canvas
Pro 6.0 can upgrade
here.
July 24th,
2003
3D Canvas 6.0.1.1 is now available for
download.
What's New since 3D Canvas 6.0
- New Bend Operation
A new simpler Bend operation is now available. It now includes simple
volume based controls to easily select the region of the object to bend.
The old Bend operation is still available and is now called the Warp
operation.
- User-Configurable Function Sets
Options are now available to define which sets of
operations, plug-ins and scripts are available. This allows users to
remove clutter by hiding functions that they do not use on a regular
basis.
- Non-Linear Navigation and
Editing
The Navigation and Edit Controls now work in a non-linear fashion.
This allows easier modelling of large objects.
3D Canvas 6.0.1.1 is a free upgrade for
those who purchased 3D Canvas after June 17th, 2002. Customers who purchased
before that date or who would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas LP to 3D Canvas
Pro 6.0 can upgrade
here.
April 27th,
2003
3D Canvas 6.0 Revision 4 is now available for
download.
What's New in 3D Canvas 6.0
- Subdivision Surfaces
Objects can now behave as subdivision surfaces where the object is
automatically smoothed in real time as changes are being made.
- Real Time Mirroring (3D Canvas Pro only)
Objects can now be automatically mirrored in real time.
- In-place Operations
Many operations can now have their parameters adjusted without
opening pop-up windows.
- Additional Keyboard Shortcuts
New keyboard shortcuts allow for temporary overrides of the current
modeling constraints and the current modeling coordinates mode.
- Custom Operation Defaults
Operations now support User defined parameters defaults.
- Enhanced Primitives Parameters
The parameters for primitives can now be adjusted without the need
to open a pop-up window.
- Custom Primitive Defaults
Primitives now support user-defined parameter defaults.
- Custom Material Defaults
The material palette now supports user-defined defaults.
- Enhanced Smooth Operation
The Smooth operation has new options to permit multiple smoothing
levels and tension.
The smooth operation also now retains material information and is
up to thirty times faster than in previous releases.
- Enhanced Divide Operation
The Divide operation now retains material information when applied
to whole objects and is up to thirty times faster than in previous
releases.
- User-defined Default Creasing
A default creasing factor can now be specified for objects. This
creasing factor is used by operations to re-crease the object
whenever the operation can not retain creasing.
- New Scripting methods (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
The Object class now includes two new methods GetCreaseFactor and
SetCreaseFactor. These methods are used to support default creasing.
3D Canvas 6.0 is a free upgrade for
those who purchased 3D Canvas after June 17th, 2002. Customers who purchased
before that date or who would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas LP to 3D Canvas
Pro 6.0 can upgrade
here.
January 5th, 2003
New models by
Harold
Horsley are now available for
download.
New images by
Harold Horsley, Il
Barbudo, and Fozzy Bear have been added to the
gallery.
November 3rd, 2002
A new model by Alan East
is now
available.
October 22nd, 2002
Five new and updated plug-ins by Paul
Gausden are now available. Includes
a new plug-in that animates steam engine rods for Microsoft Train Simulator
models.
October 21st, 2002
New models by
Harold
Horsley are now available for
download.
New images by
Harold Horsley and Justin Hoffman have been added to the
gallery.
October 1st, 2002
Ian Morgan's Creating a Tool Store tutorial has been
updated. It is a great
introduction for those who want to create models for Microsoft Train
Simulator, and is useful for all novice 3D Canvas users.
New models by Harold Horsley and Les Patterson are now
available for download. New
images by Harold Horsley have been added to the gallery.
August 14th, 2002
A new plug-in by Paul Gausden is now
available. The MSTS Engineer
plug-in is used to generate bogies and wheels for train models.
August 6th, 2002
New models by
Harold
Horsley are now available for
download.
New images by
Harold Horsley have been added to the
gallery.
August 3rd, 2002
3D Canvas 5.7a is now available for
download. 3D Canvas 5.7a is a free upgrade for
all registered users.
What's New in 3D Canvas 5.7a
- New Crease-All Plug-In (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Creases all objects in a scene.
- Extrude Operation Enhanced
The Extrude operation is now more accurate on heavily deformed faces.
June 21st, 2002
A new plug-in by Paul Gausden is now
available. The Wheelz plug-in is
primarily used for creating wheels with spokes for Microsoft Train
Simulator.
June 18th, 2002
3D Canvas 5.7 is now available for
download. 3D Canvas 5.7 is a free upgrade for
all registered users.
What's New in 3D Canvas 5.7
- Enhanced Object Building Tools
The Lathe, Extrude, Text and Terrain tools now provide in-place views
to simplify model creation.
- Skeletal Auto-Weighting System
An enhanced auto-weighting system for bones is now available that improves
the skin's appearance around joints.
- Bone Range of Effect Improvements
Bones now have more flexible facilities for setting bone effect ranges,
including the ability to encompass irregular shapes.
- Outline Rendering Mode
A new rendering mode has been added where the faces that make up an object
are rendered outlined.
- Microsoft Flight Simulator Export
Exporting to Microsoft Flight Simulator format is now supported.
- Microsoft Train Simulator Export Enhanced
The Microsoft Train Simulator export now supports specular highlighting.
- Optimize Function
Removes inactive object layers to reduce file size.
- Clone Function Enhanced (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
The Clone function now operates on object hierarchies.
- New Scripting Method (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
New Bone object method:
GetAffectedPointWeight
Note that plug-in developers must now implement the "GetName" and "GetAuthor"
methods. Examples are provided in the "Plug-in/Samples" folder.
April 22nd,
2002
A new train model for Microsoft Train
Simulator by Paul Gausden is now available for
download.
April 21st, 2002
3D Canvas 5.6 is now available for
download. 3D Canvas 5.6 is a free upgrade for
all registered users.
What's New
- Shockwave 3D Export
Export to the Shockwave 3D (w3d) format is now supported.
Export of animation and skeletal information requires
3D Canvas Pro.
For more information on 3D Canvas' Shockwave 3D export see the
Shockwave 3D
FAQ.
- Improved DirectX Export (Available with
3D Canvas
LP/Pro)
The DirectX export has been updated to conform to DirectX 8. This
allows for the export of skeletal objects (skinned meshes).
- Enhanced Extrude Operation
The Extrude Operation now extrudes edges as well as faces.
- Improved Wavefront (OBJ) Export
(Available with 3D Canvas Pro)
Wavefront (OBJ) files are no longer triangulated on export.
- Extrude Tool Enhanced
The Extrude Tool is now capable of creating 2-d extrudes.
- Train Simulator Wizard Enhanced (Available with
3D Canvas
LP/Pro)
- Now supports all available compression formats.
- Supports water and coal intakes for tenders.
- Now permits animation information to optionally be updated so that
pre-animated models retain their animation information.
- Automatically orients the part identification view towards model.
- Triangulate Operation Improved (Available with
3D Canvas
LP/Pro)
The Triangulate operation now preserves materials and is considerably
faster.
- Lathe Tool Enhanced
The Lathe Tool now supports the creation of solid lathe segments.
- Boolean Operations Improved (Available with
3D Canvas
LP/Pro)
Boolean operations are now more accurate and no longer require
pre-triangulation.
- UV Map/UV Re-Map/UnWrap Operations Enhanced
(Available with 3D Canvas LP/Pro)
These operations now support mapping rotation.
March 25th,
2002
The gallery has been
updated with a new image by Curtis Istre.
March 21st,
2002
A new
Unwrapping Techniques tutorial is available.
March 20th,
2002
Five new tutorials are available.
Included are tutorials on
Deforming Objects,
Particle Emissions,
Particle Paths,
Creating Hollow Extrudes and
Creating Visible Light.
The Object Cleaner script has been updated
with improved welding of UV points.
New images by Alan East and
Les Patterson have been added to the 3D
Canvas gallery.
March 16th,
2002
The gallery has been updated with a new image
by Mel Ebbles.
March 15th,
2002
Three new models by Alan East are now
available.
The gallery has been updated with a new image
by Alan East.
March 13th,
2002
A new
Using Textures tutorial is available.
March 10th, 2002
A new
Using the Lathe Tool tutorial is available.
The Create
Triangle plug-in has been updated.
March 8th,
2002
The new
Merge Faces plug-in is now available for download.
March 6th,
2002
Two new tutorials are available. Added are the
Resizing Objects tutorial and the
Creating Beveled Text tutorial.
March 2nd, 2002
New images by Harold Horsley
and Les Patterson were added to the
gallery.
February 24th, 2002
Two new tutorials are available. Added are the
Oriented Modeling tutorial and the
Object Unwrapping tutorial.
February 21st, 2002
A new modeling
tutorial
by Alan
East is available.
A new Morph Targets
script by Alex.
February 17th, 2002
3D Canvas tutorials and
documentation are now available at the Amabilis web site.
February 15th, 2002
New gallery items have been added by
Alan East, and
Patrick.
February 10th, 2002
George Jenner's scripting
tutorials have been expanded and now include information on creating
plug-ins.
New gallery items have been added by
Terence Thornton,
Ian Morgan, and
Rick Lamp.
February 8th, 2002
3D Canvas 5.5 is now available for download. 3D Canvas
5.5 is a free upgrade for all registered users.
What's New in 3D Canvas 5.5
- Right-Click Access to Common Operations
Many of the most common operations are now available via the
right-click popup menu.
- Right-Click Selection Features
Many new object, face, edge and point selection features have been
added to the right-click popup menus. New features include Select Group,
Grow Selection, Edge Loop, By Direction, By Material etc.
- Center Mouse Button Navigation
The center mouse button is now used as a navigation button.
Center-dragging while the mouse pointer is over an object examines the
object. Center-dragging while not over an object results in zooming
in/out. Holding down the ctrl, shift, or ctrl-shift keys provide
additional navigation options.
- Chamfer Operation (3D Canvas LP/Pro only)
Chamfers points and edges.
- Chamfer Scaling
Chamfer scaling is available by shift-dragging on the scale planes of the
Edit Control.
- Point Position Operation
Permits direct entry of the position of the selected point.
- Inset Operation
Creates a new faces inset within the selected face or faces.
- Smooth Operation
Uses a new smoothing algorithm. This result is better adherence to the
general shape of the original object.
- Soften Operation
Softens the edges of an object. Similar to the Smooth operation though
it does not increase the number of faces or points. It also can be used on
a selection of faces, edges or points.
- Equalize Operation
Equalizes a selection of points along either the X, Y or Z
axes.
- Bridge Operation (3D Canvas LP/Pro only)
Creates a bridge between two faces.
- Weld-Nearest Operation (3D Canvas LP/Pro only)
Welds the nearest neighboring point to the selected point.
- Weld-To-First Operation (3D Canvas LP/Pro only)
Welds all selected points to the first selected point.
- Weld-To-Nearest Operation (3D Canvas LP/Pro
only)
Welds the selected point to its nearest neighboring point.
- Divide Operation
The Divide operation can now divide edges into a user-selectable number of
edges.
- Mirror/Flip Operations (3D Canvas LP/Pro only)
The Mirror operation has been renamed the Flip operation. A new Mirror
operation takes its place which automates the entire mirroring process
including the removal of interior faces. Also, both operations now support
mirroring on the X, Y and Z axes.
- Extrude Operation
The Extrude operation now has the option of extruding a group of faces
as a region or individually. If faces are extruded as a region they remain
linked after the extrusion.
- Trim Operation
The Trim operation is now available in the freeware version of 3D
Canvas.
- Scale Operation
The Scale operation is now available in the freeware version of 3D
Canvas.
- Improved Grouping
3D Canvas now uses a familiar grouping concept. Groups, and group
hierarchies can be selected and manipulated as a whole.
- Automatic Face Re-Selection
The faces most likely to be used for the next operation are automatically
re-selected.
- New Scripting method (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
New Face object method:
GetFaceNormal
January 22nd, 2002
3D Canvas 5.0.8 is now available for download. 3D Canvas
5.0.8 is a free upgrade for all registered users.
What's New in 3D Canvas 5.0.8
- Importing and Exporting of the MD2 Format (3D Canvas
Pro/LP only)
- Adjust Points Operation (3D Canvas Pro only)
Used to animate points. A typical use for this operation is the animation
of facial expressions.
- Unlink Operation (3D Canvas Pro only)
Used to unlink faces so that they no longer share points. When applied
following a Burst or Swirl operation it permits their animation to be
exported to MD2 and Neutral Object Format.
- Support for the PCX Textures
- Enhanced Neutral Object Format Import and Export (3D
Canvas LP/Pro only)
- Skeleton Enabling and Disabling
All bones associated with a skin can now be enabled or disabled en-masse.
- Combined Skeletal and Operation Animation
Operation animation and skeletal animation can now be combined on a single
object. As an example, this permits facial animation using the Adjust
Points operation to be combined with skeletal animation of limbs.
January 15th, 2002
3D Canvas 5.0.7 is now available for download. 3D Canvas
5.0.7 is a free upgrade for all registered users.
What's New in 3D Canvas 5.0.7
- Train Simulator Wizard Plug-In
Version 1.1 (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Adds support for the engineer "head out" view, fuel and freight
intakes, and passenger view positions.
- New Tutorials (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Five new tutorials have been
added covering cross section modeling, point reduction and using Boolean
operations.
January 14th, 2002
Five new tutorials have been
added covering cross section modeling, point reduction and using Boolean
operations.
January 13th, 2002
Two new and updated plug-ins
are available for download:
- Train Simulator Wizard 1.1 (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Adds support for the engineer "head out" view, fuel and freight
intakes, and passenger view positions.
- Weld To Range
(3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Used to weld together points that are within a specified range.
January 11th, 2002
3D Canvas 5.0.5 is now available for download. 3D Canvas
5.0.5 is a free upgrade for all registered users.
What's New in 3D Canvas 5.0.5
- Train Simulator Wizard Plug-In (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
A wizard that assists in configuring and exporting models to Microsoft
Train Simulator format.
- Flat-Wireframe Rendering Mode
A new rendering mode where the faces that make up an object are
rendered outlined.
- Importing and Exporting of Neutral Object Format
(NOF) (3D Canvas Pro/LP Only)
- Normalize Fames Plug-In (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Sets all of the scene's frames to the default orientation while retaining
the appearance of the scene.
- Fill Untextured Plug-In (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Fills all untextured faces with the current material from the material
palette.
- Count Untextured Plug-In (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Counts the number of untextured faces.
Four new new plug-ins
are also available for download:
- Add Triangle To Edge
(3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Creates a triangle. Uses a selected edge as one of its three edges.
- Create Triangle
(3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Creates a triangle from three selected points.
- Weld Nearest
(3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Moves the point nearest to the selected point to the same location as
the selected point.
- Weld To Nearest (3D Canvas Pro/LP only)
Moves the selected point to the location of the nearest point.
January 7th, 2002
The Microsoft Train Simulator
galleries have been updated to include new images by Kevin Martin and
Rick Lamp.
December 26th, 2001
3D Canvas 5.0.4 is now available for download. 3D Canvas
5.0.4 is a free upgrade for all registered users.
December 22nd, 2001
A new tutorial by Mike Simpson
on animating for Microsoft Train Simulator is
now available.
December 21st, 2001
Two new tutorials by Ian
Morgan on animating for Microsoft Train Simulator are
now available.
December 20th, 2001
The Microsoft Train Simulator
galleries have been updated to include new images by Ian Morgan and
Kevin Martin.
December 19th, 2001
The Microsoft Train Simulator
gallery has been updated to include new images by Kevin Martin.
December 15th, 2001
- A new script written by Alex Grigny de Castro is now
available.
December 12th, 2001
November 17th, 2001
3D Canvas 5.0 is now available for download. 3D Canvas
5.0 is a free upgrade for all registered users.
What's New in 3D Canvas 5.0
- Direct Raytracing (3D Canvas Pro only)
A single click on the "Raytrace" button on the main toolbar raytraces your
scene. The image is displayed directly in 3D Canvas. This requires that
either POVRay or Blue Moon Rendering Tools is installed. Both are
available for free. Clicking the Raytrace button on the main toolbar
provides more information on where to download these products.
- Improved Importing and Exporting (3D Canvas Pro only)
Importing and exporting are now faster and texture coordinates are
preserved for most formats. New formats include Renderware (RWX) and
limited support for Lightwave (LWO).
- Animated Light Properties
Light properties such as light color/intenstity can now be animated.
- Animated Camera Properties
Camera properties such as depth of field can now be animated.
- Bumpmapping (3D Canvas Pro only - Raytracing only)
- Support for RenderMan/Blue Moon Rendering Tools
- Object Nudge
Objects can be nudged tiny increments using the arrow keys on the
keyboard.
- Expanded Raytracing Material attributes (3D Canvas Pro only)
Many additional POVRay material attributes are supported including
predefined materials and color patterns.
- Terrain Building Tool (3D Canvas Pro only)
Terrain can now be created using the new Terrain Building Tool. Terrain
can be random, based on Height Maps, or created using Fractals.
- Oriented tools and operations
All relevant tools and operations can now be applied using an orientation.
The possible orientations are:
Standard, Screen, World, Object and Face
- Integrated Timeline (3D Canvas Pro only)
The timeline can now be displayed when animating. This allows for direct
selection of animation times and easy manipulation of key-frames.
- Animation Sequences (3D Canvas Pro only)
Animation sequences can now be saved with an object so that they can be
used as needed when the object is used in multiple scenes. For example a
walk-sequence, run-sequence etc. could be defined for a model of a human.
This model could then be stored in an object library and used in multiple
scenes including only those sequences necessary for a particular scene.
- Orientation Previews
The orientation of an operation can now be previewed. An orientation map
is applied to the active selection so that the exact orientation of the
operation is visible.
- Material Wrapping Previews
The orientation and wrapping appearance of texture wraps can now be
previewed.
- Operations can now be applied to groups
Operations can now be applied to Object hierarchies that have been
Alt-Selected.
- Enhanced Shift Tool
Now permits the use of the edit control. This allows the center of
rotation to be rotated as well as moved.
- Enhanced Rotation Axis Tool
Now permits the use of the edit control. This allows more precise
orientation.
- ActiveX Plugins (3D Canvas LP/Pro only)
Developers can now create ActiveX plugins as well scripts for 3D Canvas
Pro. The 3D Canvas API described in the online help is used in the same
way for ActiveX plugins as it is for scripts. There are several plugin
samples written in Visual Basic in the Plugins\Samples folder. Of
particular note is the NameIt sample which uses a 3D Canvas viewport to
view the scene, allow navigation and selection of objects from within the
plugin. (Note that this viewport is not temporarily unavailable due to
an installation issue)
- New Orthographic Views
In addition to the current Front, Top and Side (Left) views there are now
Rear, Bottom and Right Side views.
- UV Re-Map Operation
Permits adjustment of texture coordinates on texture mapped objects
without affecting any other aspect of their material.
- Material Update Plug-in
Updates the selected object, or object faces with the current material in
the Material Palette.
- Enhanced Unwrap Operation
Now permits adjustment of texture coordinates prior to creation of the
texture map. Also permits an entire object to be unwrapped onto a single
texture.
- Selectable Units
Units of Meters, Centimeters and Feet can be selected. Units are displayed
appropriately on status bars and with object properties.
- Automatic conversion of models created in Feet to Meters when
exporting to Microsoft Train Simulator's "S" format
- Enhanced toolbars
Toolbars can now be customized based on your usage of 3D Canvas.
- Objects can now be displayed using points
- Frame Orientation Reset Operation
Resets the frame of the selected object to the default orientation.
- The 3D Canvas grid can now be displayed in wireframe or using
points.
- Improved Flatten Operation (3D canvas Pro/LP only)
Now permits flattening of object sub-sections and non-uniform flattening.
- Improved Crease Operation
Now permits creasing of individual faces, edges and points.
- Area Lights (Raytracing only)
When used with raytracing, Area lights produce soft shadows.
- New Scripting methods
New Scene object methods:
GetAnimationKeyFrameCount
SetAnimationKeyFrameCount
GetAnimationKeyFPS
SetAnimationKeyFPS
New Frame object methods:
ExportToDirectX
ExportToTrainSimulator
- Support for TIF textures
April 18th, 2000
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