TFP_2008: Plan B...

[Nik]

Um, I've decided: Sorry, I'm not getting TFP after all.

TFP's work-flow does NOT suit my lonnng-running Medieval-ish project. Also, I have far too much time invested in layout and 3DS props such as vault modules and complex doorways to start again-- TFP not reading FP plans is my 'App-Killer'...

Plan_B is TC for props, FP_10 for 'massing models', ALL close-ups and detail in 'Poser (TM)'.

I can create / maintain cellarage, tower interior wall layouts etc etc in separate FP files. I would rather have one big plan to allow fly-throughs, but...

Crucially, 'Poser' can handle BIG files without choking. High-polygon, photo-real people models are no problem. Megabyte 'hair' models, ditto. Literally, a character's wig may have more elements than a house plan !! And Poser supports UV_Unwrap, though I may not need that. Also, Poser allows door etc models to be animated, though mechanism will take some learning, and I'm not sure about FP cross-compatibility...

One thing Poser *will* do is group selected props and characters, then save them as a block. Once I have completed and 'propulated' a room, corridor or stair-well section, I can save it as a 'portakabin' module. There's no 'snap to' grid as such, but there is a floor grid, and I can make and import my own skeletal trace, one for each FP location if necessary...

D'uh, been a good run since I outgrew and ditched '3DHA' after several months, switching to FP_6. IIRC, 'Classic' FP was meant to 'partner' TC for rapid visualisation vs technical detail, and did it very, very well. Sadly, IMHO, FP_TNG aka TFP has traded that simplicity --And *Continuity*, Darnit !!-- for a subset of Envisioneer's wondrous detailing tools...

I'll still check TFP forum from time to time, I've many friends here.
Nik

[Doug.S]

As a user of FP, TFP, TCAD and Poser

May I suggest you take a look at DAZ3D.com to see Carrara for general 3D (imports Poser stuff very well), Hexagon if you generate 3D models (organic and technical), and the free program DAZ Studio which is compatible and works with Poser (free...did I say free?....Poser-like but it is not as complete as Poser)

Carrara will handle it all including large files, fly thru animations with excellent control, super control over renders, Pro version imports and exports CAD models easily....and there are 2 forums (sponsored and un-sponsored) with excellent help from users with many years experience.

Carrara also does terrains and there are many plug-ins available at low cost....like $30 each with free updates as new releases are made (DigitalCarversGuild.com). Carrara started as Raydream so has been around ~15 years and very capable and is used professionally as well as by amateurs. It is not architecturally specific but imports FP and TFP stuff and generates stuff to export to FP and TFP.

My guess is you could easily combine it all into Carrara...now ver. 6.03   free trial,  maybe free ver 5 in 3DWorld, Feb. issue, magazine.

Forums will give you an idea of uses etc.
http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/software/0/tbg2p8sdrbcb3kbkfgiras1211/?
http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/community/0/-/?#        click on Forum
http://forum.daz3d.com/viewforum.php?f=66
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/CarraraFan
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/dazcarrara

large user base forums will answer all your questions

[Nik]

Thanks for the thought, Doug, I'll give Carrara a look !

I do get '3D World' when I see it in WHSmiths and content is not *too* intimidating. Um, WHS is across the 'mall' from nearest M&S Food, so I'll be there next week-- Provided my current wheezing lurgy doesn't develop into full-blown 'flu !!

I'm currently tackling Poser_4 for 2nd time and, four years on from first try, it is starting to make sense. I've an unopened P_7 just in case. However, P_7 is a *very big* program, and most of the P7 freebies seem to be for hi-poly Aiko, V3 & V4. There's already grumbles about program bloat...

I downloaded free GIMP for general image tweaking beyond IrfanView and ImageForge, but specifically for the palette tricks it can work on texture maps. I was hoping to learn Wings3D due reportedly shallow learning curve and ease of making Poser morph-targets.

My door & window models are all in TurboCADv9, together with recipes and screen templates. Sadly my thinking is 'mech' TC Booleans rather than 'organic' subdivision: I'm no Artist...