Antics 3D

[Nik]

Hi !
Been a while, but I've brought an interesting question...

Anyone using Antics 3D ??
http://www.antics3d.com/index.php

The base-program is free, it seems to import 3DS meshes per FP, it allows animation (!) and seems to have more in common with 'Classic' FP than TFP...

Thoughts ??

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Nik,

Nice to hear from you again. 
No I haven't tried Antics 3D (strange name).  How big is the download? (I don't have broadband yet - will get around to it sometime).
Is it any good at realistic rendering?

Allan

[Nik]

Hi, Allan !

From what I've seen on their site, plus a tutorial in a recent PC mag, it is intended as a 'studio' story-board, 3D visualisation program. It can do floors, walls, rooms, stairs, doors, windows etc etc, plus 'lighting' and animation, but *not* hi-res renders.

IMHO, that puts it nearer 'Classic' FP country than either TFP or TurboCAD...

I'm sorry, I don't know how big their 'free' download is, nor what 'utility packs' would be needed for serious architectural work.

Site says the program imports 3DS, but I cannot find export formats. I have the freebie on the mag's cover disk, will try to play with it, establish limits...

D'uh, things have been hectic here due family illness etc: Somehow, I've also found time to acquire, install a modest wireless router and a pair of NAS drives...

[rgathje]

  I have been playing with Antic 3D a little. The base pack is 178 meg and the add on base content is 123 meg. It is all free to use and try. The pro versionis $600 and that includes free content for the rest of the site. I can't afford the pro but it is interesting and fun playing with the base pack. It is used as an animated story board but there are some movies out there. The graphics are basic with a little detail. Since it is free with registration try it but you will need a highspeed connection.

[Allan Chesney]

Thanks for the extra information.  I don't have broadband at present although I did download 130MB the other day -took 8 hours!!   My aim is photographic realism so if the graphics are 'basic' as you say, I may give it a miss.

Allan

[Doug.S]

Another program to consider, free, and does some modelling and import/export .3ds (including fonts....and there are many fonts/wingdings useful for special objects such as an eagle used as a cupola weather-vane) is:

http://www.anim8or.com/main/index.html

check it out...less than 1MB download for program and 1.2MB for PDF help file

[Nik]

Thanks, Rgathje !

I'll have a play with Antics, try to get a feel for it...

[Robert W - "robban"]

Hi Doug.
Some times is it good to look around on the other topic in the forum, I have now also download anim8or
thanks for the link