Path: chuka.playstation.co.uk!scea!greg_labrec@interactive.sony.com
From: Joshua Meeds <dreamer@sinclair.net>
Newsgroups: scea.yaroze.freetalk,scee.yaroze.freetalk.english
Subject: Re: If you liked Hover...
Date: Sun, 01 Mar 1998 15:44:40 -0800
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I dunno about them using an interface with Lightwave's motion system,
but having Lightwave is definitely one of the main reasons I believe
they are doing such advanced 3d stuff.  To do any 3d programming (I'm
not talking about advanced stuff like creating models on the fly), you
need a way to create 3d models.  The European and American Yaroze's
comes with no such method.  No programs whatsoever, just a few sample
models.  I personally found this hard to deal with; for all the time
I've had the system, only yesterday did I find a 3d modeller that
outputs DXF files that work with DXF2RSD (and that modeller is not a
very good one, either).  Thus, up until this point, I could do very
little with 3d.  Is it any wonder that only the people with useable
tools are releasing such amazing programs?  I can think of many ways to
write Hover-like games, but without 3d models, they will only remain in
my mind.

I understand that in Japan, the Yaroze program probably has many more
members, and so Sony would feel it was a good deal getting them all
copies of Lightwave (bumper crop of new programmers!).  But they
shouldn't leave the rest of us without the tools to make real
Playstation games.  A good game system should have loyal programmers
from all over the world, not just Japan.  Sure, we got a "deal" for 3d
Studio.  But I know I am not nearly the only one who didn't have the
extra cash after spending $900 on my Yaroze (I did spend the extra $150
on Codewarrior.  Alas...)

I think SCEA and SCEE should get us all SOME 3d modeller that works.  It
doesn't have to be a big, expensive package, like Lightwave or 3d
studio; it could even be registered versions of some shareware product,
as long as it did the job.  I want to move into a career of programming
for the Playstation, and that just isn't realistic without good, solid,
experience programming 3d.  At least now I have the tools to make some
very basic 3d models, so I can at least start learning 3d programming.

Well, thanks for reading my rather lengthy rant,

                - Joshua Meeds
                  Dreamwriter Dragon
                  dreamer@sinclair.net
                  -==UDIC==-

P.S., anyone know of a good, shareware/freeware 3d modeller that outputs
DXF files that DXF2RSD can use?  The beta of Rhino just isn't designed
for the task.

P.P.S.  Oops, I keep accidentally replying to author, rather than
group.  Sorry!

Manny Najera wrote:
> 
> Mario Wynands wrote:
> 
> > Take a look at AirBob, another Japanese demo that has been upped in
> > the past
> > week.
> >
> > http:
> > /www.netyaroze-europe.com/yaroze_scei/Forum/program/archive/pssoft/
> >
> > Looks more and more like we have a bit of catching up to do!
> 
> I dunno.  It seems like their sole advantage is that everyone has
> Lightwave 3D.
> 
> Think about it.  Everyone is using the same graphics package.  All they
> needed was for one person to code an interface for Lightwave's motion
> system.  The supposed "hard stuff", being a hierarchical system of
> object movement, being used now to crank out demo after Japanese demo,
> is based entierely around that kind of interface.
> 
> For example, if everyone here used MOD files on a daily basis, a MOD to
> SEQ converter would have been coded ages ago.
> 
> Manny Najera

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