A new place for my blog

Hello friends!

Important news for all who are reading my blog here:

While the rework of my main website I have made some basic changes. From now all my web presentations will be found at one place:

Visit my new blog here

 www.christoph-werner.de 

What does this mean for this blog?

• The archives of this blog will not be changed. So if you are looking for something special from my past posts, just use this blog.
• But all my future posts will be found on my new blog. Some new infos are already there.

I am shure you understand my decision and hope all people will visit my new blog as often as this one.

As you know I am located in germany, so there is some german text of course. But nearly all blog posts are still in english and can be read by the international audience.

But enough text! Take a look at my new website.

Thank you all for your support here!

Chris

3D-Coat - Update 4.5 BETA5

Fixes

• Fixed crash in pose tool
• Fixed crash in fill tool
• Snake tool fixed
• Fixed problem with sliders numerical input in Layer blending palette

New

• GL version works!

Improvements

• Panoramas updated
• Different small stuff like default hotkeys

Click here for download: Current 3D-Coat beta...

Infos about using 3D-Coat beta versions:

• 3D-Coat beta versions can be used by registered users only. You have to register the current release to be able to use the current beta.
• You are invited to test and use the new beta version while the whole developing process until the official release.
• The permission to use the beta ends at the final release date. In this case you are able to buy the new release.
• Beta versions are NOT final releases! Be careful using them for your projects.

3D-Coat - Update 4.5 BETA4

Fixes

• Important fix: critical problem related to broken export solved

Improvements

• Compatibility / GGX / Blinn-phong shading. Compatibility shading preserves colors as well as previous coat's shading but is able to use advantages of PBR.
• PBR preview in paintbrush mode

New

• New materials

Click here for download: Current 3D-Coat beta...

Infos about using 3D-Coat beta versions:

• 3D-Coat beta versions can be used by registered users only. You have to register the current release to be able to use the current beta.
• You are invited to test and use the new beta version while the whole developing process until the official release.
• The permission to use the beta ends at the final release date. In this case you are able to buy the new release.
• Beta versions are NOT final releases! Be careful using them for your projects.

3D-Coat - Update 4.5 BETA3

Fixes

• Fixed problems related to rename/move/duplicate items in folders. Need toarwa be carefully checked anyway.
• A lot of paint problems solved.

New

• HDR support for panorama images. Panoramas will be auto leveled now. Andrew included several panorama images into the Panoramas folder. A new default panorama image is set now.
• View separate channels - color/specular color/gloss/metalness

Improvements

• Materials in version 4.5 will not destroy 4.1 materials and vice versa. New mats has an extension that is called .pbrm instead of .xml.
  You are still able to switch back to the old materials - To do this use Edit -> Convert materials
• Top row conditions are now the same like in materials. Realtime preview should work correctly for both - paint conditions and materials. 
• UDIM naming (That is used in MARI) for UV-sets with tiled import is supported now. Fixed seams problem related to tiled import. 

Infos

The translation from new HLSL shaders to GLSL were started. This will lead in a working GL version. The Mac/Linux beta builds can be released after the shader conversion. This will happen soon.

Click here for download: Current 3D-Coat beta...

Infos about using 3D-Coat beta versions:

• 3D-Coat beta versions can be used by registered users only. You have to register the current release to be able to use the current beta.
• You are invited to test and use the new beta version while the whole developing process until the official release.
• The permission to use the beta ends at the final release date. In this case you are able to buy the new release.
• Beta versions are NOT final releases! Be carefully using it for your projects.

3D-Coat - Update 4.5 BETA2

New:

• RMB over material allows you to re-fill with the material in all non-transparent area. You are able to change the used material for the active layer very easy in this way.

Fixes:

• The option "Lock transparency" in the layers blending options works correctly for metalness and all other tools now.
• Bugs related to material folders fixed.

Click here for download: Current 3D-Coat beta...

Infos about using 3D-Coat beta versions:

• 3D-Coat beta versions can be used by registered users only. You have to register the current release to be able to use the current beta.
• You are invited to test and use the new beta version while the whole developing process until the official release.
• The permission to use the beta ends at the final release date. In this case you are able to buy the new release.
• Beta versions are NOT final releases! Be carefully using it for your projects.

3D-Coat - Update 4.5 BETA1

HOT NEWS!

This is the first 4.5 beta update with PBR support. Not all is done and some elements are still missing, but it is at least workable.

Important for this first 4.5beta release:

1. GL version is NOT working! Andrew will do GL shaders after all. Use DirectX version first only! -> 3d-coat(DX)
2. Keep backups of your scenes, presets and materials. Better - create a backup of the folder MyDocs/3D-CoatV4

Changes for 20.12.2014 - 4.5.BETA1

• PBR & Smart PBR materials introduced.
• A lot of bugfixes.

Click here for download: Current 3D-Coat beta...

Infos about using 3D-Coat beta versions:

• 3D-Coat beta versions can be used by registered users only. You have to register the current release to be able to use the current beta.
• You are invited to test and use the new beta version while the whole developing process until the official release.
• The permission to use the beta ends at the final release date. In this case you are able to buy the new release.
• Beta versions are NOT final releases! Be carefully using it for your projects.

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.17C

Info:

This update has only minor fixes. NO PBR included yet. The PBR update will come as soon as possible. There is still too much work with material support, previewing, baking, export etc.

Fixes:

• Tweak room select works correctly.
• Topo symmetry works correctly now. It copies regardless on previous stamp mode usage.

Click here for download: Current 3D-Coat beta...

Infos about using 3D-Coat beta versions:

• 3D-Coat beta versions can be used by registered users only. You have to register the current release to be able to use the current beta.
• You are invited to test and use the new beta version while the whole developing process until the official release.
• The permission to use the beta ends at the final release date. In this case you are able to buy the new release

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.17

Hi friends.
I am a bit late with my update post, but I took two weeks off and am back now. So here we are:

Fixes

• multithreading problems fixed in ppp painting - it will work much faster now (strokes, layers visibility etc.)
• Paint room text tool aliasing problem fixed (but still needs some work even if become much better)
• "Put picture along curve" correctly works with opacity in depth channel

Improvements

• Swap YZ completely implemented in all tools (including axis and arrows colors). So Z-up mode should work correcty now.

Click here for download: Current 3D-Coat beta...

Infos about using 3D-Coat beta versions:

• 3D-Coat beta versions can be used by registered users only. You have to register the current release to be able to use the current beta.
• You are invited to test and use the new beta version while the whole developing process until the official release.
• The permission to use the beta ends at the final release date. In this case you are able to buy the new release

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.16

New functions

• Constructor tool enabled. It was developed previously but was not open to everyone. This is a lego/minecraft style of cell modeling - mainly aimed to children. Together with symmery, pose and wrapping it may help in "serious" modeling as well.

Improvements

• RMB controls radius works in a more predictable way in the 2D texture editor
• Swap YZ option in preferences added (to work with editors that has Z - axis up).
  When activated it globally exchanges Y and Z everywhere (in dialogs, naming etc)
• Tapering tweaked: Pressure at the end of curve will be used even after the end of tapering length. In this way tapering may be use to start strokes smoothly regardless on initial "pen strike".
• Rapid brush tweaked to work closer to previous version but bake advantage from newer approach. This is done to preserve compatibility with presets.

Fixes

• Several issues in Paint room curves fixed:
  - RMB controls radius correctly in both - 3D and 2D modes
  - Fixed problem of incorrect normal in some cases of windows configuration (blocking problem)
  - RMB click toggles hardness

Click here for download: Current 3D-Coat beta...

Infos about using 3D-Coat beta versions:

• 3D-Coat beta versions can be used by registered users only. You have to register the current release to be able to use the current beta.
• You are invited to test and use the new beta version while the whole developing process until the official release.
• The permission to use the beta ends at the final release date. In this case you are able to buy the new release.

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.15B

New functions

• Brush Tapering introduced! Note the icon beside the brush radius control in the top menu.

New : Tapering Brushes

Improvements

• Rapid/Claws corrected to be less bumpy (but still rigid)
• "Apply" overrides Enter in all tools
• Layer blending popup polished
• Symmetry copy updated to avoid holes
• Painted strokes started in texture window will not continue painting objects in 3D view
• Alternatively beta versions can be downloaded by using google drive now

Fixes

• Fixed major bug related to symmetry & presets "desease"
• Lag after stroke fixed
• Undo speeded up. This should improve sculpting experience greatly
• "Frame" object fixed.
• Symmetry copy problem solved
• Rotate along stroke/strips does not lead to initial round spot in some tools
• Fixed Flatten clay holes

Click here for download: Current 3D-Coat beta...

Infos about using 3D-Coat beta versions:

• 3D-Coat beta versions can be used by registered users only. You have to register the current release to be able to use the current beta.
• You are invited to test and use the new beta version while the whole developing process until the official release.
• The permission to use the beta ends at the final release date. In this case you are able to buy the new release.

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.14

Improvements

• Quick access to layer's blending options - hover layer, press small triangle that appears on the right.
• "Rotate along stroke" tuned to avoid trajectory twisting, many surface brushes got trajectory improvement that should lead to more predictible sculpting.
• Retopo with symmetry improved. Points will be automatically snapped and welded to the symmetry plane. It is especially important in non-virtual mirror mode.

Fixes

• Slide edges correctly works with non-virtual symmetry now.
• Spline stroke in E mode works correctly with multiple strokes now. No more random dots.
• Set of problems related to fill/ fill with freeze fixed in vertex paint mode.

Click here to download the current version : Wanna have it...

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.13

New:

• New retopo tool: Scale. This tool scales clusters individually.

Fixes:

• Fixed a lot of problems related to symmetry. Clone with symmetry problem solved. Seams & symmetry problem fixed.
• Fixed problem of "Simple" triangulation, compatibility presets tweaked. I still need help in 3D-Max compatibility.

Improvements:

• Retopo room: Bevel->select sharp edges have got a better dialog and supports realtime preview now.
• Better support of highpoly meshes when using import via File->Import for vertex painting.
  It works faster and requires less memory now.
• Import images as mesh supports TIFF images now.

Additional infos:

If someone is missing the "voxels" room/tab. The tab name was changed into "sculpt". The sculpt room supports all kind of mesh sculpting since a long time, not voxels only.

Click here to download the current version : Wanna have it...

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.12

Improvements:

• Normalmapping standarized.
  New presets for normalmapping introduced. You will find them in preferences->import dialog->normalmap import dialog.
  Andrew needs your help to prepare the presets itself exactly. Especially he has problems with 3DS Max. If someone wants to help him to create a preset - please drop a mail to support. He needs help with Modo too.
  
  Andrew also discovered: In most cases 3D packages are not working correctly with normalmaps/tangentspace. Even in best case (baked in maya, rendered in maya) they are not shown completely correctly. But in 3D-Coat the normalmaps will be shown correctly.
  Normalmaps tests were done in Maya and Unity. Both platforms have problems in their shaders.

• 3D-Coat was updated to FBX SDK 2015 now. This decision solved a lot of different FBX export/import problems.
• Normals/Tangentspace will be exported together now in FBX, but in Maya you will need to smooth normals to show them perfectly. Unity catches all well without additional actions (except it's own internal probems where Andrew has no influence.).
• Retopo menu is split into 2 parts now - Retopo and Bake.
• Text/hints refined

Click here to download the current version : Wanna have it...

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.11A

New:

• Tangent space/triangulation options introduced into Preferences.
  This feature requires some additional work to understand what settings are the best for each external software. Andrew will publih test files very soon to check different software requirements.

Improvements:

• Symmetry polished to work in all modes.
• Symmetry dialog is now a popup window and dockable.
• Step symmetry implemented.

Fixes:

• Split tool fixed.
• Blending modes corrected for better compatibility with Adobe Photoshop.
• Layer opacity will be transferred correctly from Photoshop to 3D-Coat now.
• A lot of mantis problems fixed. Check and approve them please.

Click here to download the current version : Wanna have it...

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.10B

Improved:

• Symmetry finished in good beta stage. All tools are supported.
• presets support symmetry (optionally)
• primitives history store symmetry as well
• pose tool got 3d lasso support

Fixes:

• one baking problem fixed:
  sometimes after baking, saving and re-opening scene tangent space was different and seams appeared.
• fixed crash, primitives problem solved 

Additional infos:
Generally due to changes seamlessness of ppp depth painting should become better.
Andrew needs your help in testing the baking fix. To support Andrew do the following two tests:

Test "T by B":

1. Please set Preferences->Local space normalisation to Normalize T by B
2. bake scene
3. open object with normalmap in your favorite modeler/render

Test "B by T":

1. Then set the value to Normalize B by T
2. re-bake
3. open in modeler/render as well.

Which test result in better quality (Andrew means the seams and normalmap quality) ?
In dependence on your feedback Andrew will set the corresponding value as default for the future.

Click here to download the current version : Wanna have it...

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.10

New functions:

• General case of symmetry introduced. All tools but Autopo supports new symmetry now.
  Autopo support for multiple mirrored objects is planned for the next build.

Fixes:

• Gizmo problem in transform tool
• Stamp mode problem in voxelmode

Additional infos:

• This is first beta related to symmetry. It is possible that you will find something that is not covered by the new symetry function. If so, please report it to Andrew. The best by posting it as an feature request in mantis. Assign the issue to Andrew and he will get it.

Click here to download the current version : Wanna have it...

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.09(A-C)

Changes:

• Improvement: Merge, curves text parameters are stored in History window as well.
• Improvement: Rect/Ellipse E - modes may become square if 'Q' pressed (may be changed in settings)
• Improvement: Manual updated
• Fixed: retopo FBX crash
• Fixed: Problem that was breaking pipeline Voxels->Retopo, Bake with triangulation->Exort.Final object was not triangulated.
• Fixed: autopo dialog problems
• Fixed: A lot of scripting bugs

Click here to download the current version : Wanna have it...

3D-Coat - Update 4.1.09

Changes:

• NEW: Primitives history window. It keeps history of primitives usage (Windows->Primitives history). It opens the way to nondestructive modeling. Further Andrew will add curves, merge, cutoff and possibly stroking history.
• Improvement: Chiesel/Flattern brushes tuned a lot. Now they easely produce flat surface even under aggressive sculpting. It hould work much more prodictable. Changes was done under guidance of an russian artist.
• Improvement: Scripts will not be paused on inactive windows
• Improvement: Scripts updated a bit - naming in comboboxes changed a bit for getting unique identifiers, some functions related to uv selection introduced, command line accessing.
• Improvement: Hardsurface autopo disabled if voxelize turned ON in AUTOPO dialog.
• Fixed: Problem of curves preview when node scaled fixed. RMB & drag will scale node, RMB click will toggle sharpness (for uniformity with other curve-like tools)
• Fixed: UV-sets names corrected - if symbol like : happens there - it will be replaced with _ to be able to export textures correctly.
• Fixed: Fixed Undo in UV/Retopo - no more switching to zero UV set after Undo
• Fixed: Fixed crash in UV room -> Hide. Hide/invert hide/unhide different problems fixed.

Click here to download the current version : Wanna have it...

3D-Coat - Updates 4.1.08 - 4.1.08B

Update 4.1.08B:

• Improved: Chiesel tweaked - solved a problem with symmetry on CTRL action, alpha rotated along stroke and modulated so that shape is maximally accurate, normal orthogonal to trajectory, it allows you to avoid too quick and irregular diving into surface.

Update 4.1.08A

• Fixed: solved some symmetry and crash problem

Update 4.1.08

• Improved: Chiesel/flattern got improvement - much more predictble trajectory and better quality. Normals sampling got better algorithm - normals are sampled along trajectory, not in just end spot.
• New: Noise tool introduced in surface mode with realtime preview and infinite details. Pay special attention to anisotropic mode. It is good for natural stones. In Normal mode it is a good planet generator. This tool is only initial iteration for future noise tool. Node editor expected there!
• New: Vertical lathe curve
• Improved: UI in primitives polished a bit (tooltips, icons).
• Fix: Fixed very important problem that was happening sometimes (mostly depending on computer and OS, most frequent on Win 8.1) that was causing strokes screwing.

Click here to download the current version : Wanna have it...

3D-Coat 4.1.07A - Update

Changes:

• Improved: Realtime preview for Textures->Adjust->... Multithreading optimisation applied to adjust operations.
• Improved:  Improved interaction with photoshop in case of mirrored UV sets - you may paint on both of mirrored sides and they will be merged correctly.
• Improved: copy clay updated - but still in very beta stage. Pay attendion to bend->Laplacian
• Improved: Res+ in surface mode subdivides whole mesh
• Fixed: Hints over primitives restored

Click here to download the current version : Wanna have it...