Just as I was pointing out that Linden Lab had yet to introduce some long-promised additions to Second Life’s modeling toolset, word comes via C|Net (Link) that so-called “Sculpted Prims” (aka “sculpties”) may be on the horizon. So what’s a “sculpted prim”? According to a FAQ on the Second Life Wiki (Link):
A “sculpted prim” is a prim whose shape is determined by a texture – its “sculpt texture”. Sculpted prims can create organic shapes that are not currently possible with Second Life’s prim system.
Interesting. And even more interesting is how they describe a “sculpt texture”:
A sculpt texture is a standard RGB texture where the R, G, and B channels are mapped onto X, Y, and Z space. For those familiar with computer graphics – a sculpt texture is very similar to a normal map, but instead of encoding surface normals we encode surface positions. They are also similar to displacement maps, but instead of a single scalar distance we have three values (for each of X, Y, and Z.) They are also very similar to parametric (e.g. nurbs) surfaces.
I was cleaning out some old Maya scenes this past week and came across some very early shader-based normal maps. Trying to make those things using some early tutorials by Olivier Renouard taught me a lot about how nmaps worked.
Apparently this feature isn’t yet available, but if Linden Lab delivers this in a Preview Grid next week, I’ll be impressed. And happy.
For more, hop over to the Official Linden Blog (Link) or check out a video showing the feature in action (Link).
{Update: Had to ask the obvious on the SL Wiki:
So the form is defined by the vectors from the origin and assumes a closed shape. What about a non-closed surface? We don’t have prims which are Planes, but there’s been arguably little need. Now such a primitive would allow more highly-detailed models which don’t require closed forms (e.g. sheetmetal shapes for vehicles). Any plans on adding such a Prim to the library? — Csven Concord 09:12, 28 April 2007 (PDT)
And the answer is…
yes, rev 2 will include “plane-like”, “cylinder-like” and “torus-like” shapes, to compliment the “sphere-like” shape. (basically, all permutations of open/closed on the ends.) –Qarl Linden 09:39, 28 April 2007 (PDT)
These permutations should work well together to create complex objects. There are some potential issues (e.g. alignment) but they’re probably not all that different from dealing with regular NURBs.}
Sounds like VRML all over again…
Only VRML died by committee. And X3D hasn’t got much more interest.
The interesting thing is (of all things) a bunch of polypushers want to learn single-surfacing NURBs techniques. Next thing you know they’ll want to take them into CAD and go solid so they can shell the parts and fab stuff.
Only for the artistic elite of course. Barely anyone on this planet can afford Maya. They need to find an open-source alternative soon.
Artistic elite???
First off, I find the line “Barely anyone on this planet can afford Maya” to be complete and utter bullshit {unless of course we also say that barely anyone on this planet can afford anything the developed world takes for granted; like potable water}. I suppose “barely anyone” remembers when something like Maya ran on a Unix system and all together the whole package could buy a small house. I’m not saying Maya is inconsequentially inexpensive, but at $2000 it’s not that unaffordable {for people able to afford a computer that runs Second Life}. There are plenty of college kids that chug that much in beer during a single semester. Kids don’t seem to bat an eye at $200 sneakers or video cards. And how much money is tied up in unproductive XBox and Playstation systems?
Maya is a professional tool that requires someone to sacrifice a few luxuries to pay for it. How horrible. And how stupid I was to save for over a year to buy it (back when Complete was $7000) instead of buying a fancy car like my co-workers.
Please.
Now that I’ve got that out of the way, I’m pretty sure I’ve found an open source path. I tested something this weekend. Didn’t quite work, but that’s because its origins are in normal mapping. However, portions of the shape *did* work. The tool is free, but very, very hard to find and will probably require some minor fix to the code. Now considering that the MEL script doesn’t seem to work very well with my old (and legal) version of Maya, I’m debating which to tackle. Comments like yours push me over to fixing the MEL instead of the open source alternative.
Oh what a whinger, for goodness sake, please work on the Maya route. Leave the open source solution to someone who deserves the credit of bringing good tools to the masses, for a simulator designed for the masses.
Your frustration at being stuck with an outdated Maya version is all over that post : maybe thats why ‘others’ don’t spend that initial fortune, because they have the sense to know it’s an ongoing cost – guess they didn’t just down beers at college.
Likely you’ll get 90% there after countless hours of work and discover your outdated Maya version is not good enough, at which stage you need to sell your wifes car or kids education to upgrade (or use the by-then-available-opensource). But don’t worry, you can still walk around with a Maya T-shirt on.
Frustration? Not at all. I have enough money to upgrade.
First off, the reason I don’t update is simple: Maya 5.0 Unlimited is more than I need. Why update if the tool I have is sufficient for my professional needs? The life I live (which I’ve described on this blog in some detail) is extremely spartan. I don’t own much. I don’t want much. And don’t feel entitled – as so many do – to have anything and everything merely because I desire it or some advertisement tells me I “deserve” it. Apparently you do.
“a simulator designed for the masses”? In case you missed it, Linden Lab is a for-profit company, and Second Life is a simulator designed to make money for its investors.
The issue here seems to now be that everyone seems to think everything in the world should be Free (kind of like that free Hotmail account you use). Only I’m not so naive as to believe anything is truly free. Everything has a cost. Somewhere. It may be that you get pummeled with banner ads (I hear that even the *new* and improved Hotmail forces those on users) or it may be that you give up control (imagine if all the Free email accounts disappeared today, or if Linden Lab simply flipped the electrical switch and shut down all the servers). Whatever it is, you give up *something* for your supposedly “Free” stuff.
So please, winn, because you obviously live in a utopian world where *everything* is Free and no one gets anything for their effort, share with us all the truly Free things you’ve provided to the world. Impress us.
You can start with freely providing your real name and a worthwhile email instead of hiding like a coward. I mean, if you can’t even do that…
Based on what do you assume I’m driven by ‘goodies’ and adverts? I hardly even watch TV, and don’t have time for all the goodies crap. I’m not the one with Maya either, am I?
If your life choice is so “spartan”, thats your choice – why do you then compare to people who spend money at college or a car – that’s their choice. Fact still is, for them Maya is expensive and they therefore have a reason to complain, and I’m sure you’re aware Maya should not only be affordable to “spartan people” but normal people too.
So why should “for the masses” mean no profit? If anything is “no profit”, no-one cares to look after it. BTW: You can join SL free and play it … thats “for the masses”.
“The issue here seems to now be that everyone seems to think everything in the world should be Free ”
No, I think you’re missing the issue … you’ve thrown your toys out the cot at a poster suggesting SL’s Sculpy interface should be avail to more people as Maya is expensive, using the opportunity to broadcast to all you have Maya.
Subsequently you stated that tools like Maya are “professional” tools, even pointing out you are a “professional” user. Well, in that case, you and other “pros” would be making enough buck using it to pay for it, some of them even enough to upgrade regularly too.
And that being the plan, a beginner could even loan the money and pay it off – if they want to be a pro and are desperate. But that probably accounts for 5% of the community who would like to use good 3d modelling software, and 0.5% of SL content builders interested in sculty prims. The majority want a tool to play with it , or just mess around a bit. Why should they be denied or forced to shell out thousands? Of course there should be free or cheap solutions for them.
As for me living in a free world, not true. I have a legal copy of 3DStudio for example. But that doesn’t blind me to others needs, and I certainly don’t wish they not have tools to express their talent, in fact I damn well hope an interface is avail to them before a 3DS one, and yes I’d use it on the odd occasion I want to make a SL sculpted prim.
Now you whinging about iIdentity!
Who says it’s not my name? Its an abbreviation, as yours is. Maybe you should use your full name first!
And why should I fully identify myself? I use a free email online as I work for a top 10 software company and don’t believe it right to express my personal views using their email – specially as muppets like you seem happy to discuss personal contact details on the internet … and before you whinge about profit we do have programs to assist struggling customers and open source initiatives.
BTW, what message are you sending to your readers? … “ignore the harsh realities of web and publish your full pedigree on sites”. You should work for a spamming agency.
The tone of your comment:
“someone who deserves”
“simulator designed for the masses”
aso
I entirely agree: that’s their choice.
The difference here is, I don’t go labeling people “elite” because they make those choices; because they drive a newer car than I do, or have fancier clothes. However, because I made my choice to purchase a piece of software, I’m labeled (in the nastiest sense possible) “elite”. Screw that.
I’d say there’s a bit of hypocrisy floating around in the attitude that it’s okay to dish it out but not okay to get it back. I’m giving it back. Deal with it.
Wrong. Owning Maya is not the same as having a right to shelter, or food and water. It, like many things in today’s world, is a luxury. No one *deserves* to have a luxury. Not when people are dying of starvation or exposure. Or children are sent by their parents to sell themselves to help feed the family.
What you’re expressing to me is the sense of Entitlement I find so distasteful today. No one has a *right* to expect that Maya or any other Thing is “affordable” to them. Do you have a *right* to own a Ferrari? a LearJet? Do you have a right to own a tailored designer piece of clothing or a million dollar piece of jewelry? Since when?
People can complain all they want, and they can find reason to complain about pretty much anything. Fine. But if it smells like the whining of the Entitled, take it elsewhere.
Fair enough. But when you use the phrase “for the masses”, you should be aware that the context most often associated with it is Socialism, not Capitalism.
Anyone who reads my blog or bothers to check my online portfolios, should be very aware that I have Maya. It’s no big secret.
However, what I took issue with wasn’t that SL’s new tools shouldn’t be available to everyone; it was the implication that I was somehow *above* other people – “elite” – because I owned Maya (apparently it never occurred to the individual I might have had to sacrifice something else to afford it). And second, I took issue with the overly broad comment that “barely anyone” could afford it. That’s just ignorant imo. Many people could afford plenty if they didn’t waste so much and do it so mindlessly.
Of course. Which is why you’re so obviously incorrect in assuming I’m “frustrated”. I merely don’t feel the Entitlement you seem to think I *should* feel. I own an older version. I’m happy with it ; not frustrated. (*surprise!*) I don’t want to upgrade. I don’t need to upgrade. And I don’t feel Entitled to having a lower cost upgrade available because I somehow *deserve* it.
How about: because they don’t deserve a toy to play with? Here’s a newsflash: just because someone Wants something doesn’t mean they have a Right to get it. If they want “free or cheap solutions”, never before has it been easier for them to either find them or create their own.
(I can’t imagine how today’s Entitlement crowd would have managed twenty years ago when Wanting != Getting.)
Let’s be clear. To me, a “need” is: food, water, shelter, security. Music is not a “need”. Movies are not a “need”. Software is not a “need”. From what I’ve encountered in my travels, they’re luxuries.
Only I don’t need to – my full name is *very* easily available through a number of links on this site. Where is a link to your *real* identity and full name?
Because if you can’t respect your own comments enough to own them, why should anyone else respect them or the person behind them? Grow some balls and claim your words. This isn’t exactly a website enforced by the Taliban. No one is going to lop your head off. Relax.
Only that doesn’t prevent you from signing your full name and providing other identifying information, does it?
“muppets”? hahahahaha
That’s too cute to offend me. Try harder.
(btw, in case anyone is wondering, I’m one of the little old men in the balconey)
So what?
Look, if Autodesk/Alias’ business practices don’t pan out, they’ll die off. So? I don’t care. Does anyone reading this blog actually believe I’m here to defend corporate interests???
I’m not defending anyone here. What I’m saying is that no one is Entitled to something someone else has created. Period.
Furthermore, no one has a right to go labeling those who find a way to pay for something as being derogatorily “elite”. That comment was an insult to me. I responded. Get over it.
I’m sorry. Did I ever say I gave a damn about people who read this blog?
In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t have advertising here. No Google ad-junk. No slow-loading banner crap. And no stories influenced by a “sponsor”.
I do this for me. Period. If you don’t like it, feel free to take your Entitlement attitude elsewhere and not come back. I don’t really care. And btw, that’s the same attitude that gets people an honest opinion out of me. If you want someone to suck up to Coca-Cola or Nissan or anyone else, you don’t have to look far.
As an aside, I just found this and found it pretty funny:
– Link
Well, seeing as there’s nothing else happening on this blog, I’ll bite again …
1) You’re still missing the original posters point, the point is not that you or others are “elite” because you have Maya or I have 3DS or whatever, the point is SL is meant for the average Joe to be able to build in – therefore it has free building tools. But the tools are very limited, and now they are making a big leap with sculpties. BUT they have screwed those same people they build for by limiting it to those who have Maya, sure – it could have been 3DS, or C4D or anything else – but same problem. And sure that will change over time, but I agree with the initial poster : SL should have released it compatible with a more accessible development platform. Some really frustrated people in SL have been waiting for more advanced modelling for a while and will now have to wait longer, while those 0.5% SL users with Maya (most copies anyway) get an advantage. No-ones going to purchase Maya just for SL sculpties, although many will distribute copies!
You’re overly sensitive … the original poster never “branded” you elitist. They were venting their frustration at the above scenario. These people are not interested in Maya etc, they just want access to the additional tools in SL being offered by sculpties.
2) As for my point : The point to my original reply was that no-one gives a jack shit if you work on the open source alernative or not, there’s plenty of really talented people out there doing that anyway. Specially with all the “drama” you surround it with … like :
“I’m debating which to tackle. Comments like yours push me over to fixing the MEL instead of the open source alternative”
… when what you’re really saying is :
“look at me, I can make this open-source happen. But in case I don’t succeed, let it be known it was because of posters like you, not my ability”.
Damn, everyone would prefer the solution come from someone a lot humbler and less outspoken. So please don’t work on it – and you can add me to the credit list for preventing that, as if anyone cares.
3) Some replies to your other garbage:
“The difference here is, I don’t go labeling people “elite†because they make those choices”
No, you label them utopian fools instead.
“What I’m saying is that no one is Entitled to something someone else has created. Period.”
Who’s argueing that point? If I create something I can decide myself if others are entitled to it. Period.
Some things I create and I maintain rights for, others not, my choice. So if XYZ develops a Maya-beating modeller and decides its free, thats their choice, live with it. Why get desperate to claim ‘nothings free’?
To revert back to one of your earlier bitching sessions, yes I have personally created free content, which is freely downloadable from my website, ranging from modelling textures and 3D models, through tools and utilities and plugins, through fullblown applications (eg monitoring tools and CRM apps for small startup companies). As for identifying myself, and posting links on your blog, just as you don’t give a damn about your blog readers, I don’t give a damn about id, so tough shit. If I don’t get one or two traffic hits from this blog, who cares.
“If you want someone to suck up to Coca-Cola or Nissan or anyone else, you don’t have to look far. ”
…or Maya ?
1a) Making a point by labeling and effectively denigrating uninvolved parties is selfish. In other words, if someone has a problem and are “frustrated”, take it up with the responsible party and leave the rest of us out of it.
1b) “SL is meant for the average Joe to be able to build in” – and in no way does this development prevent them from continuing to do just that. But what we get is the “I Want/I Need” people whining as if they’re Entitled to something and, of course, assuming there are other Entitled people who have something they don’t, which makes them “frustrated” such that they lash out like children.
1c) “BUT they have screwed those same people they build for by limiting it to those who have Maya, sure” – let’s get the facts straight. First, I don’t recall Linden Lab ever stating that they were adding features which are limited to using Maya. Second, there are already work-around’s. And there were work-around’s BEFORE that initial comment. So crying about how Linden Lab is adding features but “limiting it to those who have Maya” is just a load of uninformed bullshit… just what I expect from people too busy feeling Entitled to bother keeping up with the news.
1c) “it could have been 3DS, or C4D or anything” – I get the feeling you don’t even know why a Maya script was the first tool released, do you? If you did, you’d maybe realize how much of a non-issue the MEL script being released first really is.
1d) “while those 0.5% SL users with Maya (most copies anyway) get an advantage” – a whole few days until a work around was posted. I guess that’s the kind of advantage the Entitled crowd can’t get over (as if most of them could even begin to figure out the Maya interface in a few days). Score one for the Entitled throwing common sense out the window.
1e) “No-ones going to purchase Maya just for SL sculpties, although many will distribute copies!” – I suspect they will. Most people “sharing” cracked applications aren’t far-sighted enough to see the potential impact of their selfish activity. It’s all about what they Want (often translated to “Need”) isn’t it? Gimme, gimme, gimme…
1f) “the original poster never “branded†you elitist. They were venting their frustration at the above scenario. These people are not interested in Maya etc, they just want access to the additional tools in SL being offered by sculpties.” – I disagree. When someone spits “Only for the artistic elite of course” and are referring to people who own Maya, that includes me. Their (your?) impatience and selfishness is no excuse for being rude.
2a) “The point to my original reply was that no-one gives a jack shit if you work on the open source alernative or not” – Gee. Ya think I don’t know that??? haha. You obviously missed the point of the last sentence in that response (which you’re keying on). Try not to be so completely clueless, will ya? haha
3a) “No, you label them utopian fools instead.” – Close. But the difference is that I’m not instigating the exchange.
3b) “As for identifying myself, and posting links on your blog, just as you don’t give a damn about your blog readers, I don’t give a damn about id, so tough shit.” – I don’t know what you’re attempting to say prior to this, but this last part I understand.
So thank you. I’ve considered this for some time and you’ve helped me decide: no more comments from people I don’t feel are sufficiently open about their RL identity. Feel free to post when you’re ready to own your words.