Anim8or 2 POV-Ray

[SharkD]

Is there a simple way of rendering Anim8or files in POV-Ray?

[Joseph Hewitt]

I know the Anim8or models can be exported as 3ds models; there should be a program somewhere to convert these to POV-Ray. If I search around a bit there may even be a program that can do a direct conversion.

[Anonymous]

Hey, thanks!

[SharkD]

Dammit! I keep forgetting to log in.

[EDIT] By the way, would it be possible for you to upload your LDraw models to the Yahoo! Group? Only the Anim8or models are up at the moment.

[Joseph Hewitt]

Quoting: SharkD

By the way, would it be possible for you to upload your LDraw models to the Yahoo! Group? Only the Anim8or models are up at the moment.

Sure. I think most of them are on a CD at home... I'll take a look for them after work.

[SharkD]

Did you manage to find that CD?

[Joseph Hewitt]

No, unfortunately. I've uploaded all the models I could find to the dev group files area. This set includes the drone model, various robots, and some scenery, but doesn't include any of the mecha. I've searched through all of my CDs and can't find it, although the CD drive on my laptop has been kind of wonky lately and it's possible the files were on one of the "Archives" CDs that wouldn't load properly.

[SharkD]

That's too bad. I will do some test renders of the Anim8or models in POV-Ray.

[Joseph Hewitt]

I just looked at the test render of the Vadel... I really need to do a better model for that one. Or, even better, find someone with real 3D modeling talent to do a better model. The rendering looks very nice.

One note: When I render models I usually turn off anti-aliasing, since it can interfere with the color substitution system. Often the edge of an antialiased sprite will become indistinct. The sprites look better by themselves when antialiased but often look better in the game when not. I haven't tested this sprite specifically so I can't say if that applies here, it's just what I've found in the past.

I'll test this sprite in the morning. Right now I'm off to bed.

[SharkD]

That particlular sprite looks better antialiased. However, some others (the Condor for instance) don't. Anyway, without 8-bit transparency it's not worth it.

By the way, do you think you could set up a "display" mode for GH1, where all the sprites are shown on various terrain? The current intro animation doesn't show enough sprites to be really useful.

[Joseph Hewitt]

I've added that to my to-do list. I was already planning a different though related feature which would show mecha using all the different faction colors listed in GH2.

[SharkD]

Do you think you could triple-check for that CD?