Looking for software that can render a 3D cube..

[Miut]

My son and I believe it is possible to do this, but neither of us knows how to go about it.

I write SF stories, a series of 7 novels so far. I'm working on the 8th.
My Universe, showing the relationships of the main alien planets to each other, had to be made in a 3D wooden cube 19" a side, with beads glued to piano wire suspended from struts.

It only exists in this format. Photos are useless because there is no way to get a feeling of depth and distance.

Is there any software out there my Universe could be made in so I could rotate the cube and see my planets from any angle?

The cube got broken in the UK part of the move as the movers didn't put it into a box for protection as they promised they would, only wrapped 2 layers flimsy bubble wrap round it. I hate being dependant on something so fragile.

Any advice welcomed!

http://www.sff.net/people/Lisanne/Viking/images/miut.gif

[vovan]

Off the top of my head, I don't really know of any such software. However, I am not sure I understand the idea exactly.

So, you have a Universe. Okay, it has a bunch of planets in it, correct? And what you want to do is have a visual representation of the planets in three dimensions. Now, what I don't get is the cube part. Is the cube crucial to the structure of the universe? Or was it just something you made for the actual real model to simplify putting the planets on? In other words, if you had a little "simulation" of your universe, then would the cube really have to be there, or would just having the planets floating in 3D space be nicer?

Vovan

[Miut]

Vovan, the cube was the structure t contain and suspend the beads aka planets from. If you think of any SF series that has shown a hologram of their part of the universe, then that's what I need. The struts help only for reference, so no, they aren't vital. Being able to rotate the image is so I can see it from any angle as I would the real item.

Is that more helpful? I do have some pix of it if you want me to post em here.

http://www.sff.net/people/Lisanne/Viking/images/miut.gif

[Josh]

Yes, there is such software, It's called 3D Studio Max, Its a little complex, but the graphics you can get from it are beautifull. The catch is it's a bit pricy, but I would venture to say you could "borrow" it, and so long as you dont use it for professional purposes, no harm no foul.

I wasnt exactly sure what you wanted, but from your discription here is a cube in a universe.

http://www.thenewforum.net/zcrap/Cube.jpg

Edit: I just noticed your updated discription, post a picture and I will see what I can do

[vovan]

Well, to be honest, I've never actually seen a hologram like that. Maybe a picture would help. :)

Josh, a problem with Maya or 3DSMax generated images, is they are still 2D. You need the original software to rotate them...

Vovan

[Josh]

Or you can create an animated scene or camera and render it as a movie. (viola, no original software needed)

[vovan]

Or you can create an animated scene or camera and render it as a movie. (viola, no original software needed)

It's still non-interactive though, is it?

Vovan

[Josh]

Well if we want to get Really complex, we could get a game engine (or write one) then export all the models into the game make a level, make a charecter that is the camera and some basic 3D controls and we would have an interactive view of it for the layman. But that seems like a lot of unnessesary work...

[vovan]

Well if we want to get Really complex, we could get a game engine (or write one) then export all the models into the game make a level, make a charecter that is the camera and some basic 3D controls and we would have an interactive view of it for the layman.

That's what I'd do. ;) About an hour's worth of work, I'd say. Well, it wouldn't look as pretty as your picture then, of course, but you could fly around in 3D space, and look at colored balls. :D

Vovan

[Miut]

That's all that's needed! I have no skill with game Editors, neither has my son. You don't make a living off writing one book every year or so ... I wish I could.
I will upload a piccie or two to a web page and put the url here - if anyone can help, I'd be very grateful.

Here's the photo - it is an earlier version. I haven't yet a photo of current and better made cube.
http://www.sff.net/people/Lisanne/Viking/Images/CubeMn.jpg

Here's a bigger drawing of it with names of planets in. Too big for here I think.
http://www.sff.net/people/Lisanne/Viking/Images/draw.gif

All I need is the interior of the cube.

http://www.sff.net/people/Lisanne/Viking/images/miut.gif

[Josh]

Okay, I can do this

Email me and I will tell you what I need to continue (just some measurements and whatnot)

That second image made it much simpler

Hibbard AT gmail DOT com

[Miut]

Wow, will do that now. Thanks. :)

[rallecarde]

If you are looking to have a 3D modeled Univerese (and don't want to pay an arm and a leg for it) then you might want to look into a package like Anim8or (http://www.anim8or.com/main/index.html). This shareware modeling package has most of the basic features of the commercial packages like 3D Studio Max, and should suffice for creating a model of sufficient complexity for you and will allow you to manipulate it in real time. The client is fairly small (under 1M) so you should be able to get it and take a peek petty easy.

If you decide that you don't like Anim8or and would like to look at some other packages then you might want to check out 3D Links list of shareware modelers (http://www.3dlinks.com/links.cfm?categoryid=1&subcategoryid=2).

The main question that I ask at this point is that were you planning to do the modelling work yourself, or did you want someone to model your universe from measurements for you so that you can then manipulate it? I would suggest downloading a modelling package and playing around with it to see what kind of assistance you might need beyond choosing a modeler.

BTW I'm a big fan of your series. I still cherish my signed copy of _Stronghold Rising_ that you signed for me at Dragon*Con a few years back. But, when is the next one coming out, dagnabbit? ;)

[Miut]

LOL! Glad you like them.
As to me and modelling, I have no idea what to do. I use Campaign Cartographer to design my space ships deck by deck and that took me a good 2 plus years to learn how to use as it is based on the CAD system. www.profantasy.com is their site. Great piece of software but no good for this.

Been very busy getting USA Visa and finding a place on the East Coast, getting pets rabies vaccines and so on, so that has delayed the book I am currently working on. Then I fell prey to all the new pollens in Boston!
Now, however, I have made the last part of the move and am in North California. :) So when I get the Insurance claim in for the desk top the removers played Bounce with, I will be up and running again. Meanwhile, I am doing what I can on the lap top. Needless to say I spent some 3 weeks teasting my flakey desk top to destruction before it did finally give in to all the bizzare errors and die.

Hopefully it will be finished for November and out in April/May. It is a difficult one, being as how it is nearly all combat oriented. ;)

http://www.sff.net/people/Lisanne/Viking/images/miut.gif

[Traxia]

Erm you get a person with a knowledge of Java3D, give them some measurements and they SHOULD be able to do an interactive applet for you that works for any operating system.

I would do it but I'll be starting Uni and have a HUMONGOUS (can't spell) project to do. I start on the 27th (last day of the beta fortunately)

Edit: Brainwave! Ask a university to do it for you. Give them a specification. They should write it in C or Java and with any luck for free..