News
28 June 2008
- Z-Projection recoding. The first release of Z-Projection feature is based on the intesectRay function provided by MaxScript. After some investigation, it appears as the slowest among three similar functions. I'd like to rewrite the code for intersection checking to make it faster and more reliable. Drawing polygons for retopologization could become a separate optimized tool, rather than being a modification of the standard Draw Tool. Keep an eye on news.
- Tools enhacements. Some tools are on their way to become even faster and easier to use, as the Transform, Extrude ad Inset Tool. I'm planning to give a visual feedback about the original and transformed state as well as a sort of manipulation gizmo.
25 June 2008
- Added the reply to an email with (maybe) wrong email address. Check it in the discussion page.
18 June 2008
- IllusionCatalyst 1.2 development. The coding phase is going on along with a deeper test of already released features. In example, IC.Shape Z-Projection doesn't work too well in orthographic views, but it is an issue tied to 3ds Max Rays accuracy, which work at a lower level than the scripts. Please use Z-Projection in perspective views. Two already coded function for IC.Shape are Draw Edge Loop originating from the crossed edge point, and brush tooltips. I really wish to hear from you what you think about IllusionCatalyst, to make it better and better, thanks for your effort.
31 May 2008
- IllusionCatalyst 1.1.1 released. A dumb bug has slipped through the testing sessions, I fixed it and posted a very small update. Get it form the download page. Sorry for the annoyance.
25 May 2008
- IllusionCatalyst 1.1 released. After the coding, debugging and testing sessions, the first update to IllusionCatalyst is ready to rock. Get it form the download page. As always, Enjoy!
15 May 2008
- "Mysterious, super useful, ultra gorgeous feature" revealed. As the coding stage turns to the end I can't help but unravel this cool feature. It's not a completely new concept, but developed with the fresh approach of IllusionCatalyst instruments. The optional offset from template surface makes "Z-Projection" even more useful.
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Z Projection is already fully functional on many painting tools:
- Draw - Vertex / Edge Draw and Create Polygons
- Erase - Edge Collapse
- Relax / Stress
- Pinch / Stretch
- Drag / Smudge
- Inset
The new feature is meaningless on other painting tools, such as Inflate/Deflate, Raise/Lower, Ruffle/Flatten, Transform and Extrude. They mostly work along Z Axis, or in full 3D space to show effects. |
- After coding stage end, some time is still required to thoroughly test everything and killing prospective bugs. Another hopefully small amount of time is needed for the docs update. Hang in there, I'll do my best to release IllusionCatalyst 1.1 in this month.
13 May 2008
- New IC.Shape feature announcement. Some nights ago, being too tired to code, I was looking at some beatiful works for the Dominance War III contest. I stumbled upon DDS's magnificent artwork and while reading about the construction process the new "mysterious, super useful, ultra gorgeous feature" popped into my mind. Moments later, looking at Lukavi's impressive artwork, the thought took form: "It could work!" like Gene Wilder cries out in Young Frankenstein. No need to say that feature is almost ready. Thank you DDS and Lukavi for inspiration!
- Coding time, continued. While writing the code for the new "mysterious, super useful, ultra gorgeous feature" I realized there are some errors in Transforms Math in various tools - I'm sorry. To avoid problems while working with IC.Shape in IllusionCatalyst version 1, keep the model oriented like world axis and do not scale it. Flaws have already been fixed and features tested. The new release will be fully functional. Please wait a little longer for the new release, since I want to put it under stress-test, and there's the tedious job to keep the docs up to date too.
10 May 2008
- Still coding time. I resolved to extend the code checking, and in case rewriting, to some other painting instruments I was not completely happy about, like Erase Tool, Transform Tool and Extrude Tool. I won't add features, but apply minor nonetheless significant changes to their behavior. I will need feedback about it, you're warned :)
8 May 2008
- Coding time. I decided to rebuild almost from scratch Draw Tool. It was the very first painting instrument I coded for IC.Shape, and it was a bit too green. Unnecessarily complicated and difficult to maintain, I'm in the middle of a rewriting process, cleaning up the unneeded, fixing some small issues and adding a feature hopefully interesting. Please wait a little longer for this new release, it will anyhow come soon.
29 April 2008
- Website updates. I had to create a captcha to allow downloads because I got a sort of "denial of service" attack yesterday. In some hours I got about four thousand downloads from a single IP address. If they were real persons I would have been happy, but since it's quite obvious they were fakes, I wonder why someone would do such things, wasting about one point five gigabytes of my monthly bandwidth and making me take back the counter. I hope this won't trouble you. Thanks.
21 April 2008
- Internet hosting provider crisis situation surmounted. I got the hosting upgrade that should guarantee enough bandwidth for site consulting and downloads. Enjoy!
19 April 2008
- Internet hosting provider crisis situation. I never expected so much attention, and I've surpassed my monthly allowed bandwidth by far in two days. I couldn't get in touch with my internet provider for an upgrade because it's Saturday. I guess the site illusioncatalyst.com could be automatically shut down in any moment. It will be up again on Monday morning (Central European Time). So hang in there! Thanks for understanding.
10 April 2008
- IllusionCatalyst first release. It can be freely downloaded and put into action. Give it a try, and let me know what you think about it. I hope you enjoy this toolset, as much I liked to think up, develop and use it. :)
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IC.Shape
IC.Shape