I know its a bad time to ask this, but...

It is possible to get a worklog update or even just a few lines on how Max3D is progressing. I know how inconceivably selfish to ask something like this with the whole Maxus thing going down, but, I just couldnt resist :)

The info on Blitz3DFR sais Max3D is under re-thinking so it won't probably out in the near future....

http://www.blitz3dfr.com/phpfrench/news.php

Scroll Down and see.

Thats good enough for me!

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[whine]

So now we need to frequent unofficial French Blitz sites to find out the latest BRL product news (informal as it is)?

[/whine]

I think that's exactly what BRL were aiming for.

It's just a reply from Mark to Filax, and he post the news on the site.

Nothing special, but appearently we have to wait more.

I love blitzmax. I am just finishing the second game with it, it's a wonderfull package.

BrEgOrS may have a point in its reasoning. I would say that making a "first generation" 3d engine for blitzmax may be a good move for BRL. Just a good "working base" with OGL support, basic structures, integrated into blitzmax and start selling max3d in in pre-release/early adopters. A better marriage of something "like minib3d" and max2d would probably do the trick. Shader engines and the like would surface if and when they are ready.

If Mark does not feel confortable with the "pre-release" / "early adopter" idea (selling something that does not exist as a complete package) I would suggest a a hackers (old school) approach and just figure out a way "to give minib3d a push" in a a short time frame and make it an official module. That way BlitzMax would have blitz3d like 3d capabilities as part of the basic package. Max3d would become a "shader" addon or a "next generation 3d engine" when it comes out...

Anyway, I am a happy BRL customer, and wanna help if I can and I will buy whatever you put out. Anyway, I'll shut up about this matter now, as that may just be the best way of helping out.

PLS

Because that would take even longer?

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I'm so glad we chose to go our own way 3D wise, if this is even true.

Amen.

How do you know that for a fact? Are you privy to some technical insight into the inner workings of Blitz3D that the rest of us aren't? Or are you simply making wild assertions?

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> Irrlicht + gman's MODs are looking better
> and better every day.

Have you written and completed any games using Irrlicht + gman's MODs?

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[my 2 cents]

Listen Folks. Max3D is coming. Probably not before Christmas. I personally don't want it before christmas. I would rather play with my Wii.

seriously,
Mark has been on a Bug-busting crusade for the last several months it seems. Adding features but also going after all kinds of bugs and glitches. I much more appreciate that than having a 3D package pushed out the door only to sit on top of a buggy language/compiler.

I am as eager as anyone to get my grubby little mitts on Max3D but in my experience, that lust goes away very fast when your 3D apps start crashing.

Mark has always favored Speed and stability over cutting edge features and I think that philosophy has paid off. There is still plenty of learning for us all to do.

Do you know what a shader is?
Do you know what a Vector is?
What is a Quaternion?

Marks worklogs give us plenty of info on what to brush up on so get to it!

[/my 2 cents]

But what are you basing that on? My impression is that Mark is still very much in the design stage (having re-designed the 3D module several times) and the heavy duty coding has yet to begin.

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I'm so glad I dont program in 3D at all! :)

Dabz

> I'm just tired of having to stay at DX7 for a good 3D app

What's the name of your killer app again? The one that is being crippled under the sheer outdatedness of DX7? I've forgotten its name.

> I would rather play with my Wii.

Don't forgot to wash your hands!

I hate Nintendo with all of my heart for calling that thing the "Wii". Years and years of unfunny jokes ahoy!

I don't believe that at all. But, this stuff takes a long time to get right. Look at game development. It can take well over a year for a fully staffed studio to produce a decent game. It's the same with a decent 3D engine. Mark knows what he's doing, that's obvious. I can't believe all the freaking whining going on...it's ridiculous.

> I can't believe all the freaking
> whining going on...it's ridiculous.

Haha, welcome to Blitzbasic.com, this Bmax3D issue has been going on for nearly 3 years now. Enjoy your stay!
Just ignore them if I was you.

The important question is, when are they going to change the name to Max3DForever?

What's wrong with MiniB3D?

> What's wrong with MiniB3D?

People's understanding of logical thought.

Here is my version, based on my experience:

BlitzBasic <--- First attempt - the "throw away prototype".
Blitz3D <--- Second System Syndrome - an overly intricate program, built on-top of what is essentially a prototype.
BlitzPlus <--- The first BlitzMAX prototype.

BlitzMax <--- The first actual product, based on mistakes and ommisions from previous products, including but not limited to a proper compiler. Written from scratch.

Not everyone uses a Waterfall Paradigm for developing software you know.

Paradigm, huh? The real world is going to throw you for a hell of a loop. Happy graduation!

I think most people have misunderstood the "next-gen" part of Max3d - it doesn't mean next generation in terms of the features - it means it will be available for the next generation of programmers ;)

Yes thanks. Do I get a certificate of Max3D-readiness? ( Not that I'm either waiting or particularly interested in it, but I do get just as tired of people suggesting we're all too ignorant or too incapable of finishing anything to actually be able to use it if it existed as others get of people asking when it's going to be ready. )

Hey, i think i also do qualify for this certificate...

taumel please like: t a u m e l ;O)

If people are going to have to know what a quaternion is to use the Max3D module, I'd say that paradigm needs a little more shifting.

They're cool and all, yeah.. but I'm not in need these days.

I'm not complaining about max3D, it should be released when it is ready and stable.

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HAHAHA. I couldn't help but burst out laughing when I read that post...

I agree that there are other things to do than wait for Max3d, however. It'll be out when it is done, and asking and complaining about it won't change that fact.

In my opinoin if Mr Mark is needing to rethink the engine it must be that either his initial design has shown up some complications that just wouldn't be nice for the programmer, or it's not efficient enough, or just isn't very elegant or flexible, and presumably it's enough of a problem to warrant having to rethink a lot of it. I'm sure he's frustrated with it and especially with so many people being frustrated about it. Maybe we can all start saying great positive things about Mark, BRL and Max3D to help things along more constructively?

- A GPU Program. - A directed quantity. - Something that reminds me of the codearchives.

I want my certificate now.

AngelDaniel, how is it constructive to say positive things about vapourware? I think that it's better for people to either keep quiet and wait or find an alternative 3d solution that meets their needs right now. Speculative criticism is just a waste of breath.

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Okay, so on the constructive side, would some of the Max veterans on this board mind listing the alternatives to Max3D?

Much appreciated if you could.

If by veterans, you mean "old farts" that sounds like me, so ok, in my personal order of preference :

TrueVision3D - Loads of features, blistering fast, very easy to use. Not free.

Irrlicht - Loads of features, Multi-platform, fairly fast, very easy to use. Free.

MiniB3D - Basic Features ( until Ant's version? ) Cross-Platform, decent speed, very easy to use. Free.

Ogre - Loads of features, very fast, not so easy to use, BMax wrapper is not actively developed. Free.

3Impact - Limited Features, decent speed, very easy to use. Not free.

Hello.

Just to add some spice to the mix, weren't there some users taken on board as beta(maybe alpha) testers for the 3d module? I'm pretty sure I remember reading of someone saying they'd signed an NDA.

Anyway.

I'm not really that concerned with the 3d module, though I can't see it doing BRL having an inclusive package available, ie, a decent IDE, GUI + RAD designer, 3d module, etc with all the bells and whistles that everyone wants. Then they could sell it for a heeuge amount and no-one here would buy it cos it would cost too much and we'd all remember the good ol' days when it was just mark and on and on and on...

Make do with what you've got, if that's not good enough experiment with solvents.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

I thought max3D would also include a physics engine beside of just a 3d engine?

All this speculation of it being delayed for a re-write from the ground up - and the actual quote on the French forum was that it wouldnt be before Xmas but there was only some animation related stuff to do.

I'm actually quite keen to see Max3D now, because i'd rather use a 3D supported engine than a freeware figure it out for yourself one, and my boss has just asked me to do something 3D on the Mac (hense I am here today checking progress).

Personally i'll not be making plans on it until it's in my hands. I wonder if my boss would like a PC........?

JustLuke - it's constructive not to call it vaporware.

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