>>Is anybody on the list using TrueSpace 2?

If so, any comments?<<

Hi Jan,

I have been using TureSpace for 3D work for a number of years. Earlier this
year I upgraded to TS3. I have a couple of scientific illustrations using
TS2 published in "Discovering Fossil Fish", an award winning coffee table
book on evolution. The pieces were shown at the GNSI exhibit in Santa Cruz
this summer. Recently I had a solo show of digital images that included a
number of TS rendered images (or parts thereof).

I think TS is a great value for the modeling tools that it affords you for
3D illustration. The core of the program was ported over from the Amiga
when it was still a viable 3D platform. Luckily they shed the old Amiga
interface (a lesson theat Lightwave is just getting around to) and changed
the name from Caligari to TrueSpace. The new interface, once you understand
it, is very intuitive- with all the tools available within a single
interface. If you run at hi-res, you may find those buttons to be on the
ssmall side. But I find myself quite used to their layout these days.

Note: however, if you require serious animation capabilities I would
suggest you look elsewhere. TS's animation tools are lighter than the more
professional packages and its implementation is a pretty weak.

BTW TS3 offers a significant upgrade over TS2 in both modeling and
animation tools. Is your choice strictly concerning a tight budget. If so,
then go for TS2. The discounted price for the older software makes it an
even more attractive package than when I bought it( currently listing as
$79 US for student discount). But if you can afford the higher premium,
then take a look at TS3 ($650 for standard or $319 US for student- CD
version). And if you can afford a major investment, I would suggest taking
a look at Kintex's 3D Studio MAX2. ($3000 standard or $1000 for student
version) it offers a fully integrated, highly professional modeling AND
animation package for half of the cost of SoftImage. I've been teaching MAX
for the last semester and I am very impressed.

Let me know if you have any more TS or 3D related questions.

Frank

Frank Ippolito    [log in to unmask]
American Museum of Natural History

"Wherever you go..., there you are."
                                                -Buckaroo Banzai