2004/03/10
The ModelStudio is showing progress. Will therefore not write much but continue.
A Dynamic Arrays Set of Functions is ready - will make a final Test later on and then upload it to the CodeArea.

2004/03/05
GetCodeFromArchive added to the CodeArea

2004/03/04
Some of the statements below confused - I should write this completely in German here - would be much easier for me.
So, "Based on VRML" is not completely right. Although the Models are basically converted from VRML they are now B3D-AnimMeshes with the difference that the Anim is a separate System. Blitz understands it and it works - that's what makes it quite easy to soon provide all Programs as a line of affordable Tools for everybody.
Back to work ... after working 40 hrs in a row and sleeping 10 afterwards

2004/03/01
Will do some work on the TerrainStudio tonight - the first questions reached me, about when it will be available. And if I could put a list of features on the site.

I think I cannot answer all these questions now. Sorry.

The point is, it's part of a complete own development system - Blitz3D is used as platform - but all animations, the landscape, the models, houses, furniture, plants and other stuff of ambient environment are based on VRML 2.0 and I made it compatible with Blitz3D.
I wrote the conversion-programs and developed the StudioLine to be able to add new features and to do things that are not common.

Example: In a normal computergame a walking model has some animation keys and the walking animation is running no matter at what speed the model is moving. The Position is one thing and the animation is something else - just fitted together by a guessed factor and most times is not accurate - looks as if the Model is gliding on Ice-skates.

Here's how it works with the Models that are pepped up by the ModelStudio:
The Animation is done quite similar - besides it got made "system-friendly" in a certain way via a fps-pre-calculation - but the major change is, that the speed (and so the looks of it) is dependent on bone-positions the developer can determine himself.
To make it easier to understand: If a foot touches the ground the system gets the info that this is the new reference point between Model and Ground. While the animation continues the two "connected" vertices of Ground and Foot are still connected making the model move forward. Several frames later the animation has reached a state where the other foot that has passed the reference point and is touching the ground. Now the system gets the info that it has to release the previous connection and use a new connection as reference point. And so on. That brings reality to it - in opposite to the ice-skating wannabe-walkers you usually see in games.
And since the developer has control over the animation-system (in opposite to Blitz3D where the Language has the control and doesn't give you a big chance to get it) there are flowing changes between different gestures and animations possible. A Model that reaches stairs for instance continues the straight walk with stepping entering the sequence right at the exact point - not to mention, that walking upstairs follows the same rules (Ground Bones reference points).
This system features of course sliding, jumping and moves of any kind, too.
And the developer is able to synchronize as many Models with each other as he likes.
Maybe it will never be used - but two virtual people could dance a waltz for hours without getting off beat.
And if  I would program a beat-recognition-system (that's something for the ToDoList - lol) they could even dance to the music. ;-) 

2004/02/28
Started the CodeArea with 22 useful Commands:
W3DButtons (10), FileList (1) and DynamicStringArrays (7) StringsInBanks(4)

Unfortunately I do not have too much time to care for the style of this site - so the layout and design is nothing I am proud of - but I think it's more important (after 25 years of programming experience) to announce things that may help developing the language than to waste time with design matters.

Especially the 3D in Blitz3D is a bit too much underdeveloped. There's such a lot that is missing - so many useful things - that's why I decided to make this Web-Site to be able to show at least the most important lacks of the language.

Okay, you can make Space-Invaders, and Marble Madness and all that Commodore-64 and Sinclair-Spectrum stuff that's shown in Idigicons Showcase. But webbased 3D-Shooters or roleplaying games - somehow up-to-date in graphics and design - where are they ?!
Some little although very impressive Demos exist - but when it comes to finished projects - nothing, exact nothing - and one of the reasons is - workarounds - workarounds - workarounds. And missing features that are essential to make a game complete.

On the other hand - even expensive produced productions can be complete rubbish as the following example demonstrates ! ! !

Has anyone tested Unreal 2 ? I wonder who has made that sh..? Endless long loading times even on a 1.667 Ghz-System that is used only for gaming - the Graphics are not that big step into the future as announced - when it comes back to windows you have to restart your computer because it has ruined all settings. And so on and so on and so on. And - bah - I do not have the time to continue - in the end it's a game not worth to mention.
Really disappointing if you wait for something that has been announced by all magazines as the step into the future.
Okay, that is only my view - others may love to make a cup of tea while a program loads - get fragged - and then have time to go out for a pizza until the game is ready again.