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Caligari?...Microsoft?..Calisoft?
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Caligari?...Microsoft?..Calisoft? // Roundtable
Post by frootee // Feb 6, 2008, 5:57pm
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I Really don't see Truespace changing from its current path, via direction from Microsoft.
Microsoft did not have another 3D modelling app. Now they do.
They have not marketed one that I know of. So why would they take Roman's vision, and change it to something different? Roman is The Man Who Knows, not Microsoft, about 3D modelling and collaboration, as I see it.
Yeah this is a huge surprise and though it seems odd that truespace, a modelling app, falls under a "Microsoft map App" umbrella so to speak, I am sure that Caligari already has a product that Microsoft wants, and together, look out.
We stand to gain, since we are the users of truespace, and know how to use it. So we have an opportunity here, to basically 'make cool stuff to market'.
Anyway. When I read the news I went home to change my shorts. :D
Froo |
Post by transient // Feb 6, 2008, 6:19pm
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Maybe if you believe in the collaboration nirvana it's a good thing, but if like me all you really want is a good rendering package this announcement isn't really all that inspiring, and is potentially very troubling.
Web3d in all it's shapes and sizes has been a white whale for many years, and I expect it will be for many more. I want vray to reach it's potential so I can do cool things now.......that's not asking too much, is it? |
Post by Burnart // Feb 6, 2008, 6:34pm
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It would be nice to hear some reassuring words from Roman re. the immediate future of tS and the already announced 7.6 updates - progress report and hint about a possible release date.
The last 3d program I used as my main tool (Imagine by Impulse) never really announced they stopped developing the software - they kept making noises about how the next update was coming but it never did. The user community slowly disintegrated and many of us never got what we paid for. The company changed direction completely and seperated off the successful software ie.,particle illusion fell back into the hands of the guy who developed it. Years afterwards you could still find on the Impulse website pages about the next version of Imagine ... I have to say they whole thing left a bitter taste in the mouth. Although I'm trying to remain optimistic about it, this sudden news from Roman has left me with a sinking feeling and the nagging thought - "Here we go again." |
Post by Délé // Feb 6, 2008, 7:17pm
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I disagree about online interactive 3d. I think it is the future of the web. You only need look at how many online 3d worlds are popping up to see that the web is turning from a 2d environment with 3d elements, into a 3d environment with 2d elements. Look at the explosion of Second Life.
Online 3d worlds were a pipe dream for quite some time, mostly because the software wasn't ready and the bandwidth wasn't there. Now we have both. More and more people are getting high speed internet. In other parts of the world they are even getting WAY more bandwidth then here in the States. I'm very confident that the time for the web to go 3d is starting right now.
I can definitely understand some apprehension, especially for those that do a lot of offline rendering. I don't know what Caligari's plans are for that, but I doubt they'll dump it completely. In another 5 to 10 years there may be little difference between real-time and offline rendering though. Still, the focus of trueSpace has shifted more towards the online interactive 3d market. After all, Caligari has said they are making trueSpace a 3d program for "the age of the web".
The way I see it, apps like Maya, Max, and Softimage have pretty much got a foothold in the movie, game, and t.v. industries. If tS is to compete, it has to find a niche. I think the online interactive 3d stuff is the perfect niche. One that will grow quickly IMO. So while I know that the focus on real-time online interactive scenes is not great news for people that do offline work, I think it is good for tS in the long run. It opens up a whole new market to exploit. A market where the bigger apps do not yet have a foothold. TrueSpace actually has the advantage in this new market, which is nice for a change and good for us users.
It is my personal belief that the online interactive 3d market is about to explode in a gold rush. This puts tS and it's users at the forefront of that rush. I think that's a good thing.
The only apprehension that I have with the acquisition is with regards to the unknown. How does this change the plans of tS, if at all? I trust Roman though. I doubt he poured his heart a soul into tS over the past 20+ years only to sell out and take off. I'm sure he made this deal because he thought it was best for tS and the community. Time will tell exactly how this will play out, but I personally think it will be a good thing. |
Post by SiW // Feb 6, 2008, 7:25pm
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Pretty stunning news, eh? :)
I echo Délé's sentiments. I do understand where transient is coming from with the "white whale" comment, but I really do believe the technology has caught up with the visionaries. Perhaps its the users that now have to catch up? |
Post by transient // Feb 6, 2008, 7:46pm
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It is my personal belief that the online interactive 3d market is about to explode in a gold rush. This puts tS and it's users at the forefront of that rush. I think that's a good thing.
I'm sorry but I've heard this many times. I signed up with another brilliant web3d phenomenon called Shout, which also had unlimited potential, was uber-cool, and completely died in the butt.
I'm quite happy to be proven wrong, but I think I'm going to pass on this latest revolution.
I'll never understand why businesses drop bombshells like this and stir up the natives. A bit more info and I'd be happy. |
Post by W!ZARD // Feb 6, 2008, 8:00pm
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Well I did say today was an auspicious one for new beginnings and business ventures and so on - Chinese New Year, new 12 year cycle and all that but I didn't predict this!
(As I type there is a partial solar eclipse occurring with about 60% of the suns face covered - not that I think that's related - it's bad luck to be superstitious!)
Science Fiction has an interesting habit of becoming science fact (hands up all those who don't own a cell phone) so, for anyone with concerns about the future of trueSpace and Virtual Earth - I suggest you read 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson. Not only is it a ripping yarn it also portrays a very real virtual reality - in other words exactly what I would expect from the union of trueSpace/truePlay and Virtual Earth. 'Second Life' crossed with Google Earth - with total immersive 3d interaction way beyond where Google Earth is.
Roman and the Caligarians must be ecstatic right now. There will be a need for a dedicated modeling/texturing/animating software app to create usable 3d content for a 'trueEarth' virtual world. Thus I would anticipate that tS modeling and animation/physics abilities will get a huge boost in development.
The way we use trueSpace may well change but surely that was inevitable anyway as the nature of computing and the Internet changes so rapidly.
Microsoft is committed to 64bit architecture for the future.... well I could go on but the upshot is that I see this as incredibly exciting stuff. Will it be perfect? No. Will it satisfy everyone? No. Is it good news or bad news? Who can tell? Personally I believe this is an exciting and seminal moment on the ongoing growth of my favourite software and like any growth process it will include a mix of good and bad depending on how it's looked at.
Major congratulations to Roman and Caligari - I wish you all the very best for this wonderful new venture.
This calls for a bunch of Bananas
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
WZRD |
Post by JakeB // Feb 6, 2008, 8:09pm
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I just read the announcement and I am really disheartened by the news.
In my personal opinion/experience with company acquisitions this is good for Roman and Caligari but I suspect not so good for the current 3D Modeler base. Of course without hard facts this is all conjecture.
Microsoft did own SoftImage and sold it off:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1998/mar98/interpr.mspx
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=35215
The reason I think this was a good move for Roman as an entrepreneur is that he built a business and has to consider his plan of succession. It seems that after 20 years that the user base is small but loyal. Which is good from a stability standpoint but does not lead itself to growth and investment. Roman built the right product at the right time to make his company interesting to a major investor like Microsoft. The collaboration software is what I think MS wants to develop.
In my opinion, this is not such a good thing for people who were hoping trueSpace would bloom into a contender for LightWave, XSI, etc...
Since MS will be pursuing the 3D collaboration technology, they will want this product to appeal to a mass market.
Many people criticize MS products because they are bland and limited in their functionality. Please consider that their target market is the most users possible so they try to be everything to everyone. This causes you to create utilitarian and bloated applications because your design is so generalized.
It is possible that the Microsoft infusion will revitalize Caligari as well as expose it to a broader market and down the road Microsoft will spin it off like SoftImage as newer, better, stronger, faster, Steve Austin :-)
I didn't have a specific point here, just needed to express my anxiety at watching the change of an era.
My sincere congratulations to Roman as an entrepreneur that is seeing his 20 year life investment rewarded. |
Post by Ambrose // Feb 6, 2008, 8:25pm
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I think we should not draw to much conclusions, not have to worry right now.
The reason though that MS bought Caligari is quite simple, it's doing the 3d - Collaborating thing plus, and this is the reason:
The New Code...
Relax and enjoy some 3d ;) news for 7.6 is near, I hope ;)
SeYa/Ambrose... |
Post by Délé // Feb 6, 2008, 8:38pm
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I definitely hear where you're coming from Transient. The song has been sung many times before. However, I have recently spent time in some of these virtual worlds, including Second Life. I see real economies developing. I see big businesses like Toyota, Reebok, etc., buying virtual real estate. I see people actually making millions of "real" dollars selling virtual real estate to companies and individuals for both business and entertainment purposes. I don't know how someone could make millions of dollars selling virtual real estate if the online 3d market wasn't growing.
The generation that is getting online right now is very comfortable with online virtual worlds. They like being able to talk and interact with their friends or make new friends as opposed to staring at a 2d page with no one else around. So to me it's a natural progression to go from online interactive 3d games, to a 3d virtual internet.
From my perspective, it's not a matter of "if" or "when" the web will become 3d, it's happening right now. The only question is how fast will it develop. It may not be a gold rush, it might happen slow. I think it will hit a point where it booms though. That tends to happen a lot in technology. It hits a point where the table tips and suddenly everyone wants in. Personally I think that point is drawing near. |
Post by TigreStripe // Feb 6, 2008, 8:43pm
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Yes, great news.... What about 7.6?
I'm not going to say I can predict the future but if at some point MS decides it wants to move in another direction then Caligari could find itself sold down the river. Perhaps not. I use Windows. I have been a user from since MSDOS days. I didn't use Win. 1.0 I came to it at 3.1. Then 95, skipped 98. Win ME and then to XP. I have Vista Home Premium on my laptop. The OS is the only Microsoft application I use at home.
Now I'm new to 3D modeling so this doesn't effect me like it might the long time user base. Collaboration and virtual worlds are very good and I've often been impressed with the level of immerison. It's not my guiding light.
I like the real time render but I think it's going to become another weapon in MS's war with Google. I am probably wrong and that will be just fine with me if I am. but I would like more information before I drop more $$$ on any future Caligari software. I've already dropped close to $1000 bucks on it and now I'm thinking I should have directed that money to a diffrent app.
Either way, just my 5 cents (inflation). |
Post by transient // Feb 6, 2008, 9:35pm
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@ Dele - These are are all good points, and I honestly hope it works out for Caligari and the believers. I've thought for a while that web3d would never work without one of the IT titans getting their hands dirty, and Caligari have at least got that going for them. |
Post by jamesmc // Feb 6, 2008, 9:44pm
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I think this thread needs a reference to a good old Cowboy Yodeling tune. :D
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JH64weKPF60 |
Post by Improv // Feb 6, 2008, 9:45pm
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Maybe if you believe in the collaboration nirvana it's a good thing, but if like me all you really want is a good rendering package this announcement isn't really all that inspiring, and is potentially very troubling.
Agreed. I can't help but feel that we are all supposed to blindly get excited abut the collaboration thingy, but I bet if Caligari took the time to do a poll that they'd find many users could care less about Web3D content as a career or as a hobby.
Guess that makes those of us with interests other than web3d just SOL. Don't suppose that we get a refund if that happens? :rolleyes:
It's sounding more and more like it's time to move on to other software. |
Post by splinters // Feb 6, 2008, 10:53pm
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Having slept on this I feel excitement stirring this morning. I see the 3D collaboration thing very clearly and, as I mentioned earlier, have considered researching this (through tS as well) for a Phd. I see real business opportunities and those of us who took the time to learn tS will have the real advantage in using the forthcoming software....Very exciting.:D
BUT, what about the modelling and rendering features? I can see that the toolset will develop but how will LW and Vray figure in this? Will Microsoft really want to develop offline renderers if they want the technology for realtime?
I think the real scary part is the 'Wholly owned by...' line. If the news had read; 'Microsoft have licensed the tS/workspace technology' I bet we would all be jumping for joy right now, but owned by Microsoft??
I have been around here long enough to remember stories of Roman being offered deals before to sell out but standing true to his vision. This has resulted in a small but loyal user base but not one that may make him a very rich man.
I do not blame him for this, he has worked hard to build this up and deserves success. But I have worked for Caligari (still do...sort of) and you have to wonder how it will affect the future for us, certainly I do not expect to deal with Roman as much any more if at all. And who will sign the paycheques from now on?
If I got offered a huge deal for my books tomorrow, even if it was to a large corporation who may effectively 'absorb' them into their own product line, I would do it if the paycheck was large enough. Vision is great but it costs and after 8 years of hard work (20+ in Roman's case) I need to see something for my hard work. So I do know where he is coming from...but I remain apprehensive about the future of tS as a modelling/rendering tool.
I am sure the tone around here would be helped greatly by a Captain's Blog that addresses the concerns raised; namely tS7.6 and Vray 1.6. |
Post by W!ZARD // Feb 6, 2008, 10:53pm
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Agreed. I can't help but feel that we are all supposed to blindly get excited abut the collaboration thingy, but I bet if Caligari took the time to do a poll that they'd find many users could care less about Web3D content as a career or as a hobby.
Guess that makes those of us with interests other than web3d just SOL. Don't suppose that we get a refund if that happens? :rolleyes:
It's sounding more and more like it's time to move on to other software.
With all due respect Improv I'm amazed to read this! Where does any of us display our work - whether commercially or as hobbiests? On the net. Thousands of people have seen my artwork 'on the net' and less than 100 have seen it anywhere else. Sharing my interest in this hobby/occupation is also something that happens 'on the net'.
I can spend a month producing a raytraced image using a raytracing renderer in trueSpace which I then upload to a 2d gallery page 'on the net' where anyone with net access can... well, access it.
The advent of 3d 'gallery' places (like Caligari's shared space galleries) can only enhance and increase the demand for high-quality raytraced output from renderers like LightWorks, V-ray and dribble. All that changes is that people will view that art in 3d virtual spaces rather than in 2d HTML pages.
While I respect and recognise the validity of your concerns I can't help thinking that not only is your comment "It's sounding more and more like it's time to move on to other software." somewhat premature and unnecessarily gloomy but also completely backwards. I'm not saying you're wrong and I'm right - I'm saying that the way I see it is 'it's sounding more and more like now is the time to be grateful we existing users have a head start on using the technology and for us to hold on tight because the trueSpace journey may well be about to accelerate markedly'.
I could be wrong of course. I also intend to teach myself to use LightWave 9.3 this year - it does cloth dynamics, hypervoxels blah, blah blah and is a major league application in TV and movie industries - but it's not trueSpace and can't do what triueSpace does. Move onto other software if you wish but I strongly recommend you also stay on board the trueSpace train.
And besides, I'd miss you if you left!! ;) |
Post by splinters // Feb 7, 2008, 12:02am
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I too am excited about the online/realtime possibilities offered here Wizard but I can't help being apprehensive about off line rendering in the future. I mean, why would Microsoft invest time and money into Vray and the such if it has no intention of using it in its technology.
I know you are enamoured by the realtime renderer Wizard and that is great but at the moment we have a choice of renderer...will that still be the case in a year's time? |
Post by jamesmc // Feb 7, 2008, 12:18am
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I am guessing, don't really know, that with DX10 and further Microsoft Developments, that real time renderers will be graphic card driven (the future of multiple gigabyte sized graphic cars). This means extremely powerful and extremely fast real time rendering that is photo realistic.
At least that's my take on it. |
Post by jayr // Feb 7, 2008, 12:47am
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what worries me in this link: http://virtualearth.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!2BBC66E99FDCDB98!11432.entry
is the "Caligari, makers of the amazing trueSpace, joined the Virtual Earth team here at Microsoft this week" bit. Are we going to get trueSpace VE? Re Caligaris resources going to be poured into developing 'Virtual Earth' at the expence of truspace? We really do need some concrete answers soon or this thread will be a million pages of worried/ exited speculation. |
Post by W!ZARD // Feb 7, 2008, 12:50am
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I too am excited about the online/realtime possibilities offered here Wizard but I can't help being apprehensive about off line rendering in the future. I mean, why would Microsoft invest time and money into Vray and the such if it has no intention of using it in its technology.
I know you are enamoured by the realtime renderer Wizard and that is great but at the moment we have a choice of renderer...will that still be the case in a year's time?
Good questions Splinters - I'll answer the second one first ("at the moment we have a choice of renderer...will that still be the case in a year's time?") by saying, I hope so. I also want to add that I think it is most likely that we will. tS 7.5 Workspace is already directly linked to a good quality Raytracer - Vray. Caligari have repeated said they want to increase and improve the interconnection between WorkSpace and V-ray. Additionally Workspace already deals pretty well with LightWork shaders (via the dreaded bridge) but they must be aware of the customer base which has repeated asked for reassurances that tS and LW were going to remain connected in the future.
Most importantly, the customer call for dedicated raytracers hasn't gone anywhere and is therefore still as potent a market force as ever.
Re your first question "why would Microsoft invest time and money into Vray and the such if it has no intention of using it in its technology" the simplest answer would be 'diversification'.
A brief story to illustrate the point - in my hometown a while back a small and dedicated group of master brewers took a big chance and started their own boutique brewery despite the fact that in this country there are two major beer makers who dominate the market between them.
The small time local guys had correctly discovered a rapidly growing niche market and after a while became quite successful despite the big guys monopoly. The inevitable happened of course and one of the big guys bought out the little guys and started pumping vast amounts of money into their operation. The big guys recognised the little guys knew what they were doing and wanted them to do it more - and now Macs Beers are a huge success story for everyone involved - even the customer because the greater productivity meant greater economies of scale so the price came down and the beer got even better.
Of course it may be hard to see a parallel between beer and software but the economic and business fundamentals are the same. Microsoft clearly recognises the potential of trueSpace and want to add it's diversity to their business plan. In the world of big business it usually boils down to one thing - diversify or die! Why else would Microsoft be haggling to buy Yahoo?
Yahoo, like them or not, have a successful business model - messing with that model is just silly. Ditto with trueSpace and Caligari.
From what I've seen in this thread and others the existing customers clearly want offline rendering/ratracing capabilities in trueSpace - why would they mess with that?
Time will tell of course but that's what I see as a like potential future outcome. Once again, the only thing I know for sure is that I hope so!
PS, Did you ever watch 'Dragons Den' on the tele? Rich folk with money to invest were looking for poorer folk with great business ideas to partner with for mutual benefit and profit. They didn't try to take over the operation but rather to help it to succeed even more. I think the same fundamental process is occurring here which is why Roman agreed to sign the dotted line. |
Post by W!ZARD // Feb 7, 2008, 12:56am
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I am guessing, don't really know, that with DX10 and further Microsoft Developments, that real time renderers will be graphic card driven (the future of multiple gigabyte sized graphic cars). This means extremely powerful and extremely fast real time rendering that is photo realistic.
At least that's my take on it.
An excellent point James. 10 years ago the internet and the 3d graphics industry looked nothing like it does today - in ten years time it will look far different to anything we can even imagine now.
Multi-core GPU's 64 bit (and sooner or later 128 bit) OS's.... the lise goes on.
One things for sure - we live in interesting times! |
Post by prodigy // Feb 7, 2008, 12:57am
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Im have the same feeling like splinters. As a non realtime user, i see the end of a road here..
I have about 5 yrs of experience with truespace, and i have learned allmost all inside truespace.. And i have tried move to another 3d softwares without a good result due the diferent UI.
Once truespace back with Vray i see the future again working with truespace.
Now our "captain" push all of us on another direction, who knows what direction but not the original that's for sure..
Microsoft using money copy or own any cool idea from small companies.
I remember when i saw the first version of Powerpoint (with other name) from another small company.. few years later Powerpoint was owned by microsoft and voilá
ICQ? ~ MSN
Firefox with Tabs ~ IE 7 with tabs
Hotmail? ~ Microsoft
Gmail 2 free Gigas? ~ Hotmail 5 gigas
Google Earth? ~ Live Earth
Google Sketchup ~ Truespace
Any good idea is "stolen" by microsoft, and that's is the politic from microsoft that is bad in my oppinion.. Monopoly?? sure Bill has lot of money on his pockets..
What's about us?? Who cares... |
Post by Délé // Feb 7, 2008, 1:04am
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You know, Vray would actually be VERY useful for real-time scenes if/when they implement texture baking. So personally, I think it would still be useful to have. That aside there is a lot of speculation that Roman is not running Caligari anymore and that the whole interface will change and such. I don't know, that may be the case but he certainly didn't make it sound like that. To me it sounded like things would still be very similar to the way they are.
At the same time you will be pleased to hear that our development team and tightly knit community of Beta testers will stay the same as before, only now we will have more resources to rely on, larger market to consider and I hope more fun doing that.
Of course I'm just speculating off of what Roman said too. I'm sure when he gets a chance he will fill us in on the details and how things will play out. Perhaps we should give Roman the benefit of the doubt until we hear more.
Btw, I don't think Roman ever said offline rendering was going away either. Just because they've put some focus on the web3d stuff doesn't necessarily mean the rest is going away. We'll have to wait until we hear more from Roman. |
Post by splinters // Feb 7, 2008, 1:06am
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I don't doubt it James and it is undoubtedly inevitable but I still want to use tS now and I am still curious about 7.6 of which nothing has been said for a while.
You build your skill set up around a set of tools, materials renderers etc. and it is just not feasible to port it all to realtime technology. This has been discussed in the 'heart felt plea' thread. I am not taking this personally nor arguing with any individual about their point of view. I am just understandably apprehensive about the future of tS as a tool for character design and illustration...and let us not forget that character animation was one of the key features touted for 7.5/7.6. |
Post by nowherebrain // Feb 7, 2008, 1:29am
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Dim and disappointment come to mind. |
Post by W!ZARD // Feb 7, 2008, 1:59am
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Any good idea is "stolen" by microsoft, and that's is the politic from microsoft that is bad in my opinion.. ..
Is this really true? Or is it just the way business works? The first automobile was made by a German company (Daimler? Benz?). Does this mean that any other company that makes cars has 'stolen' a good idea?
Phones were invented by Alexander Bell - does this mean Nokia and Motorola have stolen the idea from him? (or from Star-Trek?)
MS-bashing and conspiracy theories abound - and may well have some basis in truth. But Bill Gates has given more money to charities and needy children than I ever will so the image of a power mad megalomaniac bent on taking over the world and ruining everyones day does not add up.
Remember the world wide web exists because of Microsoft, not in spite of it. And if they hadn't done it the someone else (Steve Jobs?) would have.
@Splinters - re "I am just understandably apprehensive about the future of tS as a tool for character design and illustration...and let us not forget that character animation was one of the key features touted for 7.5/7.6." - Paul I understand and to some extent share you apprehension but I can't help feeling that character animation is safe as houses for the future - if tS is to become a tool for building content for a real-time Virtual Earth then it seems to me that character animation MUST be supported.
Who wants to spend time and money in a fully 3d space looking like a cyclopean golf ball on a polystyrene cup wearing a top hat?
It strikes me that good - no, great - character animation abilities are as essential as the spaces they're to move around in.
PS - I think Dele is the one with the right response to this announcement! Go Dele |
Post by Steinie // Feb 7, 2008, 2:18am
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Roman in an earlier Blog
"I firmly believe that 2008 will be the year when our new architecture will fully shine making everyone in the industry take notice - and I mean everyone!"
I think he may have known back then.
1) One thing IS certain, their health benefits are better now.
2) Roman is now a "Project Manager" who now reports to someone else.
3) "3D collaboration" get use to it.
4) Mark better buy his Virtual World soon.
5) 2008 is definitely going to be a year of change!:mad::confused::( |
Post by Dirk_Fist // Feb 7, 2008, 2:21am
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I have to say that many of microsoft's recent move's do not fill me with abundant confidence.
Lets see first they broke directX so half my games stopped working.
Then they dropped support for HLP from windows helpviewer so I could'nt read the documentation for many of my app's.
Then they dropped doc support from wordpad. (The documentation for many other apps)
I remember seeing the trailer for the first HALO and thinking WOW, then microsoft bought bungee and halo became an XBOX only title (I refuse to own a console)
I remember the people at bungee talking about synergies, and how this was'nt going to change their plans for halo as PC title.
I expect that microsoft will change the focus of caligari, this might be for the better, but it might not.
Certainly the second-life theory is reasonable, also the recent release of xbox 360 and xna argues that microsoft might be interested in gamespace .
Ok here's a banana to lighten things up :banana: |
Post by splinters // Feb 7, 2008, 2:24am
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I guess responses to the news will vary depending on your use of tS or your relationship with Caligari. I don't really use realtime that much and I am daunted by the news, but I am sure that Wizard and 3DVD were jumping for joy at the news. You can see already how those who favour the model side and/or offline renderers are reacting to the news.
As someone who has made the icons for tS since version 7.0 I am understandably confused what this means for the future of the UI and, indeed, who now pays for the work I have done on 7.6....:(
I keep invoicing a Mr. B Gates but he is yet to reply...:rolleyes:;) |
Post by Blueair // Feb 7, 2008, 2:35am
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Total Posts: 7
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This is a great thing for Caligari and Roman. Who could ask for a better exit strategy then being bought by Microsoft. The only problem is that Microsoft bought Caligari and its technology for their Virtual Earth team. IMHO, the former Caligari team will now focus all of their energy and resource exclusively on this project. The positioning of trueSpace as a 3D application in the same realm as 3ds max, SoftImage and all the others could, unfortunately, be a thing of the past... |
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