Archive notice: This article was originally published on June 4, 2007. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Following the advance announcement in July of last year, Stoll von Gáti GmbH has now announced the completion of its RE3D plug-in for 3ds Max. The plug-in allows complex 3D scenes to be viewed and controlled in real time.
RE3D stands for “Real Time Engine 3D” and enables users to export scenes created in 3ds Max directly to the RE3D Player. The integration of a physics engine also opens up a wide range of possibilities for users in implementation. Different input devices, such as a keyboard and joystick, can be used for user interactions.
RE3D consists of two components: The RE3D plug-in for 3ds Max 7,8 and 9 (32-bit) and the RE3D Player, which serves as a viewer. Throughout the entire creation process – from modeling to shading – the user can work in the familiar 3ds Max environment. All RE3D-specific information can be controlled and managed in the integrated RE3D plug-in.
These include, for example, the texture manager, which enables the scene to be adapted for hardware of varying performance, the input of physical parameters for individual scene objects and their physical linkage, as well as a convenient interface for configuring input signals and their interaction with scene objects. In addition, different sound objects can be integrated that allow spatial audio output on multichannel systems.
All relevant data, such as 3D models, lights, cameras, meta information, standard and multi-materials of the scene, are output via the exporter integrated into the RE3D plug-in and can thus be opened in the RE3D Player.
The RE3D Player is based on DirectX9 technology. Apart from the RE3D Player and DirectX9-compatible hardware, no additional hardware or software is required, which makes it possible to pass the scene on to third parties without complication. After configuring the desired input devices, the scene can be started. The physics calculation is performed by the CPU. Via graphics card drivers that allow stereoscopic output, even a “real” 3D projection is possible.
The RE3D PlugIn is available in two versions: In addition to the Standard version, complex user interactions and simulation logics can be integrated with the Professional variant. The Professional Version is available for 349 euros, the Standard Version for 149 euros. In addition, every newly registered user on the RE3D website has access to a free 30-day trial version of the Professional Version. The RE3D Player required to play back the exported scene is free of charge.
Further links:
- RE3D
