Strata’s Live 3d tool already allows the export of 3d content created in packages such as Maya, 3d Studio Max and Strata’s own Strata 3D CX in an optimised java applet for the web. The Away3d Team have partnered with Strata in order to allow the export of 3d content in Flash, providing more compatibility thanks to the ubiquity of the Flash plugin.

This should be great news for any designers using 3d in Flash - and opens the door for future collaboration aimed at improving the workflow for 3d Flash projects. For the full story go to http://away3d.com/away3d-enters-into-partnership-with-strata

The trunk version of Away3d found here has been updated to a release candidate version for 1.9.3. Full details of the additions in this release will be announced when the final build is tagged, but for now, here’s a sneak peek of the new projection and layering options available within the updated trunk classes. The source for this demo is also available - just right click on the swf background for a ‘View Source’ option. You will need to download the latest trunk build to publish the swf.

Rob

*Update:*  Away3D version 1.9.3 is now available via svn or downloads section of away3d.com.

This demo nicely illustrates the huge visual enhancement that normalmapping brings to Away3D. You can click on the bust to swap between the new Dot3BimapMaterial and the old WhiteShadingBitmapMaterial for a direct comparison. New materials that take advantage of normal maps will be included in the next release of Away3D.

The normal map in this example was created from a high-poly mesh using a technique decribed here. The resulting model has significantly fewer triangles, but retains a high degree of detail in the displayed object. This is hugely beneficial to scenes where high render speeds require low poly-models.

Rob

Just a copy of my post on the away3d list for this new technique. I’m sure you won’t believe me when i say that the turtle reference is simply a coincidence, but there you go…

First ever implementation of dot3 normal mapping in Flash

There is a lot of possibility with importing normal maps into away3d. However, normal maps themselves can be complex to get right, so this demo combines the advantages of a normal map render pipe with the simplicity of a bumpmapped texture, allowing the model to have extra detail without all that fiddly high-poly/low-poly nonsense. Much easier to get right, plus you have the advantage of using a normal map if you would prefer. People with faster machines can set the default quality to high for a fantastic smoothed shading experience… - looks great but it’s also heavy on the old processor.

I cannot tell you how soon i want to try this with a proper normal map…

Rob