Microsoft KB Archive/180207

INFO: What Is DS Warp?

PSS ID Number: Q180207 Article last modified on 02-05-1998

IRIX:3.7; WINNT:3.7

IRIX winnt

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The information in this article applies to:

 Softimage 3D for IRIX, version 3.7 == Softimage 3D for Windows NT, version 3.7 == 

= SUMMARY =

DS Warp is an interface that allows scenes created in SOFTIMAGE 3D (SI3D) to be used in SOFTIMAGE|DS (DS) as effects. You can use these effects as transitions (such as page turns) or filters (such as waves and bubbles). Most anything you can do in SI3D, you can import into DS. In addition, certain variables allow some control over the SI3D scene within DS. DS ships with a variety of scenes as well as a starting template for the creation of other scenes for SI3D users. You can also download new scenes from the Web site.

In DS, you simply select the DS Warp icon as a track effect or transition. From that interface you can load a scene from a SI3D database. Also from within this interface, you have control over render properties, length of the effect, as well as scene variables. When you process the clip, a Softimage standard render is launched. The moving video from the DS track(s) is applied as texture maps onto the geometry in the Softimage scene.

= MORE INFORMATION =

Anatomy of the 3D Scene
Template scene:

Determining the exact settings so that a texture-mapped image lines up with the video is not easy. It involves grid size, camera distance, lighting, material, and texture settings. To eliminate this timely process, we provide a template scene that insures an initial match. You can create any effect you want, but it is essential to start with the grid and all of its initial values. Also, the template scene is 600 frames long. It is recommended that you create scenes at this length because DS only allows you to scale the length of the scene down. So, making it 600 frames provides adequate room to adjust the length.

Moving video:

You can have one or two textures in the scene. You must name the picture “dstexture1” or “dstexure2.” The database that ships with DS has both in the picture directory. When the effect is run, DS replaces the pictures with the moving video streams during render. Dstexture1 is the foreground shot and #2 is what is revealed.

Model note:

When building your SI3D scene, you can expose any variable that is controlled by expressions. For example, some of the scenes that ship with DS include variables for light position, material specular highlight size, offsets to change the speed or movement of different elements, and a lot more. In brief, to get this information into DS, you use a specifically- named Null with a model note attached to it. DS reads the information on the model note and adds these variables to its Warp effect interface.

Limitation
Softimage standard renderer:

DS Warp uses the standard Softimage renderer, which is relatively fast by SI3D standards but very slow by post effect standards. Because a real-time warp engine is not used, it is necessary to wait for rendering a page turn. Also, the Softimage render does not perform certain functions such as displacement mapping. On the other hand, you do not need to be a programmer to create in-house signature effects. At present, there are effects such as melting plastic, shattering glass, and sucking vortexes.

Something that does not work:

It is impossible to load scenes using kaboom and cluster centers.

= REFERENCES =

If you have any questions concerning the information contained in this article, contact support@softimage.com by e-mail. ====================================================================== Keywords : si si3d si3dren Version : IRIX:3.7; WINNT:3.7 Platform : IRIX winnt Issue type : kbinfo ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.