Legacy LD5

I've done a minor update to the Faibanx 3D wiki page at http://faibanx3d.lavadomefive.com:88, including a new Releases section which has a link to download the old 2003 model flythrough demo. A surprising number of people said they enjoyed soaring around giant toes, so I've recompiled it with Blitz3D and released it again.

Next, I need to make a new F3D logo and icon set to make that wiki page a little less...texty.

Started on the 3D collaboration server...got the VM built, just need to get it updated and get the software on it and run some tests.

I'm having trouble installing the DB Pro software from here: http://darkbasicpro.thegamecreators.com/?f=free

When I try to install, a window shows whether I would "modify", "repair", or "uninstall". Then I when I uninstall and re-install, I get the same window rather than trying to install. I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium x86-bit version and would like some help on this. I'll try to contact them and look at any FAQs if possible.

You only have to install DB Pro if you want to help with programming, and right now, don't need any help there. Need help with 3D modeling mostly.

Speaking of which, sigh, as with most abandonware the documentation for the 3D collaboration server is spotty at best...can't even see in the docs how to connect to the host server, but I've only just started looking at it. I'll do more research from work tomorrow and see if I can't get the server running, because holy crap will it be awesome to work on (and wander around) 3D models collaboratively...it's almost as good as what I want Faibanx 3D to be! And yes, by the way, you don't have to be a 3D arr-teest...you can use a "player" client and just watch the goings on.

Well, that's a relief. I got frustrated over programming stuff I don't have knowledge about so I won't need to download that. *wipes sweat off*

However, we can still use other modeling tools like Blender and stuff right? And other types of textures with some art-editing program like Photoshop can do right? *is being anxious an about as excited as Dino* ^.=.^

Of course, I have utilities available that allow me to use just about any kind of model. Update: I got the server working! I finally read between the lines and took some incredibly lucky guesses, and managed to get the client app to talk to the server. I'll be doing some tests remotely now that I've reconfigured the LD5 firewall, and make sure I can get to it from remotely, and if I can, I'll be asking for volunteers to beta-test it for me. Be warned: I think the learning curve is a bit steep, but once I figure stuff out I'll pass on the info.

Success! Unlike that piece of shit OpenCanvas, this lesser piece of shit 3D equivalent seems to at least work. I've successfully connected to the 3D collaboration server running at LD5 from my workplace. Now I just have to figure out how to put some simple 3D content up there to dick with and I'll start axing for volunteers...again, remember that I'll need non-arrteest volunteers to try out the "viewer" program, and 3D arr-teests to get in there and work on content collaboratively.

Yeesh! Already? DAMN you work fast for a micromanager. --.=.^

Too bad I don't know much about 3D art either so I can't help "create" things. All I have is 2D art skills. Anything else I can help with?

Oh, another thing, is there going to be any SPENDING involved?

IIRC, Most textures for basic 3D objects start out as rectangular images. However, the flat version of the texture is heavily distorted so that it looks good wrapped around the 3D model in virtual space.

Kinda like this!

No, there's no spending involved, unless you count Kruft.

Well, now that THAT'S handled... *cracks paws* gimme the official instructions O' mighty slipper slu--I mean emperor...

Well, despite what the terrible manual I have to use to get the SECRET MAGIC THREE-DEE COLLABORATION SERVER(tm) working says, I'm having a hard time setting up a standard 3D environment with just some objects scattered around on the VM. Why? Because as you might imagine, the 3D server has a full 3D view, and is not working well at all via RDP or VNC or on a VM for that matter, as it's just too graphics intensive. However, I hate to waste a full uber-PC on it, so I've tested the software on a lil' micro PC I have around that only has Intel onboard graphics (like a laptop) but seems to be enough for 3D rendering. I already have an IP KVM solution for accessing the screen and keyboard/mouse remotely, and since I have a bunch of those little wee PC's sitting around with nothing to do, I'm going to blow one out and put the server on it and use it for development of the "environment." Later, if I can do most tinkering remotely with the client and not have to futz on the server much, I can see about just putting the environment back on the VM I already have set up so it'll be easier to maintain, but I can always keep a wee PC around for the 3D porn collaboration server.

Anyway, just wanted to update everyone that it's not dead, even though it's of COURSE proving difficult...but all good things are, I s'pose. Nothing in my life claw-related is ever easy, I suppose. Anyway, I'll start working on the PC setup and hopefully have it done on the weekend, so I can start inviting testers on to sculpt huge claws and 3D dongs and other serious, mature works of art.

Okay, managed to set up a micro PC as a server, hooked up to an IP KVM switch, so that I can remotely control the 3D collaboration server in a matter where I can see the monitor output in true 3D rendering. See the lengths I go through to make shit happen? Mind you, I'm not impressed with the management of this software at all -- the documentation is akin to a soggy piece of toilet paper pulled from a sewer -- but for free, I'll put up with the bullshit, just as 2D arr-teests put up with that Engrish barely functional OpenCanvas. At least this thing has a server component, crappily managed as it is. Anyway, hopefully the bandwidth during the day will be good enough I can start setting up some 3D content on this server (up until now, I've just verified that the clients connect and can text chat).

And to recap, the goal for this mystery 3D collaboration server is to set up not only an online system for the great unwashed un-arr-teest general public to view 3D art creation in real time (through the use of "player" client software, view only), but also allow those who have the talent and desire to work on 3D models collaboratively in real-time to do so -- the 3D equivalent of OpenCanvas, only with a real server that can host multiple connections with ease.

To be honest, the basic functionality of this software itself meets the original basic goal of Faibanx 3D -- to allow clients to connect to a 3D virtual world and have a personal 3D "avatar" and engage in text chat while viewing 3D spoogy stuff. Maybe this software in and of itself will be enough to satisfy everyone's desires. I'm not holding my breath, though.

Hmmm... now where have I heard that before? I know I need to tread this issue lightly so as to not burst your bubble and potentially nullify your productivity, so I'll just put this here...

*stabs Sprotchy in the eye* NoooooooOOOOOooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOoooooo!

Must I rant about that system again? Actually, I guess I should because it fits in with the statement/point I just made. SL is not meant for macro simulations. Neither is this 3D collaboration server. However, it is...'close,' which is why there's some interest in using it as such. You can have people wander around in 3D and look at giant stuff, but that's it. Well, at least the giant stuff in the server I'm working on won't look like it's made out of balloon animals...no offense, Tombfyre.

So yes, I am aware of the turd that is Second Life and I cringe every time I hear of time and effort spent doing macro stuff in it when all you're doing is polishing a turd. But keep mentioning it, it's one of my biggest motivators to give people who ARE wasting time making 'macro' stuff in that system something that's actually worthwhile.