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Dynamite VSP Version 3.0 | Release Notes

Primary areas of focus in this milestone release include vastly improved data import capabilities with native support for MX Model Files, 12D Ascii Files and LandXML, and brand new swept object technology which for the first time generates true parametric and permanently editable swept/lofted geometry.

Release Date

15th September 2006

Major New Features

  • Brand New Swept Object Technology now offering fully parametric and permanently editable swept objects. A host of new associated features revolutionise the use of swept objects in Dynamite VSP Version 3.0 including profile smoothing, texture spanning across multiple profile elements, import profile from shape object, export profile to MX Major Option Design, and much more!
  • Native MX Model File Support. For the first time, content from any MX Model File may be imported directly into 3ds Max and Autodesk VIZ via Dynamite VSP. No MX or Arenium licence is required to use this feature. It is also possible to permanently link your Dynamite VSP visualisation to an MX model file so that design changes in MX are automatically reflected in your visualisation by clicking a single button in Dynamite VSP!
  • Native 12D Ascii File Support. Import from and permanently link your Dynamite VSP visualisation model directly to one or more 12D Ascii Files.
  • Native LandXML File Support. Import from and permanently link your Dynamite VSP visualisation model directly to one or more LandXML Files.
  • New Imported Object Manager Panel which provides an overview of the current status of all objects derived from imported data files. Objects derived from outdated source file data are highlighted indicating at a glance whether your visualisation is out of step with your design. For broken source file links, it is also possible to modify source file associations - even allowing you to choose a different source file type if necessary.
  • New Placed Object Manager Panel which enables the management of multiple placed objects simultaneously. Collectively modify horizontal/vertical offsets, parent shapes and surfaces, and other placement settings for multiple placed objects.
  • New Object Animation Editor providing quick, simple and effective control over the animation of placed objects originally created using the Object Placement Style Editor. Apply and remove animation to objects, and apply acceleration/deceleration and lane change animation to animated vehicles.
  • Enhanced animation functionality in Autodesk VIZ. The animation of horizontal offset, vertical offset and rotation for placed objects is now possible in Autodesk VIZ (previously only available in 3ds Max).
  • Smoother Animation capabilities and better performance of animated objects placed on long parent splines.
  • Improved interoperability between 3ds Max and Autodesk VIZ allowing scenes to be moved freely between either host application.
  • Enhanced country kit object libraries:
    • 9 new low-poly vehicle definitions including trucks, and 6 cars supplied by Marlin Studios.
    • New parametric Traffic Signal object for modelling traffic signals and variable message signs (animatable in 3ds max).
    • New Wind Turbine Object for wind farm visualisation
  • New Parametric Road Marking Objects for creating chevrons, hatching, and areas of solid fill.
  • New Rail Object Style Editor for applying rail objects to multiple strings simultaneously using a series of string label masks.
  • New Building Object Style Editor with 18 associated seamless building textures. Automatically extrude fully textured 3D buildings from 2D floor plan strings.
  • New Feature Interpretation Functionality for automatically converting imported boundary strings to surface meshes and assigning materials automatically (automatic triangulation).
  • Parameter Instancing. Share common parameters between multiple objects of the same type causing changes to one instance to affect all instances. Particularly useful on rail objects, road markings and swept objects where only the parameters of the profile are instanced leaving you free to share profile parameters between completely independent parent strings with differing spline geometry.
  • User Interface Improvements including a variable width for the Dynamite VSP Explorer panel, redesigned Object Placement Style Editor, and persistent panel positions to assist users with dual monitors.
  • Improved Installation Script allowing Dynamite VSP to automatically be associated with multiple installations of 3ds Max and Autodesk VIZ, unattended (silent) network deployment, and full uninstall support for DynLM.

Other Improvements

User Interface Improvements

  • Dynamite VSP Industry Presets for Autodesk VIZ and 3ds Max now included with installation of Dynamite VSP.
  • All Dynamite VSP Style Editor panels now feature cut/copy/paste buttons for duplicating or moving elements within styles or between styles.
  • Adding elements to styles now results in new element being placed beneath the selected element rather than above it.
  • Improved CSP Lighting Management Rollouts implemented in Dynamite VSP Explorer
  • New CSP Traffic Signal Parameters rollout implemented in Dynamite VSP Explorer
  • New CSP Building Object Parameters rollout in Dynamite VSP Explorer
  • Redesigned panel layout implemented for the Object Placement Style Editor
  • It is now possible to instantly convert all objects within a selected Dynamite VSP object category to editable meshes to remove scene dependencies on special Dynamite VSP geometry plugins. This is useful feature if you need to distribute your models to colleagues that do not use Dynamite VSP. This function is available by right-clicking any object category item in the Dynamite VSP Explorer panel.

Swept Objects

  • Completely re-written for Version 3.0
  • New Swept Object Parameters rollout has been implemented in the Dynamite VSP Explorer allowing Swept Objects to be updated at any time
  • The Swept Object Style format has been extensively modified to accommodate the new swept object functionality introduced in this release.
  • Parameter Instancing

Object Placement

  • When a vehicle or furniture object is placed in your model which is originally derived from a MAX file which already contains pre-assigned materials, you now have the option as to whether these pre-assigned materials are automatically overwritten. A new option in the Dynamite VSP Preferences Panel defines how this behavior is applied. This was added to Version 3.0 to cater for the new for low-poly vehicles which use fixed body colours and where much of the detail on the vehicle is derived from special mapping assignments.
  • A default Chainage Looping setting can now be specified in the Dynamite VSP Preferences Panel.
  • It is now possible to instantly bake the position of all placed objects in a selected Dynamite VSP object category in order to remove all dependencies on parent strings and shapes. This command cannot be undone, so use with caution.
  • New Sign/Tree Preview bitmap added to "Select Other Sign/Tree Definitions" dialog box which is called from the CSP Sign Parameters and CSP Tree Parameters rollouts.
  • All Dynamite VSP Explorer Object Parameter rollouts now include standard parameter instancing controls. This replaces similar functionality previously included in the CSP Position Controller rollout.

Data Import

  • The implementation of much faster .NET based data import routines when importing from LandXML files, MX Model files, and 12D Ascii Files.
  • Fully customisable automatic material assignments and wirecolors when importing from LandXML files, MX Model files, and 12D Ascii Files. (Previously hard-coded).
  • Automatic mesh optimisation and vertex welding for tins and triangulation strings when importing from LandXML files, MX Model files, and 12D Ascii Files.
  • Modify source file associations for imported objects in the new Imported Object Manager panel.

Road Markings

  • Parameter Instancing - share the same basic instance of road marking parameters between several road marking objects.

Rail Objects

  • Parameter Instancing - share the same basic instance of rail object parameters between several rail objects.

Materials

  • New DynamiteBuildings material definition

Issues Solved

  • Country kit selection is no longer case sensitive.
  • Longfall tracking for vehicles and is now correctly applied in Object Placement Style Editor.
  • Global vertical shift for road marking symbols is now correctly applied in Object Placement Style Editor.
  • During installation, Windows Desktop and Programs menu shortcuts are now optionally created for all users instead of being restricted to current user.
  • Cast shadows settings are now remembered after an object is updated from it's original source data file.
  • When parent shape objects are deleted, dependent placed objects no longer lose their local orientation.
  • Backface cull is now correctly set on trees, forests and signs.
  • Attach to object now works for non-geometry objects such as light sources.

Supported Host Applications

  • Autodesk 3ds Max 6
  • Autodesk 3ds Max 7
  • Autodesk 3ds Max 8
  • Autodesk VIZ 2005
  • Autodesk VIZ 2006
  • Autodesk VIZ 2007