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Buddycom members are interested in computer generated images of dinosaurs, or dinosaur CG. Applications for rendering 3 dimensional models have become affordable. Computer central processing units, or CPU chips and their associated speeds have reached a level at which renderings and animations can be done quickly and conveniently. For comparison Buddycom started computer rendering back when a cpu chip with 1.2 million transistors and clocked at 20Mhz was a hot item. Buddycom searched the Web and at last we found 3D dinosaur models which were exact in detail and affordable. These are the models of the dinosaurs which we obtained on one CD from InfoMax 3D Model Club. Judging by the response we continue to recieve on these images, a great number of 3D enthusiasts agree. The prerelease Jurassic Pack CD contained 64 excellent 3D models of 50 different species. Even more models are planned for the international release version. Since it is the expressed aim of InfoMax to popularize computer graphics for everyone, in the same manner as movies have popularized both CG and dinosaurs with a certain amount of artistic license, we allow the same such license to InfoMax in the production of their CD. Although not all of the models represent dinosaur species of the Jurassic Period, all of the models are of a high degree of anatomical correctness, and come at an affordable price. What matters to us is how good the 3D models are, rather than in which period the beasts actually lived.
Various professors of Paleobiology at various american universities, including University of Indiana, Purdue University extension at Indianapolis, and the University of California at Berkeley campus, have recommended the dinosaur models of a company called Infomax 3D Model Club as being the best available. They are, you will agree, perfect in anatomical detail and are available on CD from InfoMax 3D Model Club, based in Osaka, Japan. 50 species of dinosaurs thus far unearthed as well as over 100 models of plants, and models of museum equipment come on one CD in various formats for both the Mac and Windows/NT platforms and of course, the textures are included as well. The Jurassic Pack CD is available for resale outside of Japan, InfoMax informs us. If you register for a copy now you can reserve a JURASSIC PACK CD for the discounted price of $170 US. The price apparently varies with the exchange rate of yen to dollar or something like that. Your credit card company can figure it out. We got ours already. After pricing 3D models of the highest quality such as these and finding that the cost is $200-$500 for just one 3D model, we had given up on 3D computer graphics of dinosaurs. We even tried making some models but that is just too difficult and time consuming. So, finding this CD complete with all the models for such a low price was indeed a serendipitous occasion. InfoMax is already working hard on a second Jurassic CD, Jurassic Pack2. They have a dinosaur CD in the works for the Cambrian Period now, too. It's called The Cambrian Pack. The actual release dates have yet to be announced since very high quality 3D models take a while to make perfect. Buddycom does not sell the CD. We just help you see what's included on it. Please do not send us email. Direct all order inquiries to InfoMax.co.jp InfoMax 3D Model Club makes many CDs with 3D models, not just dinosaurs. Their big seller in Japan apparently is their CyberBeauties CD, so naturally, they had a cyber beauty on the home page. So don't be put off when you visit their home page. They make models of the things which are the most popular. (In Japanese, "Tou zen no koto, ne?") Buddycom can't really bestow it's blessing upon war. We are well beyond eighteen years so, it's academic anyway, but InfoMax 3D Model Club has got a CD with some really beetchin' models of "Sen Sha," or war wagons, especially tanks. We wolud like to have the time to delve into that one.They also have a CD full of war planes, which is ditto the previous statement. And they have CDs with warships. These CDs are loaded with models, lots and lots of very detailed models. The CD's don't have any applications so there's no language problem. There are just models in folders of the different popular 3D application formats. The formats are all the ones you are familiar with, LightWave 3D LWO, 3D Studio .3DS, Strata, DXF, etc. And of course, there are the textures. Using a DXF model is cheating because the textures you make up for the surfaces are bogus; they aren't realistic enough. You aren't really a 3D computer graphics Guru if you can't put the skin on the model. You can put that silly skin on the model can't you? Well, can you or can't you? Which is it? LightWave 3D Gurus will only allow that the animations be made in LightWave 3D, and only in LightWave 3D. So that's how the frst two Buddycom dinosaur animations were done. But here's an exclusive Buddycom tip: You can actually do great animations with Ray Dream for the rendering and Poser version 3 for the animation. As long as your model has a head, the neck is optional. Then if you have a body and four appendages for the arms and or legs, the tail is optional. Poser 3 automatically puts all the parts into block sections and uses preprogrammed motions for natural body movements. It's sort of like the question of whether a rainbow trout tastes better when it's caught on fly fishing tackle. You have the choice of ordering Mac or Windows. Buddycom got Windows because Macs read Windows, but Windows doesn't read Mac. You may not be interested in more details. You probably just want to see what these puppies look like. So, scroll back up the page and start checking out the 3D images of dinosaurs. InfoMax also has a cool book for viewing
dinosaurs in 3D. |
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