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Tutorials

Plug-ins

Models

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FAQ

 

 
     
     

 

 

3D Canvas™

3D Canvas is a real-time 3D modeling and animation tool that incorporates an intuitive drag-and-drop approach to 3D modeling.

Complex models can be constructed from simple 3D primitives, or created using 3D Canvas' Object Building Tools. Modeling tools are provided to deform, sculpt, and paint 3D objects.

Creating an animated scene is as simple as positioning the objects within your scene for each point in time in your animation. 3D Canvas will ensure that the resulting animation runs smoothly. Your animation can be stepped through a frame at a time, viewed in real-time, or recorded to a Video (AVI) file so that you can distribute your creation.

Tool roll-up groups allow you to customize the 3D Canvas interface so that only those items you use most frequently are visible. And if you need access to a less frequently used feature, the tool roll-up is always one click away.

The standard version of 3D Canvas is a fully functional product provided as freeware. Upgrades are available for those who require additional features either for game development or for rendering photo-realistic images.

Feature Comparison

Product 3D Canvas 3D Canvas Plus 3D Canvas Pro
 
Price Free $34.95 US    $69.95 US
 
Who is it for? Those wanting an introduction to 3D modeling and animation Those interested in creating detailed models or creating low-polygon models for game development
 
Those wanting a full-fledged 3D modeling and animation package with the ability to create photo-realistic images4
 
3D Canvas Standard Modelling features
 
Yes Yes Yes
Import Formats1 DirectX (x)BioVision
MD2
Raw (raw)
Wavefront (obj)
WorldToolKit (nff)
DirectX (x)
BioVision Motion Capture
MD2
Raw Triangles (raw)
Wavefront (obj)
WorldToolKit (nff)
3D Studio (3ds)
AutoCAD (dxf)2




 

DirectX (x)
BioVision Motion Capture
MD2
Raw Triangles (raw)
Wavefront (obj)
WorldToolKit (nff)
3D Studio (3ds)
AutoCAD (dxf)2
3D Studio (asc)
Imagine (iob)
Lightscape (lp)
LightWave (lwo)
Maya (rtg)
Quicktime 3D  (3dmf)RealiMation (rbs)
RenderWare (rwx)
trueSpace (cob)
VideoScape (geo)
VRML 2.0 (wrl)
XGL
XYZ
ZGL

 

Export Formats POVRay (pov) POVRay (pov)
3D Studio (3ds)
DirectX (x)
MD2
MS Train Simulator (s)
MS Flight Simulator 2002

 
POVRay (pov)
3D Studio (3ds)
DirectX (x)
MD2
MS Train Simulator (s)
MS Flight Simulator 2002
3D Studio (asc)
AutoCAD (dxf)
BVE (csv)
Collada (dae)
Imagine (iob)
Lightscape (lp)
LightWave (lwo)
Maya (ma)
Open Inventor (iv)
Quicktime 3D (3dmf)
Rail3D (stk/stc/sig)
Rail Simulator (igs/ia)
Raw Triangles (raw)
RealiMation 4.1 (rbs)
RenderMan (rib)
RenderWare (rwx)
Shockwave 3D (w3d)
Softimage 3.5  (xsi)
SteroeLithography (stl)
Trainz Railroad Simulator (im)
trueSpace (cob)
TurboSilver (ts)
VideoScape (geo)
VRML (wrl)
Wavefront (obj)
WorldToolKit (nff)
X3D
XGL
ZGL
 
Skeletal Animation Bones Standard Standard Standard
Rounded Cylindrical
Spherical
 
Animation Yes Yes Yes
 
Animation Key-Frame Manipulation
 
Yes Yes Yes
 
Access to Moderated Support Forum
 
  Yes Yes
Extended Modelling Operations
 
  Yes Yes
Full Online Help   Yes Yes
       
Additional Functions   Crease All
Duplicate
Normalize Groups
Pipe Engineer
Reset Animation Positions
Scene Details
Shift Center on Selection
Weld to Range
Crease All
Duplicate
Normalize Groups
Pipe Engineer
Reset Animation Positions
Scene Details
Shift Center on Selection
Weld to Range
Auto Mirroring
Bridge Engineer
Butt Objects
Clone
Consolidate
Count Triangles
Create Face
Create Unique Names
Fill Untextured
Foundry
Merge Faces
Piper
Print Hierarchy
Show Untextured
Split Faces
Swap Texture Files
Update Material

 
Extensible with Third Party and User created Plug-Ins
 
    Yes
Scripting
 
    Yes
Boolean Operations
 
    Yes
Animation Operations
 
    Yes
Animation Timeline
 
    Yes
Named Animation Sequences
 
    Yes
NURBS Surfaces
 
    Yes
Terrain Building Tool
 
    Yes
Anti-Aliased rendering of Videos and Snapshots
 
    Yes
Export of a animations as a series of images allowing for the creation of animated GIFs using a third-party program
 
    Yes
Motion blur in recorded animations
    Yes
Photo-realistic Rendering3
 
    Yes
Radiosity Lighting3
    Yes
Atmospheric Effects3
    Yes
Additional raytracing material attributes3
    Yes
Refraction3
    Yes
Focal Blur3
    Yes
Train Simulator Functions   Train Simulator Wizard
 
Train Simulator Wizard
Train Simulator Engineer
Cab Engineer
Buffer Engineer
Handrail Engineer
Animate Rods/Pistons
Fit Boiler Curve
Trainz Attachment Points
 
       
 
3D Canvas Pro @ $69.95. Secure ordering is provided by swreg.org.
 
3D Canvas Plus @ $34.95. Secure ordering is provided by swreg.org.

3D Canvas 7 is a free upgrade for those who purchased March 19th, 2005 or later. If you purchased before that date or would like to upgrade from 3D Canvas Plus to 3D Canvas Pro 7.x, you can purchase an upgrade here.

Multi-User licenses for 3D Canvas Pro can be purchased here.

3D Canvas Pro can also be ordered through Register Now!

Entering License Codes

Once you have purchased 3D Canvas Plus or 3D Canvas Pro you will receive a License Code via Email.

To enter this License Code, run 3D Canvas, and select Enter License Code from the Help menu.
 

5star2000.gif (4114 bytes) 3D Canvas has been selected an Editors' Pick by ZDNet.
 


¹
Not all formats preserve all material/animation attributes on import/export. For more information see: 3D Canvas Import/Export Support
2 AutoCAD (dxf) files must be 3D polygonal models. Models made up of lines or solid body entities (ACIS and AME) will not be imported.
3 when rendering using the POV-Ray raytracing engine. Requires a free additional download.
 
   
 
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