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November 11th, 2011

3DCrafter 9.1.1 Build 1256 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 9.1.1

3DCrafter 9 is a free upgrade for anyone who purchased either 3DCrafter Pro, 3DCrafter Plus, 3DCrafter Trainworks, or a version upgrade July 1st, 2010 or later. If you are entitled to a free upgrade, your license code for 3DCrafter 8 will also work with 3DCrafter 9. If you purchased before that date, or would like to upgrade from 3DCrafter Plus to 3DCrafter Pro 9.x, you can purchase an upgrade here for $34.95.

This version can be installed alongside 3DCrafter 8.

What's New in 3DCrafter 9.1
 

• New View Options
  
  Each scene view now provides quick access to common view options via auto-expanding option buttons. Immediate previews of the options are applied to the scene via hover-over previews.
  
   
• View Options Saved
  
  Options for a particular view are now saved to allow swapping back and forth between view modes without losing view position, orientation, grid mode, or view mode.
  
   
• Auto-Aligning Edit Control
  
  The Edit Control can now be aligned to the current selection, to reduce the amount of mouse movement required to complete common tasks.
  
   
• Enhanced Selection Box
  
  The selection box that outlines shapes, now includes a color-coded direction indicator to show what direction each of the Edit Control functions will affect.
  
   
• In-View Quick Access Operation Buttons
  
  Quick access to operations can now be displayed in-view.
  
   
• Improved World and Component Coordinate Modes
  
  These modes now take into consideration the current viewpoint to simplify the use of the Edit Control.
  
   
• Context Sensitive Navigation
  
  When a shape is selected, rotation will be around the selected shape. If a shape is selected, zooming (including mouse-wheel zooming) will be directed towards the selection.
  
   
• Compact Controls
  
  The Navigation and Edit controls can now be displayed in a more compact form, to provide more viewable space.
  
   
• Redesigned Group/Pivot Point Indicator
  
  The Group/Pivot Point indicator has been redesigned to be more visible and now displays x, y and z to give a better indication of direction.
  
   
• New Link Child Groups Option
  
  A new option is available to link the movement of child groups to their parents.
   

June 10th, 2011

3DCrafter 9 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 9

3DCrafter 9 is a free upgrade for anyone who purchased either 3DCrafter Pro, 3DCrafter Plus, 3DCrafter Trainworks, or a version upgrade July 1st, 2010 or later. If you are entitled to a free upgrade, your license code for 3DCrafter 8 will also work with 3DCrafter 9. If you purchased before that date, or would like to upgrade from 3DCrafter Plus to 3DCrafter Pro 9.x, you can purchase an upgrade here for $34.95.

This version can be installed alongside 3DCrafter 8.

What's New in 3DCrafter 9

• New Auto-UnWrap Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  This new plug-in uses Iso-charts to automatically unfold a shape to create a texture suitable for painting.
  
   
• New UV Editor (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  UV Editing becomes faster and easier with the new 3DCrafter UV Editor. This new plug-in handles manual unwrapping, mapping to existing textures as well as texture remapping.
  
   
• Faster View Arrangement Selection
  
  View arrangements can now be chosen directly from the main toolbar to permit rapid switching between view arrangements.
  
   
• Working View Arrangements Saved
  
  View arrangement details are saved/restored when changing view arrangements.
  
   
• Model Specific View Arrangements
  
  View arrangement details, including divider locations, view mode, grid style and camera positions are now saved with each model.
  
   
• Faster UV Operations (3DCrafter Plus/Pro Feature)
  
  The performance of the UV related operations has been improved to support more complex models.
  
   
• UV Operation Context Menus (3DCrafter Plus/Pro Feature)
  
  Context menus have been added for the UV related operations.
  
   
• Improved Coordinate Selection for UV Operations (3DCrafter Plus/Pro Feature)
  
  The coordinate selection features for the UnWrap, UV Map and UV Remap have been enhanced to permit easier selection of multiple coordinates. All of the standard 3DCrafter face, edge and point selection features are now supported for UV points.
  
   
• Improved UV Operation Coordinate Manipulation (3DCrafter Plus/Pro Feature)
  
  The UnWrap, UV Map and UV Remap operations have been enhanced to support coordinate shifting and scaling using the edit control.
  
   
• Wrap Mode and Wrap Orientation available in UV Operations (3DCrafter Plus/Pro Feature)

  The UVMap and UnWrap operations now allow the wrap mode, and the wrap orientation to be changed without leaving the operation.

   
• Resizable UV Operation Windows (3DCrafter Plus/Pro Feature)
  
  The UnWrap, UV Map and UV Remap operation windows can now be resized.
  
   
• Support for Unwrapping to larger textures (3DCrafter Plus/Pro Feature)
  
  The UnWrap operation now unwraps to textures up to 2048 x 2048, regardless of Windows Desktop resolution.
  
   
• Enhanced Select Edge Loop Function
  
  The Select Edge Loop function has been upgraded to select edge arcs as well as entire loops.
  
   
• Support for Edge Creasing
  
  The Crease operation has been upgraded to support creasing of edges.
  
   
• New Optimize Operation Tolerances
  
  The Optimize Operation now supports the entry of tolerances for point, normal and texture coordinate
  optimization. It also now optimizes using point, normal and texture coordinate blending.
  
   
• Enhanced Material Operation
  
  The Material operation now supports application of Cylindrical and Spherical wraps to face selections.
  
   
• Enhanced "Select by Material" Function
  
  The "Select my Material" function has been enhanced to permit adding to selections.

In addition to these new features, the freeware version of 3DCrafter now includes the Bridge, UV Map, and Weld operations. It also includes the Create Triangle From Points, and Merge Faces plug-ins.

May 8th, 2011

3DCrafter 8.2.7 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 8.2

February 24th, 2011

3DCrafter 8.2.4 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 8.2

All import formats are now included in the freeware version of 3DCrafter.
 

February 13th, 2011

3DCrafter 8.2.1 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 8.2

This version includes French translations of most tutorials. Thanks to Dominique Tarel for providing the translations.
 

January 21st, 2011

Amabilis' 3D modeling program is now as known as "3DCrafter™".
 

July 1st, 2010

3DCrafter 8.2 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 8.2

What's New in 3DCrafter 8.2

• Improved Constraining
  
  Coordinates can now be constrained using world coordinates.
  
   
• New Oriented Editing Option
  
  Holding down the R key while faces are selected in the standard modelling mode now restricts tool and operation orientations to directly along the X, Y and Z axes.
  
   
• Icons in Menus
  
  Menus now include icons to aid in finding functions.

Please note that it is necessary to uninstall any previous version of 3DCrafter 8 before installing this version.
 

April 28th, 2010

3DCrafter 8.1.7 Build 1418 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 8.1.7

This is a maintenance release, with no new functions.

Please note that it is necessary to uninstall any previous version of 3DCrafter 8 before installing this version.
 

April 21st, 2010

3DCrafter 8.1.6 Build 1397 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 8.1.6

This is a maintenance release, with no new functions.

Please note that it is necessary to uninstall any previous version of 3DCrafter 8 before installing this version.
 

February 22nd, 2010

3DCrafter 8.1.3 Build 1340 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 8.1.3

This version completes the re-implementation of 3DCrafter 7 features previously excluded from 3DCrafter 8.
 

February 1st, 2010

3DCrafter 8.1 Build 1267 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 8.1

This version includes enhancements to the Rail Simulator exporter.
 

January 13th, 2010

3DCrafter 8.1 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 8.1

This version can be installed alongside 3DCrafter 7.
 

What's New in 3DCrafter 8.1

• Completely Revised User Interface
  
  3DCrafter' user interface has been fully revised.
  
   
• New Integrated Tutorials
  
  Tutorials are now available directly on the Properties & Information Panel
  
   
• Improved Docking and Pinning
  
  The Construction and Properties & Information panels have been improved to provide better docking/undocking and pinning/unpinning.
  
   
• Resizable Undocked Panels
  
  Undocked panels can now be resized.
  
   
• Expandable Docked Panels
  
  Docked panels can now be expanded in size.
  
   
• New Component Properties Shortcuts
  
  The properties of components can now be reached by double-clicking.
  
   
• Improved Bone Skinning
  
  Parameters for bones can now be adjusted while a skeleton is not relaxed.

September 5th, 2009

Updated help for version 8 of 3DCrafter Plus, 3DCrafter Trainworks, and 3DCrafter Pro can now be downloaded via the Help menu.

This update includes a 3DCrafter 8 Quick Start Guide for users familiar with 3DCrafter 7. It also includes information on updating user-written scripts and plug-ins for 3DCrafter 8, as well as updated scripting documentation.

August 1st, 2009

3DCrafter 8.0.0.1 is now available for download.

This version can be installed along side 3DCrafter 7.

What's New in 3DCrafter 8.0

• Enhanced Component Selecting
  
  It is now possible to have an arbitrary selection of scene components. It is no longer necessary to select an entire group, or entire hierarchy.
  
   
• Point, Edge and Face Selection Across Multiple Shapes
  
  It is now possible to select points, edges and faces across multiple shapes.
  
   
• Improved Undo/Redo
  
  Undo and Redo now work on changes made to the scene by scripts and plug-ins.
  
   
• Increased Plug-in Capabilities
  
  Plug-ins can now work on bones, lights, animation cameras, and groups
  
   
• Selectable Groups
  
  Groups now have a representation within the scene that can be selected.
  
   
• New Properties Panel
  
  Properties, including the hierarchy, are now located on a panel separate from the construction panel. This panel provides a quicker way to the properties of a shape. It also allows for the hierarchy to be fully visible while adding shapes to a scene.
  
   
• New Selection Keyboard Shortcuts
  
  New keyboard commands are available for selecting groups, and hierarchies.
  
   
• Un-dockable Panels
  
  The Construction and Properties panels can now be undocked. This allows for panels to be moved to a separate monitor in a dual-monitor situation.
  
   
• Un-pinnable Panels
  
  The construction and properties panels can now be unpinned so that they automatically slide away when not in use. This provides more modelling space.
  
   
• Improved Rectangle Selection Tool
  
  The Rectangle Selection Tool (formerly the Group Selection Tool) now can be used to select shapes, lights and cameras as well as points, edges and faces. Selection performance has also been improved considerably.
  
   
• Improved Outline Mode
  
  The outline mode now more clearly displays individual faces.
  
   
• View-Specific Draw Modes
  
  Draw modes can now be applied to individual views rather than to all views. For example, a perspective view could be rendered in outline mode, while an orthographic view could be rendered in wireframe.
  
   
• View-Specific Grid Modes
  
  Grid modes can now be applied to individual views rather than to all views. For example, the grid for a perspective view could be solid, while the grid for an orthographic view could be rendered in wireframe.
  
   
• Shape-Specific Draw Modes
  
  Individual shapes now can be drawn in a mode independent of the view display mode. For example, a shape can be drawn in wireframe when all other shapes in the view are being rendered flat.
  
   
• Display as Box Draw Mode
  
  Individual shapes can be drawn as simple bounding boxes in order to speed display times.
  
   
• Draw Points Mode
  
  The points that make up shapes can be drawn regardless of the shape's current display mode.
  
   
• Draw Normals
  
  Normals (creasing angles) can be drawn for shapes.
  
   
• Render Double-Sided
  
  A new Double-Sided option is available for materials. When applied to a shape or faces, the shape or faces will be rendered two-sided.
  
   
• Draw Translucent
  
  Individual shapes can be rendered translucent.
  
   
• Improved shape Based Scripting Interface
  
  The scripting interface has been enhanced to be truly shape-based, permitting comparison of shape to shape, such as "shape1 is shape2".
  
   
• Improved Selection Highlighting
  
  Highlighted selections are now more visible and less obtrusive.
  
   
• Text auto-selection
  
  Text in entry boxes is now automatically selected when the cursor enters the entry box. This eliminates the need to select and delete the existing text before typing new text.
  
   
• Selection Details Panel
  
  The details of the current selection is displayed on the Selection Details Panel.
  
   
• Default Component Scripts
  
  Components now have default scripts that can be simply modified.
  
   
• Render Texture Alpha as Transparency
  
  A new material option allows for any texture alpha of any level to be rendered as transparent. This allows more efficient texture transparency.
  
   
• Support for the Direct3D Alpha Test
  
  The Direct3D Alpha Test is now a material attribute that can be modified to give finer control over the rendering of alpha within textures.
  
   
• Custom Texture Alpha Channel Usage
  
  The primary texture's alpha channel can now be ignored, used as a bump map, specular map, environment map, or as a translucency map.
  
   
• Faster Undo/Redo Performance
  
  Performance of Undo and Redo has been dramatically improved.
  
   
• Improved Cut/Copy/Paste Performance
  
  Performance of Cut, Copy and Paste has been improved.
  
   
• Arbitrary Selection Export
  
  An arbitrary selection can now be exported. In previous versions, only the full scene or a hierarchy could be exported.
  
   
• Enhanced Bridge Operation
  
  The Bridge Operation can now bridge between to separate shapes.
  
   
• Enhanced Weld and Weld-To Operations
  
  The Weld and Weld-To operations now are capable of welding between separate shapes.
  
   
• Improved Texture Application
  
  Textures now automatically orient themselves when applied to a selection of faces.
  
   
• Texture Application Preview
  
  Texture application can now be previewed prior to applying the texture. Precise changes to the texture application direction and orientation can be made before any changes are made to the shape, eliminating the need for re-mapping or reapplication.
  
   
• Improved UV Mapping
  
  While using the Unwrap, ReMap and UVMap operations, multiple points can now be selected and moved.

July 20th, 2009

3DCrafter 8.0 is now available for download.

September 16th, 2008

The 3DCrafter discussion forums are now available to all users of 3DCrafter. Click here to access the forums.
 

December 26th, 2007

3DCrafter 7.1.1.2 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 7.1.1.2

What's New in 3DCrafter 7.1.1.2

• Default Scene Background Color
  
  A default background color for scenes can now be selected.
  
   
• Library Background Colors
  
  Background colors can now be set for shape, material and texture libraries.
  
   
• Enhanced Scene Details Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro/Plus Feature)
  
  The Scene Details plug-in now displays additional scene information.
  
   
• Improved Optimize Operation (3DCrafter Pro/Plus Feature)
  
  The Optimize operation now corrects more geometry problems.
  
   
• Downloadable Extras (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Additional shape libraries, sample models, scripts and plug-ins are now available for download from the Help menu.
   

What's New in 3DCrafter 7.1.1.2 for Train Simulators
 

• Updated Train Simulator Wizard (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  The Train Simulator Wizard now prepares and exports models to Rail Simulator format.
  
   
• New Trainz Railroad Simulator Export (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  3DCrafter now exports to Trainz Railroad Simulator format.
  
   
• New Rail3D Export (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  3DCrafter now exports to Rail3D stock, scenery and signal formats.
  
   
• New BVE Train Simulator Export (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  3DCrafter now exports to BVE Train Simulator format.
  
   
• Improved MSTS Animation Export (3DCrafter Pro/3DCrafter Plus Feature)
  
  Animation of root groups can now be exported.
  
   
• Improved MSTS Material Export (3DCrafter Pro/3DCrafter Plus Feature)
  
  It is now possible to set all material attributes on a per face basis.
  
   
• Improved Support for Detailed Models in MSTS (3DCrafter Pro/3DCrafter Plus Feature)
  
  Models with large numbers of faces and points can now be exported to the MSTS format.
  
   
• Improved Support for Rail Simulator Materials (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  3DCrafter now exports secondary textures for Rail Simulator materials that require
  more than one texture.
   

Please note that beginning with 3DCrafter 7.1.1.1 train related features are not enabled by default. To enable these features select Options... from the Tools menu and click the Misc. tab.

December 6th, 2007

3DCrafter 7.1 is now available for download: Download 3DCrafter 7.1

This version of 3DCrafter integrates many plug-ins provided by Paul Gausden.

What's New in 3DCrafter 7.1

• New Show Only Function
  
  This right-click function allows you to hide every scene shape except those currently selected.
  
   
• Improved Texture Cropping
  
  The texture cropping window now automatically adjusts to show more texture detail.
  
   
• New Piper Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Used to create bending and twisting pipes from a base section of pipe.
  
   
• New Bridge Engineer Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Automates the building of bridges.
  
   
• New Foundry Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Quickly creates common structural elements, such as I-Beams.
  
   
• New Butt shapes Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Precisely butts two shapes together.
  
   
• New Print Hierarchy Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Used to print the hierarchy of a scene.
  
   
• New Swap Texture Files Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Used to replace a texture a model uses with a new texture.
  
   
• New Count Triangles Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Counts the number of triangles an shape or hierarchy uses.
  
   
• New Split Faces Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)

  Moves the selected faces to a new shape.
  
   

• Updated Pipe Builder Plug-in (3DCrafter Plus/Pro Feature)
  
  Now called Pipe Engineer, this new version includes new shape attributes for the created pipe.
  
   
• Updated Count Untextured Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Now called Show Untextured, this new version includes additional details to help in finding untextured shapes and faces.
   

What's New in 3DCrafter 7.1 for Train Simulators

• New Train Simulator Engineer Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Automatically generates wheels, chassis and bogies.
  
   
• New Cab Engineer Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Automates the building of selected parts of locomotives.
  
   
• New Handrail Engineer Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Automates the building of train handrails.
  
   
• New Buffer Engineer Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Automates the building of train buffers.
   

• New Fit Boiler Curve Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Adjusts the base of an shape to fit a boiler shape.
  
   
• New Animate Rods/Pistons Plug-in (3DCrafter Pro Feature)
  
  Automatically generates animations for train wheel links, connecting rods and piston shapes.
   

3DCrafter is selected an Editors' Pick by ZDNet.