Attached Link: http://www.openfx.org/download/index.php

I found this at Computer Arts site and the following is the blurb about it. It can be obtained at the link. 8) Catlin OpenFX A massively powerful 3D rendering package with NURBS, kinematics-based animation, morphing and more. This powerful 3D modelling application was previously known as the commercial package SoftF/X. The author has decided to release the code under the terms of a GNU General Public Licence. It's a very tasty application and includes a full renderer and raytrace engine, NURBS support, kinematics-based animation, morphing, and an extensive plug-in API. It is a truly massive download, thankfully there are two smaller versions including a 'tiny' version which just contains the essential applications. You won't find a better 3D renderer unless you start making serious financial investments. Thank you Dr. Stuart Ferguson. Download size: 44, 21.7 or 4.9MB Runs on: Win95/98/NT/2000/XP Click here to go to download homepage

Sounds like a good find thanks.

20 mins at the helm....Not too shabby, similar to Rhino3D, simpler version. Headed straight for the modeling room, bunch of preset models, Only uses 1 format as far as I could tell(mfs)?, However it will export to standard formats. Have to spend a little more time with it. Thanks Cat!

thanks catlin!!! cant wait to try it out:)

Thank you Catlin!! A good find! Kath

ok, so what is a NURB?? LOL

From 3D Studio Max help file; NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) are a technique for modeling 3D curves and surfaces interactively. The term NURBS stands for Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines. Specifically: Non-Uniform means that the extent of a control vertex's influence can vary. This is useful when modeling irregular surfaces. Rational means that the equation used to represent the curve or surface is expressed as a ratio of two polynomials, rather than a single summed polynomial. The rational equation provides a better model of some important curves and surfaces, especially conic sections, cones, spheres, and so on. A B-spline (for basis spline) is a way to construct a curve that is interpolated between three or more points. LOL...you asked! Hope this is some help anyway. BTW, thanks Catlin!

Thanks Catlin, I bookmarked it for later, a 44mb download would be hours and I don't know if it even would dl correctly using dialup, server interrupts, etc. over that long a period...:(

Zhann, unless you have one of those download managers that allow you to resume downloads when the server that houses the software allows for download resuming. I use Download Accelerator Plus for such long downloads and download bits at a time over several days.

Hey, we're talking 26-30kps here...., can't wait till next week, I'm getting DSL through the phone company, then I'll see about dl it.

I never know which one i should download from.[UK-1][US-1][US-2]????? Does this make a difference?

Thanks catlin got full zip...1 minute 18 seconds.Now to see if I have a clue about it.

I have been checking every day at the Chapters bookstore frfor that issue of Comp Arts with the free Cinnema4D.I've been asking for issue 88. Is this correct.Seems they are only on issue48 and the previous one I got a copy of Realsoft 3D 4.5.

An amazing find, thanks Cat! AgentSmith

Issue 48 would be the CA specials/projects magazine - the main CA mag is at issue 88. Cool software Cat, be nice to see the native linux version come out :-)

Thanx Catlin :) sounds like a really cool app.

While we're at it, try 3Delight: http://www.3delight.com/ It's a Renderman-compliant renderer, but it seems to be worth it. I have it on my comp, but haven't found the time to install it and play with it. Geometry support: 3Delight supports a complete set of RenderMan geometry: subdivision surfaces, polygons, patches (B-spline, Bezier, Catmull-Rom and others), NURBS (with trim- curves), Curves (for Fur & Hair), quadrics and procedural geometry. It looks like it might support Poser hair. Catlin, it definitely supports Rhino models. And it's definitely worth the price: "3Delight is available free of charge (with no feature restrictions) for non-commercial applications, as well as for limited scale commercial applications." :-)

Attached Link: http://www.computerarts.co.uk/downloads/

If you go to this link at Computer Arts web site they have 3 pages of links to free and demo stuff. Everything they put up there is top notch. They also have a link to Flaming Pear plugins for PhotShop, which, BTW, has a new set of plugins called creative pack. AgentSmith that ones for you. 8) So go have a look and see what else takes your fancy. They even have apps for being creative with web page design. 8) Catlin

thanks..I know I have a software dependency when I'm downloading 44-megabyte files in the middle of a Hurricane (just the edge, thank heavens..;) I too have been less-than-patiently waiting for the Cinema 4d issue to show up, no soap as of th 16th..:|

at least I know what the mag cover looks like, now. thanks.

pakled, well then we're your co-depndents, I have so much free software now, I can't rememeber what they are just looking at the zips, now when I download it goes in a folder with all the info I can get on what it does. I still have zips that I haven't a clue as to what the software does exactly, so I never install it...;P

Many thanks, Catlin!

My review so far:
Downloaded it, tried it... Drew an outline... Couldn't quite connect those itty-bitty 1 pixel vertices, and there didn't seem to be a snap-to type thing (which would make that easier)... Errr... I seem to have the same feeling I get modeling with Anim8or after being exposed to Wings (la-la-la connect the dots. la-la-la...) LOL. It's not quite the most intuitive thing to use, but at least it's free. I suppose online documentation could help (maybe I'm missing something), since there might be some information that's missing from the pared down versions of the program.

However, with Wings3D (a freeware subdivision modeler) it doesn't take me very long to get somewhere. A few clicks and such, and a cube starts evolving into something. Dunno if it's me, but I find it much more intuitive.

Now if only there were a free nurbs program that I could figure out (some appear capable of producing really nifty geometry.) Perhaps with an obvious and easy way to connect the vertices, and maybe have the 3D equivalent of vector control handles on them for shaping the splines...

Ahh well, I'll stick with sub-d modeling for now since I've kinda got a knack for it.