I have DL'd Elefont for as a text tool with Vue. I have DL'd Crossroads 3D to convert Elefont's text to Vue. After them I decided to go for Wings 3D. None of these seem to do their job: Elefont exports .dxf-files Vue can't read and Crossaroads does the converting so that the result reminds me of abstract art instead of letters (I've tried to export as .3ds, .obj and .dxf, none reminds me of text in Vue). Wings 3D might do the trick, but by the way it's interface works, I'd say it was coded in the late 80's. I have 3dsmax, but using that to type text is like buying a Humvee for your wife's shopping car -efficient but perhaps slightly exaggerated. I have Bryce 5 in it's box, but I don't feel like installing 100-meg text converter to work with Elefont. Are there any simple "write TTF-font text in here and export it"-kind of programs out there? I fell in love with Elefont, but I always seem to fall in love with something that isn't quite working for me. Recommends? -Hilt

Of course, Vue can read and import DXF files:-) Guitta

Yes, but the problem, what program to to make .dxf-files, remains;) Here's an example of the splendid co-operation between Elefont and Crossroads 3D, imported to Vue as Crossroad's .dxf. I am most probably doing something wrong here, as I found no notice whatsoever about that kind of results...

-Hilt
...and the old wise man said, "Hmmph".

If you like, you can send me the Elefont.dxf file and I will convert it to an importable file:-) gebe@renderosity.com

Got a text-thingie working pretty smoothly, but naturally not with the program I'd prefer to use.. How do you convert Elefont's files to Vue? Via Bryce or some other higher end program?

I use Deepexploration (www.righthemisphere.com). It converts most of 3d and 2d files, but it is quite expensive. Guitta

You can always import black and white picture representations of text into the terrain editor.

..but that's not even an option for me:D

Hi Hilt, I think if you import them into Bryce and then export it from Bryce and into Vue it should work... I think I tried this and it worked.. . I know what you mean and I can't understand why Vue odesn't see the dxf generated by Elefont... It's possible that if you open it in crossroads and save in crossroads dxf, it will work in Vue...

Elefont does not output the proper .dxf file format, but something that was specific to Bryce it seems like. It's not just Vue that has a problem with Elefont's .dxf format. Poser and Lightwave both import .dxf files, but I couldn't get them to import the Elefont .dxf either. When I used Elefont the last time, I had to convert it with Bryce that I still have on the drive before I switched to Vue. It still has a couple uses like that. Not sure what program besides Bryce will convert them.

I though there were several free 3ds alphabets in freestuff area (here or 3Dcommune). I remeber seeing several fonts. Each letter is a seperate object. It would be a bit of a pain to align everything if you have a lot of text, but should work. Peggy

Attached Link: http://hometown.aol.com/roch222/

Here is the link. She had several other fonts available then the one shown on her web site. E-mail her and she can most likely send them. Peggy

An old version of Truespace (Version 3, and now also Version 4, I think) is available for free in many locations. It will make text from any font, and save the file in the .cob format which can easily be imported into Vue. You must triangulate your font phrase before saving and importing into Vue, however. (The Truespace copy will let you triangulate the font.) This is what is wrong with the .dxf file shown above - it is improperly triangulated. Guitta's Deep Exploration fixes the poor triangulations when she converts it. The simple little Wings3D file conversion program will also let you fix this triangulation mess, and its a lot cheaper ($39USD)than Deep Exploration. The Truespace program will let you apply various textures, bevel the edges of the fonts, and so forth before you save them, and then import them into Vue. I believe a copy of Version 3 is posted for downloading at www.caligari.com. However, if anyone has difficulty locating the free copies of Truespace, please let me know and I'll post it (them) for downloading from my web site.

Attached Link: http://bakhter.com/html/main/amapi4.html

If you're trying to get text into Vue, download the freebie version of Amapi 4.15 and use that. It's been a couple of years since I used this version but I do recall using it for a logo that I rendered in Vue 3 and it worked well. Although to be honest, if you have the monster that is 3DS you may as well get your money's worth out of it.

If all else fails, send me your text and I'll produce a .3ds file out of Amapi 7 for you. (Just discovered that Amapi 7 exports text as a group. When imported into Vue wach letter can be selected and textured individually. Neat.)

Sorry, that should be "each" letter. Also bigger version of the graphic is available in the gallery. Apologies to french speakers if I've made a mistake with the language.

I have Bryce in it's box, but I honestly dont think I should use a 500kb program and then convert it with 100meg program. doesn't make much sense to me:) I was a little fed up using 3dsmax as a tex tool, I already have M$ Word which is 80meg text tool. A friend of mine pointed me towards a script for 3dsmax which basically does texting automatically -hope the next version of it writes the text itself too... .hilt

There is a free version of Carrara 1 with a CG magazine out these days. Go to a store and get a copy. I have Carrara and I can tell you, you should not miss the occasion. Carrara has a nice text tool (in addition to tons of other features) but it can also convert your Elephont files if you prefer them. - Orio

Carrara 1.1 is on digit's cover disk this month. It's the full unrestricted version as well.

Sentinal I think we are talking of the same thing :-)

I've found that the easier way is to make a black and white text image in any paint program and import it into the terrain editor. Reset the terrain and then import the picture at 100 percent. Clip the lower edge a little so that the base doesn't show up. You can then give it any material and resize, reshape to your heart's content. Don't need to mess with DXF's with no polygon info, etc. I used to use 3ds max for this, but this is SO much easier, IMHO. Dr. Nash

Orio: I'm sure we are but you didn't mention the magazines title :)