In Carrara we have a wonderful resource in having an SDK .I have been thinking about trying to start somekind of SDK User Group where we all share ideas tips, code and resources in developing new plugins. My hope is that it would become a place where we could jointly work on plugins for the Carrara commuinty, responding to new ideas, requests and challenges. The overall objective is that through a group effort we all become better programmers, with a deeper insight into 3D graphics and make effective use of the SDK. Issues of copyright etc can be discussed later but I would really appreciate any thoughts ideas or comments.

ayodejiosokoya, One of the things I've been meaning to do is have a close look at the Carrara SDK; along with Poser Python and a detailed look at .obj,.3ds formats and the old PS SDK. Time and modivation seem to keep getting in the way, but I'm interested in looking at Carrara's SDK at least enough to be able to write rudimentry plugins. If you could get something started I'd definately take a look at it and time permitting, participate. As to copyrights there is fair use for educational purposes but hopefully the idea is to learn enough to be able to develop new plugins rather than duplicate what already exists. Definately a good Idea! - TJ

I'd definately check it out, I'm itching to learn how to write plugins for Carrara. That's a great idea, I hope it works! kaom

One thing that bothers me is a fragmentation of the community. It's great there are so much interest in the product and all but is it really required to have N forums to discuss it?

Carrara alone has a forum at...
2 at yahoogroups
3DXtract
VisualDS
Renderosity
3DCommune
(did I miss anyone?)
Do we need more?

Carrara has an SDK list on Yahoo which is the definitive place if you want information as eovia personel contribute here. There is also another group in yahoo for the discussion of new plugin ideas etc but it's sort of languishing through inactivity. There is also a start up SDK forum at 3DXtract. So do we need yet another place? How many do I need to sift through in order to get what I need?

[Whining off]

Message edited on: 05/20/2004 13:07

"Carrara has an SDK list on Yahoo" Please, a link? I don't see fragmentation as a problem just yet- It's true that the Carrara Forum is smaller than it should be, but I think that in some cases can be an advantage as people are more likely to post and threads don't become buried so easily. It could well be that an SDK discussion group might fit right in with Carrara/Raydream forum; if someone has enough interest to start discussions of that nature here, that should be encouraged. If the Idea did take off branching out would be a long ways down the road and could only happen if there was enough interest in it to support another forum. Poser Community for example branched off into Poser Tech and Poser Python as well as the main Poser forum only because there was enough interest to do so. - TJ

Attached Link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/carraraSDK/

SDk yahoogroup link attached.

I did not know a carrara SDK forum existed! I agree about the fragmentation of the Carrara community. It would be great to have a central place to meet and discuss all things Carrara. I shall definately sign up to the Yahoo SDK List. I think one thing that needs to be done is to at make the existing groups known so that users know where to go to get what they need. I think Eovia should consider making a site that is central to the community so that all of our efforts both technical and artistic are not dispersed across the internet. One of the reasons I posted this was that I am interested in learning about the SDK but it does seem a bit daunting. I am sure there are many others who feel exactly the same as I do. Mabey at some point when we know more we could start a simple group project utilising one of the existing forums so that we can all learn together. btw you did miss Carrarastudio.net ;).

Attached Link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/carrarastudiopugins/

I forgot to mention the other plugin list that is there to discuss ideas and wants for future plugins, but as I said it's been a ghost town in there. I think Eovia makes note of the SDK forum when you start inquiring about the SDK from their web site. I could be wrong though. It's been a while since I dl'ed the SDK. There's a lot that is exposed to the SDK plugin maker and there are many areas that the plugin maker can play around in. But initial ramp up to getting something made is pretty steep. I've only hacked into making 'scene' commands and they aren't perfect. Doc says one thing, I try it, Later I find out that it's not doable. Doc says "ZOT!" a lot. Meaning they didn't finish that area up. Making a plugin is not that easy and lately I'm finding, it's a lot of effort but not always that fun.

Zekaric, Thanks! I'll go look. ayodejiosokoya, The more I yhink about it the more I seem to be of two minds on the issue: The first thing is I think they're written the SDK for MSVC which has a steep learning curve. I still have problems with Microsoft C/C++ after 5 years of using MSCV 6 and that's only the first hurdle. It might take a willingness to discuss such things as C code or other programming languages as it relates to the Carrara plugin interface which would more than likely be considered outside the scope of the Carrara Forum as it stands. That's the second hurdle. The third hurdle is understanding the SDK which shouldn't be as hard once the first two are overcome, but largely the community would have to get behind something like this if we are to discuss it here, and truthfully unless the community in large already understands development/programming to some degree it might not happen. Personally I'd like to see it, but I think that eventually if it did happen it would be logically be a new forum. I recall that we already have a development forum of some kind so if it's no-go here it might happen there. Anyrate it's something to chew over in regards to if, how, where and when. - TJ

I'm getting used to MSVC. It does have some oddly placed things but all in all, it is probably the best dev environment that I've ever used. I'm a 'C' coder by trade and if you look at the source of my plugin's, a lot looks like plain 'C' because that's the way I code. C++ is only there for the COM part of the plugin. Otherwise I don't really use it. I would say the MSVC and C++ end of things is easier than the SDK end of things. The yahoo SDK forum may forgive the new coder's questions, Everyone has to start somewhere and eagerness to make new plugins is probably greatly appreaciated. :) But whatever. I'll probalby end up perusing whatever is going to be done.

whimper You don't like my site Zek!? :( Actually my intent was to make an all in one site for Carrara, that has everything the user could need in one place...a "Stratacafe" for Carrara. But if you don't like my site should I take it down!? ;) Brian brian@vizualds.com http://www.vizualds.com

I didn't say that. I'm just saying there's too many sites for Carrara discussions. A lot of effort to inspect all of them.

Amen to that. I chase all over the place. Luckily most of them are relatively low traffic. I have asked some "stupid coding questions" on the SDK list, and haven't been laughed off it yet, but I agree that ideally those questions don't belong there. Google can answer a LOT of questions. The dynamic help in the new .NET C++ is awesome too. There seems to be a real burst of interest in the SDK lately- hopefully we'll see some cool new stuff in a couple of months! Markd

Yeah I agree...I was mostly kidding. I may close down my forums. Mostly mine are there to support the site and ask questions, as persay a discussion. The one good thing about having a few sites is that there are numerous different contests to enter! Brian brian@vizualds.com http://www.vizualds.com

Also, realistically if you look at other programs support/communities there are THOUSANDS, like take a look at those available for Maya for instance. Its just the progression of the software. Brian brian@vizualds.com http://www.vizualds.com

If we had thousands, I think we would have 1 site per user. ;-) markd

I'm not putting up a forum on my website! Never!

;)

(next task, put forum up on web site.)

It is definately a challenging subject to work on. Anothter one of my hopes is that through our interest in the SDK we will inspire the Carrara Dev team to complete the documentation and to really put some effort into empowering the plugin developer. I will try and give the SDK a go over the summer (am really busy with studies) and will contribute what I can to the Dev community.

I guess what's stopped me in the past wasn't the learning curve so much as what do you with all this knowledge once you get it...and how much time do you want to put into it? I have always liked the idea of format conversion; although it presents a lot of headaches especially if the specification for the format you are working with is poorly written. So far I haven't tried to work anything into an SDK; I guess this is more of the type of thing I need to be more familiar with by parusing the SDK and trying things out - but it's an example of the types of questions I'm asking myself right now I don't expect an answer here.