Amapi feels really intuitive, once you get the hang of the two-handed system. Version 5 has pretty good introductory tutorials which are included both in the manual and also as html help files. This image shows my first take at the suitcase tutorial. The shape was constructed using the poly modeler, not NURBS. Extraordinarly easy extrusions and chamfers (I'd never done either one before this). Exported to Carrara as a RayDream 5 file, which opens without further conversion in the Vertex Modeler. Good thing, that. The creases came over correctly but were not showing up in the render. A "smooth-all" followed by a "crease less-than" did the trick. The best thing about learning Amapi? You'll realize early gains in productivity and enthusiasm. SMcQ

Very nice. I like how the suit case has a couble of inside bevels and such..makes it look a bit more interesting than just a plain cookie tin :) I am curious to see how amapi fits in with Carrara. Everyone on the list makes it sound like its a done deal that carrara and amapi will remain seperate...is that a for sure thing? If Amapi is extra I dont know if I would pay more than 100 bucks for it. I know it has a large retail price tag, but it doesnt offer anything more than what max, maya, or lightwave have to offer from what I understand. I would like to try amapi out but I guess I'll wait to see how it fits into Carrara's future.

Brent, $100 is what I paid for Version 5 at the MacWorld show last week for Version 5. Carrara users may see a price in that vicinity, I would guess. It would be in the interest of Eovia and TGS to get Amapi in the hands of everyone with Carrara. (If they give Version 5 away for free, I'm out a C-note for being an early adopter!) What the TGS people told me directly at the show was that Carrara 2 and Amapi 6 would be interoperable, meaning direct access to the features of each from inside the other. Amapi 6 is targeted for release this spring. I was told that there will not likely be a Carrara-3/Amapi-7, but rather a complete merger of the two technologies. The usual version cycle would put a "CarrarAmapi" release in the first or second quarter of 2002, I would guess. Amapi 6 will feature quick low poly modeling for web formats, including their own web candidate (which has physics and particles). TGS wants Amapi and Amapi-Carrara to be full service 3D apps, with complete vertical integration. Shockwave 3D, Viewpoint, Cult3D and others will rely on partnerships with high-end 3D software companies for some time to come. Amapi-Carrara will be an affordable full solution, offering several web 3D publishing options. The suitcase is a low-poly model, by the way. It would make a very light Metastream file size, looking just about the way the render looks. SMcQ

Well its good to read some solid news..I didnt see any of this @ the web site. Thats the nice thing about trade shows and talking to the owners of course :) If Amapi is capable of low poly obj then I hope that AC will start putting in support of .X with animation. I own and play with 3drad and a few other game engines. All engines appear to only support .3ds or .X animated models and textures. If AC could let us have full .X support than I would bet it could be worth 1,000's of sales to amatuer game designers and mod authors. Lots of this target audiance would love to have legitimate software but the price of MAX makes it hard for that to happen. With .X it would be fairly easy to get the models into the engine.