I would like to put text in some of my scenes. What would be the best way? I'm thinking of ceating it in a 3d program (I have tSp) and them importing it as a 3ds file. But what about in a paint program like Paint Shop Pro or PhotoImpact ...would that be easier. How is everyone else doing it? Any tutorials around on this? Thanks, Chris

Just create your text in a drawing program or bitmap editor. If in a bitmap editor, add any softening/blurring you may want to, give gentle edges, and save as a bitmap. Now go into Vue, create a terrain, go into terrain editor, set the terrain size to the same size as your bitmap (not essential), reset the terrain to zero altitude, and use the load picture button. Now move the clip slider up a bit. click ok, and there's your 3d text.

Thank you very much...that helps alot. Chris

That actually might be a better way of doing it, actually, since Vue deals with rendering it's own stuff slightly faster it seems. But the Terrain Editor can create some jaggedy edges, and I personally find it alot simpler to just use a 3D program and make the text there, and then import it as .3ds. I haven' seen any tutorials for text specifically, though, but it's the same thing as importing any other 3D object. But if you can, keep your poly count as low as possible. text usually uses a huge amount of polygons, in order to be smooth.

Thanks again. I'll try it both ways. Are there any opinions for a good 3d programs for this? Chris

Well, I personally use Rhino, which is excellent for this. I think all the upper end 3D modeling programs have text capabilities, as well. Amapi makes good text too, and you can get the 6.0 trial version of it on the Eovia site at www.eovia.com. It's time-limited, but I think it allows for saving/exporting. Aside from the free version of Amapi 4.15 in PC Format magazine a year ago, the only other free 3D program with text I've seen is Open FX, from http://openfx.org (without the "www.") But at the moment, that site is down. :( However, Open FX is completely freeware, and really quite good for all kinds of modeling. There was also a freeware program made specifically for text, and for Bryce users, which exports 3DS files, but I can't remeber what it's called right now. You might want to ask them in the Bryce forum about how to find that one.

There was also a freeware program made specifically for text, and for Bryce users, which exports 3DS files, but I can't remeber what it's called right now. I think it's called Elefont, or something like that. Amapi 4.15 is available here for free (as well as eye candy 3) http://www.bakhter.com/ Rich

Elefont (freeware) can be found here. Armanisoft.ch Also, check SAMS3D for a free 3D font, in the Freebies section. SAMS3D.com

Yes, of coures, Elefont! I thought I would never forget that kind of a name. I get it, too--- ELEvated Font.... Chris, if there's some specific text in some specific font you'd like, just ask and I can make it for you easily enough and email it to you this weekend, if you'd like.

Attached Link: http://www.blender.nl

Chris, Tell me the text you like to import in Vue 2, 3 or 4 ( tell me which version, that's important) and I will send it to you in an appropriate file. Also tell me the style you want, the kind (from Aardvark to Zurich Calligraphic, whatever) For Vue 4, you also can download the alphabet from my web site http://www.multimania.com/arte/objects/objects3.html. Need something quickly, just ask :-) Guitta

Thank you all for your help and offers. I will check out the font programs and let you know. Thanks again for the offers, Chris BTW, I did check out EleFont, but it would not import the dxf file into Vue 4.