Cubic Panorama Help...

[MRM2811]

Hey all...

I do hope I have put this question in the right topic, my apologies if I have not.

I have been trying to work on a project using the cubic plugin, Unfortunately I have had a few problems. Maybe someone can help me?

I am using a program called sweethome 3d to create my scene's for my game. The program allows me to export the creation as a 3D OBJ-wavefront file. Now because the program won't allow me to to make POV images a -90 or +90 degree view above of below the camera (Meaning the roof or floor) I can't create all six sides of the inner cube.

I need to know if there is a free program that will allow me to import the OBJ file and create the images I need for a cubic panorama game.

OR....

Another idea I had is if it possible to make a similar effect as the cubic, let me explain the concept first.

With the cubic plugin your able to view the room 360 degrees, but is it possible to have the POV simply scan left or right to view each wall (except the wall behind you) with no need to look up or down and lock off the point where that is the edge of the back wall.. I know I can simply create still shots of each and creat different frames left or right of the central viewpoint.. But I would just prefer to make something smoother.

Does any of this make sense??

[Imari]

Vue d'Esprit and Bryce will both make cubic panos and I believe there are very low cost or free versions of each available. Check out e-onsoftware.com and daz3d.com.

If you create square black "blanks" for the top and bottom pieces of the cubic pano, then you'll be able to see the "blank" top and bottom, which is almost certainly going to be very disconcerting to your player. Also, then you've pretty much got the same thing as the cylindrical pano.

[MRM2811]

Thanks Imari,

I have already tested Vue and get error messages when trying to import my OBJ file saying that the file is unreadable. I'll will take a look at Bryce and see if that works otherwise it looks like I am back to using stills for the moments, much appreciated for the help.

[Imari]

The OBJ format is an old one and is pretty standardized, so I'm surprised that Vue would not import it. Have you tried importing the file into any other program to see if it works? It is possible that your file is corrupt. I'd try again to export your scene and then see if it imports.

Also, once in a while, I've found that the MTL file for any given format can be the impediment.

Both Vue and Bryce are both good programs, though. Best of luck.

[MRM2811]

Yep.

I tried it with blender, But I can't make sense of how to use the program... The file imports fine into blender. Still, looks like I am back to still shots.

[Zenoc2]

Blender relies rather heavily on keyboard shortcuts- if you ever decide to go back to it, check out some tutorials on it first. They make it usable... but it still prefer SU for its simplicity.