Firefox 4: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly (Read more...)

The first betas of Firefox 4 are out, and for your knowledge, here are the good, bad or ugly features listed.

The bad:

• Not too bad things; they can be deactivated or will be fixed through time.
  
• Lots of extensions won't work until they're adapted by the developers.
  
• The interface changes will confuse you for some time and don't represent better productivity for you in most cases.

The good:

• Lots of new features that have to do with 3D on the web and CSS3 and HTML5, and prepare your browser for the next semantic web, prettier websites and 3D on all pages that want it.
  
• The Add-on manager opens in a full new tab -instead of a tiny window.
  
• Full support for HTML5 to build real-time interactive web apps
  
• Web developers can use Websockets for a low complexity, low latency, bidirectional communications API.
  
• support for new CSS3 features, making websites display faster and look prettier
  
• new SDK that helps developers create Firefox add-ons more easily.
  
• When there is a crash in Flash, Silverlight or Quicktime, Firefox will stop them but don't crash the browser.
  
• Full WebGL support is included but disabled by default at this time. Expect X3D and WebGL solutions more often used in websites.
  
• Native support for the HD HTML5 WebM video format.

The ugly:

• What is the reason to put everything inside a button when people tend to buy the biggest monitor they can? Why confuse us all with constant interface changes?
  
• Tabs are now on top of the address bar by default.
  
• Big orange button on the top left corner. This button opens a drop-down menu that replaces the standard toolbar menus.
  
• The Bookmarks bar is now also a button placed on the right side of the interface.

If you want to test Firefox 4, get it here: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/beta/

Renderosity COUPON: 30% Off min. spent $15 (Read more...)

Coupon for Renderosity Marketplace

 

Code: SeptemberSavings2010

Deadline: Through end of this month (or this week, that is the same)

Discount: 30% Off

Applies if you spend at least: $15

Suggestions:

Metal Generation
Themed Poser DAZ
$ 5.62
By hiperia3d, emmaalvarez
 

Beach Scenes Creator
Themed Poser DAZ
$ 9.37
By hiperia3d, emmaalvarez
 

Livin' In A Mushroom
Themed 2D Poser DAZ
$ 13.35
By hiperia3d, emmaalvarez
 

Ace Of The Skies
Poser DAZ Themed
$ 13.35
By hiperia3d

Renderosity COUPON 28% Off Just TODAY! (Read more...)

Coupon for Renderosity Marketplace

Code:092310B28P28

Deadline: JUST TODAY!!!

Discount: 28% Off

Applies if you spend at least: $28

Suggestion: These 3 products ----

Metal Generation
Themed Poser DAZ
$ 7.50
By hiperia3d, emmaalvarez 


Beach Scenes Creator
Themed Poser DAZ
$ 9.37
By hiperia3d, emmaalvarez 
 

Livin' In A Mushroom
Themed 2D Poser DAZ
$ 13.35
By hiperia3d, emmaalvarez

Renderosity COUPON 18% Off Only TODAY! (Read more...)

Coupon for Renderosity Marketplace

Code: 092210B18P18

Deadline: TODAY!

Discount: 18% Off

Applies if you spend at least: $18

Get GroBoto For $19 (Read more...)

GroBoto  is a very unusal 3D application that you can use for different things:

- create fractal-like render images in seconds

- make animation videos with morphing and much more

- export models as OBJ

Here’s a video showing the morphing capabilities and animation of GroBoto.

The upcoming version 3 of GroBoto improves the OBJ export so you can build shapes using GroBoto as some kind of boolean modeler. Then the program joins the meshes into a single mesh, so there are no overlapping polygons, no unseen polygons. Meshes produced this way are ideal for organic modeling in Zbrush or Sculptris, Hexagon, Modo, or any other 3D app, and are composed of quads. Also works great for rendering and for mechanical modeling.

Here’s the big deal to save bucks, that I did and I invite you to do the same:

1- Get GroBoto from Content Paradise for $19.

2- Get the update from version 2 to 3 at Braid Art Labs for $30. Use coupon code 3UP72344 and save some bucks too.

That is $49. Or if you already had GroBoto 2, $30.

Another option is to buy GroBoto 2 plus the update to version 3 directly at Braid Art Labs for just $45, using code V4528327.

If you prefer to wait and get GroBoto 3 when it reaches its final version, its price will be from 90 to 100 dollars, which is still very affordable. Updates for version 2 registered users will also be available, but maybe they will be more than the $30 it costs now.

You can start using the beta version of version 3 right now. You will in fact - as I'm doing- enjoy version 3 beta until the final version is released, and then you just download the update of the software. That way you can use all the features of the next version now.

I will continue telling you more about GroBoto, because this unusual application can make a lot of things. Stay tuned!

Blender 3D Book Updated (Read more...)

The book "Blender 2.49 3D Architecture, Buildings, and Scenery", by Allan Brito, is a new updated version of the book of almost same title, that is adapted to the changes of the application in the present.

If you are looking for a book about Blender to build architecture, furniture, or anything, that provides a good intro to achieve a good level on modeling, this is your book.

Read the review here, and get the book at Packt Publishing.

Shadows For X3D And VRML (Read more...)

View3DScene 3.6.0 was released recently and this means a great improvement in the scope of X3D and viewers for this format.

This is because View3DScene has added Shadow Maps extensions to X3D, and improvements to the browser itself, like:

* X3DLightNode.shadows field, to easily activate shadows on everything.

* Apperance.receiveShadows field, to easily activate shadows on specific shadow receivers.

* Easy menu items to control shadow maps, see the new View -> Shadow Maps -> ... submenu.

* New ProjectedTextureCoordinate node for projective texturing. Can project a texture also from a viewpoint now.

* Extensions to control head-bobbing in VRML/X3D worlds.

These improvements were already part of Kambi VRML Game Engine, but now they are also available for content creators using View3DScene as standalone browser.

The most usual criticism towards VRML and X3D browsers was the lack of good shading comparable to other technologies. View3DScene and Kambi VRML Game Engine show that these graphics features and others can be incorporated to VRML and X3D.

Also, the slides from the Web3D 2010 talk about Shadow Maps (and the paper) are available now.

http://vrmlengine.sourceforge.net/

3D Hobby Magazine Releases Their New Issue (Read more...)

3D Hobby Magazine, the 3D magazine that features masters of 3D and is a must-read for anyone that likes 3D modeling, releases their new issue.

Want to improve your 3D skills? Want to achieve more in less time? You really can with 3D Hobby Magazine.

3D Hobby Magazine is packed full of fantastic articles, renders and quality insider info about the world we all love - 3D!

This is what you’ll find in this new issue:

- Over 85 Pages of Quality Articles and Stunning Images

- PINUPS! - The most Glamorous 3D Girls on the web. (As request by our readers) (Mild artistic nudity may not be suitable for all ages)

- A FREE Dynamic Dress (worth $10)

- Great information about Genetica, the best all round texture solution available today.

- Our usual unique tip's to boost your 3D skills

- Sharing our reader's artwork including this fantastic Augustcover!

Purchase the magazine and join in the discussions on the forum at

http://www.3dhobbymag.com