RTG for Imagine?

[Ral-Clan]

I am learning Imagine 5 on Amiga.  I read somewhere that Imagine can be made to work under RTG screenmodes - i.e. the render output and maybe even the layout screens.

Does anyone know if it's possible to do this, and if so, how?  I find the workflow (with all the ditors) and layout a little "different" than most other 3d modelling applications for the Amiga.

[vxm]

As far as I can remember:

The CGFX version allows Imagine to open its screen on a RTG (see the first half of the preferences screen). Although it offers the ability to display the textures rendered in 24 bits, it has the disadvantage of losing the screen refreshes.

 The preview still works in grayscale. Preview in 16 million colors is possible, but via a file to be displayed. ARexx is responsible for these jobs and errors excepted, Aminet has these scripts.

NB: Just in case, sorry for my english, it is not my everyday language.

[Ral-Clan]

As far as I can remember:

The CGFX version allows Imagine to open its screen on a RTG (see the first half of the preferences screen). Although it offers the ability to display the textures rendered in 24 bits, it has the disadvantage of losing the screen refreshes.

 The preview still works in grayscale. Preview in 16 million colors is possible, but via a file to be displayed. ARexx is responsible for these jobs and errors excepted, Aminet has these scripts.

NB: Just in case, sorry for my english, it is not my everyday language.

Hmmm...I didn't realise there was a seperate CGFX version - I wonder which version I have, or how I can even tell....?

I can't find the Preferences screen.  That may sound ridiculous, but it doesn't seem to be in a very "obvious" location - as far as I can recall.  But I will look for it again.

I do have fairly decent knowledge of Lightwave and Alladin4d.  I just find Imagine a little hard to get a grip on - I'm sure once I get it, it will seem obvious in retrospect.

[Ral-Clan]

Okay, I've found the preferences screen, but it's unlike any other Amiga preferences screen I've seen.  For instance, you cannot select standard Amiga screenmodes the way one would normally in any other intuition type screenmode selection window....it gives you a whole bunch of three character "screenmodes" you can choose from and assembles difference preferences in a text string at the bottom.  Which you can then save.  It's very different.

I really don't understand how it is intended to work.  I'll experiment and see what I can discover.

[vxm]

Again from memory, support CGFX started with v5.0 and the PowerPC by the latest versions (I think that the v5.19 was the last).

That said, as with Turbo Silver, there is also a reference manual in pdf format which is very clear. The Imagine's mailing list should also help.

When you start the software and if you have not change a certain option in the preference screen, you should see the screen project. Select the menu "Project -> About" to know the version.

[Ral-Clan]

Thanks.

I am running version 5, but not sure what sub-version (i.e. 5.19?).  I will check.
in the preferences screen I am given the choice of ECS or AGA screenmodes but no RTG modes.

I will investigate more.  

The output I've seen from Imagine looks like very good quality.  It would be a pity if I cannot get it to run in RTG mode.

[mbrantley]

I've gotten it to work with AOS4 and large screen modes on my Sam440 -- everything except the animation preview, that is. I'll get back to you a little later, as I'm tied up working and am away from the computers right now. I'll also find you a link to so video tutorials if nobody beats me to it.

[vxm]

The support of CGFX starts a/c of Imagine v5.1.

 There are two ways to configure it:
 Via its Preferences screen or,
 Via a text editor (the config file is in ASCII format).

 In both cases, it is necessary to change the following options:

SMOD 0 or 1 or 2 or 3 (line 55, 0 = 640 1 = 800, 2 = 3 = 1024 and 1280)
 USCG T                        (line 101)
 ASPX 1.000                 (line 103)
 ASPY 1.000                 (line 104)

 NB: This allows you to work on a screen CGFX
 but viewing or previewing images will always be made ​​by the Amiga or graphics cards directly supported by Imagine (Firecracker, OpalVision or Retina).

[Ral-Clan]

The support of CGFX starts a/c of Imagine v5.1.

 There are two ways to configure it:
 Via its Preferences screen or,
 Via a text editor (the config file is in ASCII format).

 In both cases, it is necessary to change the following options:

SMOD 0 or 1 or 2 or 3 (line 55, 0 = 640 1 = 800, 2 = 3 = 1024 and 1280)
 USCG T                        (line 101)
 ASPX 1.000                 (line 103)
 ASPY 1.000                 (line 104)

 NB: This allows you to work on a screen CGFX
 but viewing or previewing images will always be made ​​by the Amiga or graphics cards directly supported by Imagine (Firecracker, OpalVision or Retina).

Thanks, I never would have known those settings without help.

So it seems only the editor screens are retargetable.  But the output (render) screen will be limited to native chipset modes?

When you say "a screen CGFX" do you mean it can ONLY run under Cybergrahpix software, or will it also run under Picasso96?

[560SL]

I have the 5.14 version which runs nicely on my A3000 with CGFX/CybervisionPPC. It also supports PPC for some cycle- intensive operations.

[slayer]

Yes, Imagine is a great 3D modeller

You need to also get hold of the book "Understanding Imagine 2.0" by Steve Worley (great read)

One day I'll try and get this to run on the X1000 but starting to program is soon becoming my sole focus in the immediate future

[560SL]

You need to also get hold of the book "Understanding Imagine 2.0" by Steve Worley (great read)

Been looking for that book with no success for a long time. I think I managed to find it as text- file ... but cant quite remember...

Otherwise, the Imagine tutorials in CU Amiga was a good introduction to understanding things the Imagine way. I believe I have the 3.0- tutorials as html somewhere.

[mbrantley]

Good news... here is a scanned PDF of "Understanding Imagine 2.0," available for download at imagine3d.org (a site focused on the PC versions of Imagine)...

http://www.imagine3d.org/modules/wfdownloads/singlefile.php?cid=1&lid=252

Also very worthwhile is this 1994 video tutorial, "Unlocking Imagine 3.0"...

http://www.imagine3d.org/modules/wfdownloads/singlefile.php?cid=9&lid=240

Imagine 5.19 with a 2006 date on it was the last available version of Imagine for Amiga, so far as I know. It seems to be RTG aware, at least to a point. I have my preferences set as mentioned in the earlier post.

[vxm]

"So it seems only the editor screens are retargetable."
Exactly.


"But the output (render) screen will be limited to native chipset modes?"
Compatible Amiga chipset and cards mentioned previously.
 
However, it is possible to bypass the problem via the use of an ARexx script : ShowQrnd.irx. Multiview is the default viewer but it can be changed).

 When you want a quickrender, use the menu ARexx/ShowQrnd instead of Project/QuickRender.


"When you say "a screen CGFX" do you mean it can ONLY run under Cybergrahpix software, or will it also run under Picasso96?"
It will run as P96 is (nearly) compatible CGFX (the reverse is not true). Most of the CGFX compatible programs  will work with P96.

[Ral-Clan]

Thanks everyone!  This thread has been very informative.  I've actually already been ploughing through "Understanding Imagine 2.0" (pdf) for the past few months.  I found it on an Amiga manuals website.

http://www.bombjack.org/commodore/amiga-books.htm