Truevision3D

Truevision3D Engine
Developer(s) Truevision3D, LLC.
Stable release
6.3 / May 5, 2007
Preview release
6.5 / September 2, 2007
Operating system Microsoft Windows
Type 3D Engine
License $150 USD for a single-title license, $500 USD for a multiple-title license
Website Truevision3D.com

Truevision3D is a commercial computer software 3D engine first created by Sylvain Dupont in 1999.

The Truevision3D (commonly abbreviated as TV3D) engine is written in Visual Basic 6 and C++ and layered on top of the Microsoft DirectX API, currently supporting DirectX version 8. The engine is accessible from a number of programming languages including C++, C#, Delphi and Visual Basic (6 and .NET). The current version of Truevision is 6.3. Version 6.5, currently in public prerelease and very stable, includes significant updates to the engine, including DirectX 9 and shader support, as well as being rewritten in 100% C++. There are no plans to support DirectX 10 or XNA until a new version is worked on (TV7).

Known Issues

Versions 6.2 and 6.3 have issues with C++ support, it is not possible for example to make it work in certain compilers. Version 6.5 works with any language that can utilize COM, Managed libraries, or static libs.

There is also a known issue between the version 6.3 on Windows Vista since it needs a dll from DirectX 8 which Vista does not have and it is contractually illegal to simply add it. Microsoft has been contacted regarding this issue but has not demonstrated in their forums any will to include the dll.

Features

Version 6.5 is a complete development solution which includes 3D, Media, and Network Engines.

Included with the SDK are multiple tools to help speed up development: a shader editor, model viewer, exporting plugins for various modeling software (3D Studio Max, Maya, and Milkshape currently) and particle effects editor. Because version TV3D 6.5 no longer supports outdated mesh formats, many converters are also available. An official world or map editor is not currently planned because it hinders the end-user, since there is no way one editor can be used for every project this engine is used for. Furthermore, TV3D is a 3D engine, not a game engine, and an official editor would limit it too much. However, there are some user-created map editors available.

TrueVision3D is free to use as long as the user doesn't mind a logo in the corner of the rendering viewport. To remove the logo and publish a commercial project, a license needs to be acquired. Currently, the cost is $150 for single title license, $500 for multi-title license. A source license can be purchased for an as yet undisclosed price.

Languages Supported

3D Engine

Features of SDK version 6.5 only

Rendering System

HLSL Shader Support

Landscape and Terrain System

Static Mesh Support

Animated Meshes (Actors)

Material and Lighting System

Particle Systems

Minimesh System

GPGPU (General Processing on GPU)

Integrated Newton Physics Engine

Built-in Special Effects and Controls

Additional Features

API Standards

Media Engine

Only present in 6.2 and 6.3 versions

Audio Features

Video Features

Network Engine

Only present in final 6.5 version

Connection Support

Networking Features

About Truevision3D

Truevision3D began as a hobby project back in January 1999. Sylvain Dupont created a 3D engine in Visual Basic 6 with DirectX 7 & 8. With the later addition of Arli Mujkic and John Hart, Truevision3D, LLC. was formed to make TV3D a commercial product. Today, has grown into a global company, supporting thousands of clients and community users.

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