benn@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP (Eldarion ap Aragorn) (11/24/85)
[] Query: has anyone used this new scratchpad-CAD/CAM program? Would anyone be willing to compile stories and give a review? I've heard just amazing and overwhelming stories, but I'd like it on the authority of the net. -- Thomas Cox ...ihnp4!gargoyle!sphinx!benn
kalpin@utecfc.UUCP (Jordan E Kalpin) (12/22/85)
My copy of Easy 3-D just arrived in the mail a few days ago. For those of you
who are not familiar with the ads for this program I will describe what the
program does.
The program is not a drafting package, nor do the advertisements make it out
to be one. What you can do on this program in draw various shapes in two
dimension, and the program will display the solid object in 3-D. You might
be asking yourself how the program translates 2-D into 3-D. It use a somewhat
clever method which much resembles the way a lathe or jigsaw operates. You
basically draw a cross-section of the object and the program rotates it about
a central axis. Imagine taking a bowl and cutting out a cross section (it
would resemble the letter U). If this is spun about an axis through the bottom
of the U, you would get a bowl shaped solid. Once your objects are defined,
you can rotate them about any axis, any number of degrees. This feature allows
you to view the object from any view. Furthermore, you can control the
placement of lighting on the object in order to get a shading effect which
enhances the 3-D view. Many type of solid objects can be combined and moved
around on the screen at the same time. If you wish, many object can be
combined to form a single larger object. This allows the formation of not
symmetrical displays. The "Jigsaw" feature allows you to cut out blocks of
any shape. Blocks can be stretched or squeezed to meet a certain size
requirement.
If you need to draw 3-D images for diagrams, this program might be for you.
It doesn't do everything, but it's great fun to watch and play with.
Jordan Kalpin
Mechanical Engineering
University of Toronto
Start a movement...Eat a prune...