Caligari TrueSpace 6.6

Note: The above pictures are screenshots of the workspace of the studies.

The program selected to learn about was Caligari TrueSpace 6.6. It is a unique program that combines 3-D modeling and rendering. I downloaded the trial version and shown in the links listed below and used the help of tutorials and experimentation to navigate throughout the program. Once you learn the basic principles the program is relatively easy to use on the surface but can become very complicated when camera angles and animation and layers are added. Unfortunantly, be forewarned that with the trial version you cannot save and are limited to certain tools as well as the file is not completely supported so not all the links are found in the program which causes it to crash and without save you have to start over each time. I learned in using the program there are pre-fabricated objects and scenes that could be manipulated to show different times and lightings of day. Grids could be used to manipulate the objects and replicate them. The human forms could be changed to adapt to the features of a person and mimic human expression such as if the icon happy was clicked the face object would grin. The human object could also mimic the features of a person in a photograph but could also be distorted horribly to the point that they are unrecognizable. This was the case in the scene where the figure looks alien like but the original is to the left of it. The spheres could be manipulated to have different textures and optical illusions. Paths could be added to make the objects move and collide into each other. All these components work together to create 3-D animation and essentially make up a fantasy world that mimics reality but where constraints and how you program it govern it rather than everyday life and physics.

Links:
http://www.render-lab.com/Getting_around_1.htm#1.%20Help%20is%20available!
Tutorial on how to use the basic functions and is very helpful.

http://www.spacekdet.com/tutorials/
Collection of many tutorials including video and step by step guides on how to create renderings and 3-D scenes.

http://www.caligari.com/download/trials.asp?Cate=DTrials
Download the trial version. This requires anywhere from half an hour to an hour to download.
Must include email address as they send you the code to enter to allow you to begin downloading.

http://www.caligari.com/Products/trueSpace/tS7/brochure/intro.asp?Cate=BIntro
Caligari website