Aladdin4D
| Developer(s) | DiscreetFX LLC & A-Eon Technology Ltd |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 6.0.0.30 (Internal Beta Release) / January 30th, 2014 |
| Operating system | AmigaOS, Mac OS X, iPad, Linux, AROS, MorphOS, Windows |
| Type | 3D computer graphics |
| License | Commercial proprietary software |
| Website |
www |
Aladdin4D is a software program for modeling and rendering three-dimensional graphics and animations, currently running on AmigaOS and Mac OS X platforms. A-Eon Technology Ltd owns the rights and develops current and future versions of Aladdin4D for AmigaOS, MorphOS & AROS. All other platforms including OS X, iOS, Windows & Linux are developed by DiscreetFX.
Features
This software was one of the few 3D applications for the Amiga platform, in the sense that it uses an OS-compliant GUI, it supports RTG displays, it utilizes the AmigaGuide Help system and features an Arexx port for scripting. Concerning the 3D features of the application:
- Infinite layering of surfaces: A surface of an object may have a virtually infinite amount of textures, shaders etc. layered on it.
- Spline modelling tool.
- Importing of most postscript files, making the creation of logos easier.
- Unlimited number of working layers: multiple working areas containing only a portion of the scene, easing out the management and pace of objects during the creation of animation.
- Gaseous volumetrics with adjustable mass.
- Built-in particle system to simulate various effects like fireworks.
- Morphing capabilities in the animation system.
- Spline animation controls.
Also, Aladdin4D has rendering features like motion blur, multiple pass supersampling, lens flares, 32-bit color support and a highly optimized 68k rendering engine.
Format support
Aladdin4D supports the following 3D formats: Aladdin 4D, Lightwave3D, GEO, EPS, DEM, Draw4D-Pro and Draw4D, 3D Studio for either loading or loading and saving. Image Formats supported for loading and saving: IFF/ILBM (palette mapped and 24-bit formats), JPEG and Video Toaster Framestores. Aladdin 4D was one of the first rendering/animation packages to support video editing/post production hardware on any computer platform (NewTek's Video Toaster/Flyer).
Interoperability
Aladdin 4D 5.x supports exchange of data with ImageFX, Amiga Lightwave 3D/Video Toaster, World Construction Set and all programs that support Nova Design's "Magic" protocol for buffer sharing.
Compatibility
Aladdin 4D 5.x versions run on any Amiga platform or an emulated one, like Amiga Forever, UAE (including WinUAE, E-UAE, P-UAE and the more modern and updated FS-UAE), the Draco is also supported. Aladdin4D runs on systems that use MorphOS, for example Pegasos version I & II, PowerMac G5, Mac Mini G4, PowerMac G4, iBook G4 & PowerBook G4. Aladdin4D runs on new hardware that MorphOS supports (Acube's SAM 460ex). The fastest current environment for running Aladdin4D 5.x is an 18 Core Xenon Processor utilizing an AmigaOS Virtual Machine on OS X, Linux or Windows.
History
Aladdin4D was originally created by Greg Gorby at Adspec Programming in Ohio, and was an updated version of an earlier 3D program called Draw4D Pro, which integrated elements of desktop publishing into its environment. The 3D program was then acquired and updated by Nova Design, Inc. Nova Design added many modern features and made it easier to use. It was one of the first 3D animation programs on any platform to employ volumetrics, which were primarily used to create volumetric gas. However, unlike the majority of Amiga 3D programs, it used scanline rendering instead of the more photo-realistic ray tracing technique. Scanline rendering is similar to the rendering technique used in most Pixar movies.
On December 17, 2007 Nova Design sold all inventory, source code and intellectual property rights to DiscreetFX LLC.[1] DiscreetFX is updating and releasing a new 6.0 version for Mac OS X, iPad, Android & Linux.
On December 12th, 2015 DiscreetFX sold the AmigaOS source code and development rights for Aladdin4D on AmigaOS, MorphOS & AROS platforms. DiscreetFX retains the rights to other non-Amiga platforms.
Future
Aladdin4D is marketed as a low-cost application which may not have all the modern features that similar programs do, but enough to get someone introduced to the 3D graphics world and create a portfolio. . Aladdin4D's easy to use interface is not overwhelming to a beginner 3D artist/animator. It allows an entrance into the creative world of designing and rendering 3D stills and animations. Aladdin4D 6.0 is going through some changes. Because of lack of documentation, commenting and bugs the original software update to version 6.0 of the source code tree has been put on indefinite hold and the coder of that version has voluntarily banished himself forever to a cold isolated wasteland almost devoid of human life. The new development team has returned to the well commented and fully featured 5.x source code and started updating it to a new more modern 6.0 code-base. This should help expedite a newer and more stable 6.0 version of Aladdin4D.
See also
References
- 2 This application is only developed for Windows "Under protest"
- ↑ "DiscreetFX completes acquisition of Aladdin4D". Nova Design Inc. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
External links
- Aladdin 4D - 3D Animation Packages website.
- CU Amiga Magazine November 1997 Magazine cover created with Aladdin 4D.
- A-EON Technology acquires the AmigaOS, MorphOS & AROS versions of Aladdin4D. Official Press Release Link.
- Amiga/MorphOS/AROS versions of Aladdin4D sold to A-Eon Technology Ltd. News site link reporting the acquisition.
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