3D Around the World
by Paula Sanders, http://perpetualvisions.com/

I have been working in computer graphics for about 20 years now. I am an artist and a reviewer of graphic software. As I have gotten older, I have found that there are some programs that I use the most. One of these is E-on Software’s Vue http://www.e-onsoftware.com. Vue is a 3D environment creation program. A 3D environment creation program is used to create all types of landscapes using terrains. These can be water, earth, etc. These can also be animated to create films. One can then place 3D or 2D (alpha plane) objects onto the terrain. It is really a lot of fun and is very exciting to do this. One does not have to know how to do 3D modeling. The program comes with all sorts of foliage, some objects, different materials to cover the terrains, atmospheres for the skies, etc. All of these can be modified. The program comes in different varieties from Vue 6 Easel for $89 to Vue 6 Infinite for $695. One can, also, download a free trial version of the different varieties of Vue. The main offices of E-on Software are located in France.

The above image was built from scratch in Vue 6 Infinite. I could have added the birds in Vue, which are pictures that I took of seagulls, but I added them in Photoshop.

Another program that I use in conjunction with Vue is a terrain generator. This can be used in conjunction with other 3D environment building software programs. I used version 1 of this program, and now version 2 is in the pre-release stage. I have been using it for a number of months and have been thrilled and amazed at what it can do. It is called GeoControl http://www.cajomi.de/GeoControl/geocontrol.htm and is developed by (cajomi) Johannes Rosenberg. This program is from Germany. Using the tools in this program, one creates the terrains in intricate details that can be brought into the environment generating programs. It might sound complicated, and there is a learning curve for all of this, but it is fantastic what one can do. Cajomi has created many tutorials to show how his amazing program works.

There are a number of websites that one can use to buy articles for Vue. These can consist of foliage, atmospheres, terrains, materials, trees, houses, etc. Cornucopia3d.com is part of E-on software. My favorite is a new website out of Utah, USA called Geekatplay http://www.geekatplay.com/. They have fantastic tutorials for all levels of Vue as well as wonderful models that one can purchase. All their tutorials are free, and their models are very reasonably prices (actually inexpensive.)

Above are examples of models and the atmosphere from some of the MegaPack and Building Construction Kit from Geekatplay. For reviews of some of these programs, go to the Table of Contents page on my website: http://www.perpetualvisions.com/tocs/toc-articles.htm.

You can probably see why I have called this article “3D from Around the World”. But learning from around the world doesn’t stop. There are wonderful forums on websites that will help beginners learn the program as well as give more advanced people the ability to share ideas. I would like to start a group in Tulsa dealing with Vue and corollary programs. If you are interested, send me an e-mail at: paulajane@cox.net.