Pangolin Beyond Info Thread

[gabrielefx]

any news about Beyond 2.0 and the FB3.net?

[norty303]

I had some comms with Bill just before Xmas and I asked him about FB3.net
He said it's coming but these things always take longer than anticipated with Beyond developments, etc. He did tell me the potential names for the product/s and that there may be versions to accomodate 2 and/or 3 FB3 devices.

I also asked him about the divergent lenses he demoed earlier this year and they are available now at $100 a piece or a set of 6 for $500. They're working on a site/page for them at the moment so its a bit more visible.

He also told me about something very cool (on the safety front) that they've just been granted a patent for that will be part of Beyond in the future. I'm not sure just how much of our comms should be considered 'seekritt', so I won't say any more, but you should be able to dig it up with a decent patent search. I couldn't work it out anyway

[Prohias]

[QUOTE=wondertwnz;217748]Got an answer, They only way currently to assign a cue to multiple zones is by editing each cue separately WOW this is going to take a while.

There is an easy way if ALL cues assigned to one zone should also go to another zone:
In Projection Zone setup, select zone and then Advanced tab. Add new zones to "Also output to"

[White-Light]

Prohias what you're saying is correct. I posted it above and then removed it because it wasn't in the current release but Bill (Pangolin) did give the OK now to publish the info.

[andyh]

Is there a comprehensive manual available for Beyond 3D? I have the quick start guide but am struggling with it.

[masterpj]

Is there a comprehensive manual available for Beyond 3D? I have the quick start guide but am struggling with it.

I could extend it at some point. Could you tell me where you are struggling?

Best regards,

Pieterjan

[andyh]

Hi Pieterjan and thank you for responding.
I have never used any 3D modelling software before, it is 100% new to me.
So i am struggling from the very beginning.

Andy.

[ProfessorBeatz]

I have a couple of questions about Beyond.

The first one is "how did I do this"?

It is an animation created from within "Beyond". I am new to animation & I have no idea what option(s) I selected to create this. I had two objects, a "stick figure" and a "palm tree". somehow they dissolve into just a thread. It is much like pulling a stray thread on a sweater and the whole thing unraveling. I have not been able reproduce it.

The second question is for anyone using Beyond who is not new to lasers/animation/3D. I've got a lot of questions about using the program. Perhaps someone could provide some pointers.

[andyh]

Further to my quest for help with BEYOND 3D -
How do the 3D features in LD2000 compare to that of BEYOND? If at all similar, would LD2000 3D instructions help me with BEYOND 3D??
And if so, from where could i find such instructions?
(i see from the previous post belonging to ProfessorBeatz, I am not the only one in need of guidance.)

[ProfessorBeatz]

With regard to documentation, I basically asked Pangolin the same question "is there documentation for existing products that would help me understand Beyond?". I was told that the Quickshow documentation was the closest thing to Beyond documentation at the moment (and that LD2000 doc. would not help). Of course, QS does not have the 3D components. It's designed to be accessible to the casual user, not as a "chain saw" for the power user (i.e. Beyond).

[andyh]

-> ProfessorBeatz...
Well that's a shame and also very unhelpful of them.
I find it rather annoying that, despite what an excellent product it (BEYOND) is, they (Pangolin) are unable to provide any support but were more than happy to take my money.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how good the software is, if you can't use it you might as well have not bothered!
Maybe someone from Pangolin will pick up on this thread and be able to provide some help..........................

[Jem]

Andy

Have you been in touch with MasterPJ? I believe he wrote the help file for Beyond 3D.

He's brilliant with the 3D section of Beyond and has created some fabulous content, he's quite young (compared to me ), but is extremely helpful if you ask him nicely. It may be also helpful if you come up with a few specific questions to ask him rather than just saying 'can you help me with Beyond 3D'.

Cheers

Jem

P.S. Just noticed that Pieter has already commented earlier in the thread...

[White-Light]

-> ProfessorBeatz...
Well that's a shame and also very unhelpful of them.
I find it rather annoying that, despite what an excellent product it (BEYOND) is, they (Pangolin) are unable to provide any support but were more than happy to take my money.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how good the software is, if you can't use it you might as well have not bothered!
Maybe someone from Pangolin will pick up on this thread and be able to provide some help..........................

Its not them not supporting you. Its about the fact that the help documents form a part of Beyond 2.0 (I don' think there were any released with version 1.0) and Beyond 2.0 isn't on release yet. I'm guessing because the help files may contain help for features not yet released, that's why the help documents aren't currently generally available as they don't won't competitors to get wind of what their new features are pre-release.

No doubt when Beyond 2.0 is released and you get the FREE upgrade, then you'll get all the new documentation as well.

In the meantime as Jem said, you could talk to PJ who's somewhat of a 3D expert.

[andyh]

Its not them not supporting you. Its about the fact that the help documents form a part of Beyond 2.0 (I don' think there were any released with version 1.0) and Beyond 2.0 isn't on release yet. I'm guessing because the help files may contain help for features not yet released, that's why the help documents aren't currently generally available as they don't won't competitors to get wind of what their new features are pre-release.

No doubt when Beyond 2.0 is released and you get the FREE upgrade, then you'll get all the new documentation as well.

In the meantime as Jem said, you could talk to PJ who's somewhat of a 3D expert.

I have BEYOND (albeit v1.4) with 3D working - i have the FREE upgrade.

[White-Light]

My point is Andy, Beyond 2.0 isn't released hence the reason why the docs aren't in general circulation.

Beyond v.2.0 release version ie non beta build, will be the major free upgrade.

However, email Pangolin as per his post above and I'm sure you'll get what you're looking for, he's the CEO. How's that for service!

[andyh]

Andy and Beatz,

Please contact me directly by email and provide your serial number.

There is a new version of B available (to those who ask)...

You (Aaron MacDonald) provided me with a link to v1.40 only last week.
Unless there is a newer release which has help files relating to the 3D element, it's not going to help?

[White-Light]

Pangolin (no number "1" after the name) is Bill Benner, CEO of Pangolin.

I suspect Pangolin1 is Aaron although I've only ever dealt with Aaron under his non Pangolin name.

Also, the version number is not so important as the build number as there may be many builds within each version.

I normally don't confirm build numbers but as others have have posted this elsewhere on here today, the latest build is 425 to my knowledge.

[andyh]

Pangolin (no number "1" after the name) is Bill Benner, CEO of Pangolin.

I suspect Pangolin1 is Aaron although I've only ever dealt with Aaron under his non Pangolin name.

Also, the version number is not so important as the build number as there may be many builds within each version.

I normally don't confirm build numbers but as others have have posted this elsewhere on here today, the latest build is 425 to my knowledge.

Hi White-Light and thanks but 425 is what i am running.

[andyh]

I have replied to you via your email address on this site.
Thank you.
Andy

[allthatwhichis]

FYI, I am "Ole McDonald"... I have been providing build 399 as the latest build up until last Friday. The latest build I have seen is 424, but I try to stay a few builds back for stability sake.

[andyh]

FYI, I am "Ole McDonald"... I have been providing build 399 as the latest build up until last Friday. The latest build I have seen is 424, but I try to stay a few builds back for stability sake.

In that case, thank you.
You sent me a link on March 27 to v 1.40. I then downloaded and installed build 425 from the j*iv**g** site.
So it appears I am running the latest v.
This was a major update to the previous version I was running.
But my problem still remains - how to use the 3D......!!!!!

Andy

[Pangolin]

First let me say that 3D programs can be hard to grasp... Unlike QuickShow, it's not the kind of thing where you're going to stumble out of bed and just start using it.

Our program is like a cross between 3D Studio MAX and Cinema 4D -- closer to Cinema 4D, with some Maya thrown in. In addition to some workflow based on these programs, we've tried to craft B3D to be easier to use than any other 3D program. But still -- it's a 3D program, and I already said 3D programs are hard...

Bradfo69 (I think that's his handle) made a video of me demonstrating the overall BEYOND program, and in particular, B3D. If he can make his video available, then that will be helpful.

We do have some newer documentation in-house, but it's still under development. Brad's video is probably your best bet right now.

However, another great resource will be Peterjan, who also wrote the little help file you see that comes along with B3D. However, the help file assumes you're already familiar with 3D programs. (Frankly, all 3D program help files make this same assumption...)

We're also going to be producing an introductory video very soon.

Bill

PS: It's likely that a book on Cinema 4D or generalized 3D programs will help tremendously. I'll try to locate one or more, and then recommend them.

[Bradfo69]

I just saw this. Thank you Bill for noticing and remembering! Yes, I taped the majority of your excellent demo although I have to admit that by the time we got to the 3D stuff, I stopped recording as 1) My arm was getting tired from holding the camera and b) you prefaced that part by saying that one really needed to have some familiarity with 3D programs and, as I'm lucky to be able to draw a circle in Microsoft Paintbrush, figured it was a good time to grab a beverage and a bathroom break. Sorry guys!!!! (Hey, I'm honest.) I hope to get the video I do have uploaded somewhere shortly and will post a link. Is there still a 10 minute limit on Youtube? (May be time to learn about Vimeo or whatever it is.)

[andyh]

First let me say that 3D programs are hard to use. Sorry, they just are... Unlike QuickShow, it's not the kind of thing where you're going to stumble out of bed and just start using it.

Our program is like a cross between 3D Studio MAX and Cinema 4D -- closer to Cinema 4D, with some Maya thrown in. In addition to some workflow based on these programs, we've tried to craft B3D to be easier to use than any other 3D program. But still -- it's a 3D program, and I already said 3D programs are hard...

Bradfo69 (I think that's his handle) made a video of me demonstrating the overall BEYOND program, and in particular, B3D. If he can make his video available, then that will be helpful.

We do have some newer documentation in-house, but it's still under development. Brad's video is probably your best bet right now.

However, another great resource will be Peterjan, who also wrote the little help file you see that comes along with B3D. However, the help file assumes you're already familiar with 3D programs. (Frankly, all 3D program help files make this same assumption...)

Bill

PS: It's likely that a book on Cinema 4D or generalized 3D programs will help tremendously. I'll try to locate one or more, and then recommend them.

Hi Bill,
I appreciate that 3D programs are hard to use and, maybe for that very reason, it would be useful to have some basic help for those of us who have never touched one previously.
That being said, I am pleased to say I am beginning to make some inroads into Pieterjan's Quick Start Guide included in the BEYOND software. I shall continue in that direction but if you are able to suggest a book that would help, I would be extremely grateful.

[norty303]

Andy, I may have a book or 2 on an old copy of 3D Studio Max (2.5 or 3 I think) in the garage. It may give a basic understanding for you. If you want to pay the shipping, I can send them down to you (assuming that's Hampsheere, Blighty, and not Hampsheyre, USA!)
Maybe someone who knows about 3D can advise if these may be useful

edit: just checked, they're '3D Studio Max 2 Fundamentals' on Peterson/New Riders and '3D Studio Max R2.5 F/X and Design' on Coriolis/Creative Professionals Press

Let me know if you're interested