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 Swift
3D v2.0
The Interface
The striking feature about Swift 3D v2.0 is the interface. The
interface is divided into several sections such as camera positions,
3d model, modifying, timeline, lighting, and a few more:
[ the swift 3d v2.0
interface ]
A common problem many
users have with the original Swift 3D was its cluttered interface
with less room to create and edit 3D models. In Swift 3D v2.0 that
problem is augmented with the extra inclusion of a secondary camera
mode which can be found on the right in the above image. While work
area is limited, it will not hinder any serious use of the program.
I find that the objects on stage scale automatically depending upon
how much workable area is available. If you keep your desktop
resolution at a setting greater than 1024x768, you should have no
problem creating your 3D animations using Swift 3D.
Modifying Models
If you think Swift 3D is simply used only a program
in which you import 3D models and export into Flash, you are
mistaken. Swift 3D includes the ability to not only modify 3D models
but also draw your own models (which I will discuss later) in Swift
3D.
 You
can modify a host of properties for your 3D object in Swift 3D v2.0.
You are provided with a simple panel with "property tools" on the
left from which you can select the portions of the object to modify.
Swift 3D v2.0 enables you to easily
modify the layout settings, camera angles and views, environmental
settings, lathe or extrusion, the material structure of your object,
the object's dimensions and shape, the position, and the scale of
your object.
Many of these settings can also be
accessed by simply using your mouse and manipulating your 3D object
into the shape, size, and color you want. For precise control of
your 3D model though, entering numerical values using the commands
from the property tools panel on your left.
Drawing In Swift 3D
The ability for you to draw your
own 3D models are well worth the cost of this program alone.
Electric Rain provided developers with the Lathe and Extrusion
editors. Both the Lathe and Extrusion editors allow you to draw your
own custom 3D models with a few mouse clicks.
With a few clicks of the mouse in the
Lathe editor (totaling about 10 seconds), I was able to
create the following shape ready for modifying and animating:
[ flashlight created
by drawing a symmetrical shape in the lathe editor ]
When I mentioned that it
took me 10 seconds to create the above shape, I am not joking. In
about 4 clicks of the mouse in the x/y co-ordinate Lathe editor, I
created the flashlight in the above image. Best of all, you can add
color, modify lighting, create custom animations, and more for the
shape.
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