In 2000 I started to learn Virtools and my dream was to work with that technology fulltime. In 2001 I started to work on VR stuff for a PC-based 'CAVE'-like technology based on VRML. At daytime I did 3d content and scripting for it and at night time I was enjoying the power of Virtools.
In 2003 I met for the first time Roland Wagner – the guy that wrote the magazine article about Virtools where I first ever read about it and which made me download their demo. In 2004 my dream came true and I joined Roland's team and worked full time on projects using Virtools.
I had the desire to push Virtools as much as possible – often developing at the edge of it's usability. For example we probably did the first commercial project in Virtools 3.0 where, for several outdoor scenes, every single object was using a shader.
This enthusiasm of course revealed a lot, lot design shortcoming and bugs. And of course one never stops learning Virtools … even now after so many years!, but there were and are still real issues. Already some years ago I talked to many advanced developers that felt the same frustration like me: we were able to see the full potential of this technology if issues would be addressed. Some things improved over time, but not as fast and intensive as we wished. Often we wondered why it didn't progress faster … at some point it was clear that Virtools was lacking manpower especially since they started the complete rewrite that was named: mp. mp, the tech that addresses all issues!
In meanwhile Virtools prices started to climb and climb, while other technologies appeared on the horizon. After the web3D area, where still only a few used 3D and mainly for simple interactivity, more people wanted to do 3d games and content. Some open source engines like OGRE3D and Irrlicht got larger communities. Quest3D also became an established alternative to Virtools (except for those that used Virtools already).
Suddenly Virtools was no longer the best option …. Other solutions had suddenly features that where not available in Virtools – or not to that degree. Even when Virtools was still the more productive environment, pricing difference made other solutions attractive.
A good example is Unity3D. It has physics and publishing for free. But script-code development is actually much slower in my opinion (compile time, no breakpoints and no stepping etc). It also has less features on one hand, but on the other hand features that Virtools doesn't have: modern shadow system, terrain engine, more advanced script languages (JS/C#). This becomes so attractive that people like Matthew switched and I … I am at least learning it at a slow pace. Bogengang, the company i am still working for, nearly bought UnityPro for a first project, if I would not have been too busy with other projects. But I am certain, it's a matter of time and we will use Unity for *some* projects in the future too.
Already 2 years ago, I told my boss that we need to introduce an alternative as 'Plan B'. As you can see, it's not fast and easy to do for us who are now used to develop quite effective with Virtools – especially with customized export & build pipeline. But even this time-saving might not always be enough to make 3d things available for attractive prices – at least in the sectors where we are mainly active.
3D is going mainstream. And this does not happen because Dassault Systemes is doing "3D For All" or "3dvia ". Technology is evolving extremely fast and even more and more young people are enthusiastic about games and digital creativity. In addition to that, key-companies like Microsoft, Nvidia and Sony know that they need many new talents for their markets. Therefore they are giving away tools and technology for free.
A good example is XNA Game Studio and XBox Community Games from Microsoft. Also free is Microsoft's Dark GDK for Visual Studio Express. NVidia of course has also tons of free tools: FX Composer, Mental Mill, NVSG ... Sony recently announced that they are going to release a free engine for the PS3 called PhyreEngine. Maybe Intel will follow one day with releasing the Project Offset Engine to push Larabee.
There is a fast growing Indie Game Scene producing a lot of new 3D content. The Casual Games market actually grew so much that it's no longer an Indie thing only. Not everything is free but accessibility to 3D content generation is facilitated by lowering costs: the Wii Kit is said to be costing less than 2000$ US and PS3 development could start with less than 1200$ US according to Sony!
Now I wonder where in all this is Virtools? Where does Virtools position itself in this market nowadays? mp is about to be released – instead of being a replacement of Virtools DEV its a new product, probably aiming a AAA multi-million budgets. So what is now the official role and position of Virtools DEV I wonder?
I already don't develop any plugins in my spare time for Virtools anymore because it 'feels' like an dead-end, lost time. If it's true or not, it doesn't matter… if you
know what I mean …. the enthusiasm I had for it is no more – that's a key difference. And probably I am not alone …. the Virtools IRC channel was never very crowed – 14 ppl. at peak times .. but now? EMPTY! Go and do a visit in Unity3D's IRC channel … see the difference?
The recently published Gamasutra article 'Nine Paths to Indie Greatness' mentions a lot of tools and technologies (bottom of page 3). Among them Unity but not Virtools. In the current issue of Digital Production, which is THE 3D magazine for digital content creation in germany, has articles about Unity3D and Quest3D – about Virtools I haven't seen any for ages.
Guys, change strategy … open Virtools to the masses, now that you have mp. It's no longer 1999 or 2000. Become Skype of the 3D sector! There are now so much more people knowing about interactive real-time 3D content creation!
Unity3D might not be perfect but it feels like a real alternative! Blade3D is still very, very young but who knows. There's also StoneTrip's Shiva or DXStudio. And one day Flash will have 3D too, they already started with Astro. Director11 comes DX9 rasterizer plus PhysX. Choices are starting to become available …
So nice….
Yep.. I don't trust, that Virtools will change strategy. And i think that Virtools will dead for this way (( And this is real pain, because we use this engine so long and love it. But now Virtools – is just like oldman. And 3DVia MP – not for massive users… strange position of 3ds, very strange.
Tnx for this word`s friend. So sorry that all of this – true.
Interesting thoughts Dom, I think its very possible for Virtools to become the flash of 3D simply because of the scripting language and believe it or not DS is a pretty good company for making that happen… The hole pricing thing is quiet interesting to, on one hand having software really cheap is brilliant for consumers as long as the market sector is large enough to make enough $$$$ to allow for future development… I personally feel at this point this market is really not big enough to support really complete tool at a sub $2K price bracket… 3 things will eventually happen to companies in that position now. 1.Prices go up 2.Product becomes stagnet (while you might argue this is true with Virtools you have to remember the did manage to build MP) 3. Company gets bought out. My simple justification at why i think $2k is to cheap is simply look at the DCC market tools like Max and Maya are $3-5k USD with 500k userbase or a simple adobe creative suite is a few ground with millions of users… If you step back and look at the software industry its very obvious who is inline and who isn't, i guess you can argue VT is to expensive and Unity is way to cheap. Its costing Microsoft and Sony huge amounts of $$$ to make things like XNA avaliable but they get the kick backs for hardware and game sales. All in all its going to be an interesting next few years…
very smarts words Dominique,we're considering switching to Director 11 in our school because the new direction DS about Virtools is wrong and they're loosing the advantage this (wonderful) tool had some time ago (i remember when it was called Nemo and the future was bright); so sorry…but it's not too late, if they reduce the price and make it popular (like Flash & 3D Max) and do suport to schools and universities , Virtools could be THE tool for all 3d interactive works. Please DS, listen to the uesers!
Me too, and i think this applies for many others. the power we put in learning virtools will not turn back. i’m stressed because the same might happen with another technology.]]>
Hello Sr. youare totally right about your comments, in fact in 2000, i saw some similar when Cult3D come to life, after some years Softimage bought that technology for use it on another solutions if i remember well… I been closer with Virtools since NEMO´s NAME lol aerlys 2000, and user since 3.0 i hope also that MP dont leave this great tool dead…lol… and about IRC channels you are also right!!! theres no ppl on it… SwappMeat forum its most used i think… See you later…. Ivan/Mexico
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I am really curious: have you managed to develop VR applications with Unity, thought?
chic, I haven't yet. It depends what kind of VR applications you want to build. Edge-blended multi-view clusters might be difficult if you require soft-swap lock and lock-step simulations (for cause distributions). Otherwise you totally can!