3D editor

As a recently returning user, I admit I’m still figuring out what is out there software wise. Has there ever been a moderate 3D editor, not Blender, but something simpler to create 3D models and export them?

Blender is powerful, and I’ve played with it a lot, but the UI can be a bit impenetrable sometimes!

TopModel was the super-3D application for RISC OS, but it never made it out of the 26bit era :-( There was some talk (in Archive magazine IIRC) about someone getting in touch with the original author (who was Italian IIRC again) and persuading him to restart development, but I’ve not seen any sign of it.

There was also Ace Computing’s Euclid, which was the 3D part of their suite of animation programs. Anyone know what happened to Ace and all their programs? They were nicely designed and integrated well with the RO look and feel.

Steve Royd-Marker was working on Top Model 3D:
Top Model 3D

Steve Royd-Marker was working on Top Model 3D:
Top Model 3D

Link is 404, but the Wayback machine from September last year gives a project status – and the info that some guy called Andrew Rawnsley was involved in the effort to put it out in an updated form.

Are there any screenshots of it? Or anything at all to give me an idea of what it was capable of?

It does sound exactly like what I need…

Are there any screenshots of it? Or anything at all to give me an idea of what it was capable of?

Well the saved page in the Wayback machine is on this link

Perhaps Andrew has a copy that’s been part converted that could show the current state. The page doesn’t look to have been updated between 2016 and 2019 so progress on the update is an unknown.

I believe Steve is still trying to get it updated. He name-dropped me because he wanted to make the project seem legit, but I haven’t seen any of the code or application. It was basically a case of “if we manage to get a new version of TopModel going, would you like to be involved Andrew?” to which my response was “Sure! Sounds great!” :) I see Steve each year or two at the Dutch eXperience event, and he’s still very keen. He’s in contact with Paola (the original author), so it’s still “live” just not, erm, active.

Not sure if Steve reads this forum, but if he does, he may be able to give more info.

the saved page in the Wayback machine

<clicky-clicky>
<reads>
is mostly written in “machine code”

Oh boy. Here we go again…

I’m interested in how it does its rendering, whether it’s a software implementation of OpenGL or something more proprietary…

Something more proprietory. I think when it was conceived, OpenGL was largely the domain of SGI workstations and the like. The TopModel renderer was optimised ARM-code to deliver “fast as possible” 3D graphics for real-time editing on RiscPC class hardware. I suspect that whilst it may have concepts similar to other engines, it wouldn’t bog itself down trying to conform to standards that weren’t necessary for its primary goal.

Of course, this begs the question of quite what it is useful for (apart from looking pretty) unless it has suitable export methods for CAD/CAM. Unfortunately I can’t recall that. I did have a copy of the program, but never really had any use for it apart from looking at the demo files and being amazed.

Of course, this begs the question of quite what it is useful for (apart from looking pretty) unless it has suitable export methods for CAD/CAM.

All things considered I think there is someone on the ROOL forums that is likely to have a copy, likely to have a copy of the source and know what it can export and would be useful for.
Probably having a day doing something useful rather than commenting.

Link is 404, …

Link is working if you remove “the end”…

http://www.markerdesign.be/ … in “Projecten” you find TopModell…

For me TopModell/TopModell2 was unstable on my RISC PC but I remember it was possible to export the data and use it in FreeCAD etc.
If anyone has a interest, I can “reanimate” my RISC PC and try…
Maybe a4com has the source for the German Version but she no longer Support RISC OS. I try to become some Information.

is mostly written in “machine code”

On the other hand, if a version without software protection could run under Aemulor…

Sometimes I don’t ask for more than a good Aemulor support (HOMM2?).

Indeed. By the way, at the end of this thread is a spammer you may have missed:
https://www.riscosopen.org/forum/forums/12/topics/15842?page=7

And he’s barfed another one in this thread, a couple of posts before the end:
https://www.riscosopen.org/forum/forums/5/topics/406?page=22

With ref to TopModel – was there any stipulation from the author – upon passing the code on to someone else for 32 bitting?

Is there a specific Aemulor thread that talks about compatibility and such? (could not find it)
If running TopModel with Aemulor works well then I’d love to see that.
The wayback machine mentions a developer:

Paola Castagno Contact Bluetech www.techexperts.it Main developer

Did anyone here tried to contact that developer? The website is Italian..
Oh, that was mentioned already.

Someone on this list seems to have made contact with the author – and has been sent the latest copy of TopModel.

Be interesting to try out Druck’s latest prog update ARMalyser :-)

Had a go – ages ago – on 32bitting the viewer.

Just had the bird and a flower to play with.

Good luck with that. I ported Photodesk to 32 bits (twice), but for some reason I didn’t tackle Top Model 2, I suspect it will be tricky.

Someone on this list seems to have made contact with the author – and has been sent the latest copy of TopModel.

That’s me. The latest version of TopModel is not very recent. It’s an old 26bit version ware the gardian-protect has been removed. It works on my RISC-PC, My A9-home with Aamulor and on my MacBook Pro on top of Virtual Risc PC. The last setup being the fastest.

You can download that TopModel from my website www.markerdesign.be —> find the TopModel logo billow and click on it.

Almost a year since the last post.
Was there ever a 32 bit version of FreeCAD? Someone could possible compile the code for it to RISC OS.
I’m starting to play with RISC OS on my RPI4, and would love to try a 3D modeler on it.

TopModel did the trick for me way back when. Think it’s being developed since then. Met Giancarlo Castagno at the RiscPC launch in Harrogate. Nice fellow.

Paola is a ‘she’ by the way, not a ‘he’. (Lookin’ at you Bryan.)

That got me really confused, then I realised you didn’t mean Paolo.