Version releases of Swift 3D are so funny because we always get the same dichotomous reactions from our users: “That’s an awesome feature, but you know what would be really cool is…” It just goes to show that we’re all creatures of improvement – constantly seeking to enhance what we have today in the name of a better tomorrow.

Well that attitude is certainly prevalent here at Electric Rain and now that we have the Windows version out the door, with the Mac soon to come, we’re hoping you can all helps us with the next task at hand – determining where Swift 3D is heading as an application.

But before we get into the details of specific feature requests (which we already have tons of), I’m curious about what people think about Swift 3D’s future from a more philosophical perspective. So here are a few questions to ponder:

1. Should Swift 3D stay focused on the 3D side of things or should it do more to cross the bridge to Flash with things like actionscript control, movie clip generation, etc.?

2. Does Swift 3D need to evolve into two applications – a Basic and an Advanced version – so it can continue to cater to first-time 3Ders and veterans alike?

3. Should Swift 3D stay true to its close affiliation with Flash or should it try and take on a larger audience of 3D authoring for print, video, etc.?

4. Do you think Electric Rain should pursue other 3D technologies like real-time 3D using actionscript and the drawing API and move away from frame-based 3D?

5. Are there any major areas of 3D animation (or elsewhere) that you think Electric Rain has just completely missed the boat on?

And I’m not declaring this a “Build Software by Democratic Committee” movement, but rather am just interested in hearing folks weigh-in with their opinions so we can have a better idea of what you all see in the Swift 3D crystal ball. Comments are welcome here on the Blog, features are welcome at wishlist@erain.com and discussion can be had over at the ERAIN Bulletin Board in this thread.

The reason I say somewhat hidden is because this sparkling gem is right in front of everyone’s eyes yet its label may deter new users from looking at. I am talking about the new Swift 3D Upgrade Area. This recent addition to our revamped site provides an in-depth look at all the Swift 3D v4 feature additions and a product version feature comparison chart. This Swift 3D version comparison chart brings a smile to my face every time I look at it. Swift 3D has come a long way since being introduced as the first 3D Flash application in 2000. It is now the industry-leading 3D Flash tool with an array of robust features to satisfy 3D novices and experts alike. We have you to thank for that :)

Getting back to the purpose of the post. I highly recommend for all those interested in learning more about Swift 3D v4 to visit the upgrade area:

SWIFT 3D V4 UPGRADE AREA

Enjoy!

For all the MAC users patiently awaiting the MAC release, I just stole a MAC V4 screen shot for you from our engineer's office. I know it's not as good as a release, but I just want you to know that I'm thinking about you.

Hang in there...

Open it up full screen and use the zoom function for a closer look around.
Swift 3D V4 for the MAC

For those of you who avoid documentation like a Flash designer avoids Jacob Nielsen's commentary, you need not read further. For everyone else who enjoys copping a good educational read before getting too cozy with an application, we've pulled together a document that contains all of the juicy tips we've heard thus far on using the Advanced Modeler. This document is by no means a substitute for the documentation that comes with the program, but may help alleviate any potential 'poly-shock' that can occur in this new interface.

Well, V4's been out for four days and we've been seeing some amazing stuff being created already. Besides the User Examples we have here and here, there's a great forum thread over at SwiftDev where folks are posting stuff right and left. It's great to see such success in such a short amount of time. It just goes to show that we can build the piano, but it takes our talented users to show us how to play it.

New to advanced modeling? Here are a couple of tutorial to help you get started on your way to becoming a poly pushing 3D guru!

Dolphin (Jim Foley) - View Tutorial

Coffee Mug (Log2e) - View Tutorial

Ok, we're all caught up on our sleep now (yeah right) and want to let everyone know that our full attention is now turned towards getting our Mac customers the application they deserve. Now that Swift 3D V4 Windows has hit the streets we will be finshing up the Mac version ASAP. Fortunately our Mac development has been been taking place alongside of Windows on the inderlying code side of the picture, so it's mostly U.I. work that needs to be attended to. We are not yet prepared to set a firm date on the MAC release, but at least trust that it's our number one priority now.

I wanted to let everyone know that we've just opened up a thread in our ERAIN forum on tips to help master the Advanced Modeler. We have some outstanding beta testers who I've invited to help build a comprehensive list of key things that make the A.M. an even more fun place to hang out in. But of course our testers aren't the only gurus in town, so we welcome both readers and posters alike. Come check it out.

Weeks ago we promised you all first dibs on any news regarding the next version release of Swift 3D. Well, I’m here to declare that V4 is officially good to go.

We welcome you all to our freshly overhauled www.erain.com site to explore the new look, enjoy some of Jim Foley’s sweet animations, check out some great beta tester examples, and maybe even pick up a copy of the long-awaited software we’ve been working on. And as loyal erainiacs, we welcome you to be the first to invite your friends along for the ride as we have not yet made any official launch announcements. So not only can you be the first to own it, you can be the first to spill the proverbial 3D beans to the rest of the Flash world.

Thank you all for your excessive patience. It’s been a hell of a ride and frankly we’re glad it’s over. Now we’re going to go sleep for awhile and you can go have your well-deserved fun. And don’t forget to check back in with feedback – we hope to keep this blog alive and fresh with content, so we’ll be doing some polling to see what types of features we should be placing in the V5 queue.

Enjoy!

I want to give everyone one final heads up on the status of Swift 3D v4 for Windows. We just released what we hope to be our official release candidate build to the Swift 3D beta team. This final build addressees all the bug fixes that our beta team found during our final beta stage. The beta team will be testing this final release through the remainder of this week to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks.

Which brings us to the almighty release date. Swift 3D v4 will be released next week…oh yea:) We will be announcing the release on the Blog, website and email announcements.

Again, if you have any questions regarding development status, please post them on our support forums. Our support and moderation team regularly check the forums and can provide timely replies to your inquiries.

We are very excited to get Swift 3D v4 in your hands!

Cheers,
ED

Swift 3D Product Manager

Yes, the old (er, new) ERAIN Blog seems a little ghost towny right about now, but that's probably a good thing. Too many caffeine injected evenings and bleary-eyed mornings have left us all a bit zombie-esque as we try and apply the final spit and polish job to v4. Thank you all for your patience...no cause for alarm...ERAIN is still here...Swift 3D is still going to rock.

Now where was I?

Oh yeah... keyboard, mouse, coffee, RoboDemo, Modeling Tools Tutorial, deadline... and soon the big "PHEW!"