Real3D (3D modeling software)

Real3D is the name of a cutting edge 3D modeling and raytracing program, originally for the Amiga computer and later also for Unix, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. It was created by Realsoft Graphics. It used "IFF REAL" for its objects. The latest Amiga version is now freely available by [http://amikit.amiga.sk/add-ons.htm AmiKit] .

The first lines of code were written in 1983 on Commodore 64 by two Finnish brothers Juha and Vesa Meskanen. The development of Real3D was really started in 1985, as Juha Meskanen started his studies at the Technical Institute of Lahti, Finland. Juha's brother Vesa joined the development and jumped out from his university career to start the Realsoft company in 1989. The first commercial Real 3D version was released on Amiga the same year featuring constructive solid geometry, support for smooth curved quadric surfaces and a ray-tracer for photo realistic rendering. Version 1.2, released 1990, was already distributed in several European countries. Version 1.3 was released early 1991. Despite of small version number increments, v1, v1.2 and v 1.3 were all major releases, with new manuals and packaging. V.1.4 was released at the end of the same year, in December 1991. It was the last version derived from the original Real3D design.

Real3D matured enormously when it hit version 2 two years later, 1993. It was huge leap forward not only from its previous version of 1.4 but for all 3D programs. Version 2 was not a direct successor of v.1. It was a redesigned software with a new source code basis. It introduced ground breaking features - booleans, CSG primitives, b-spline curves, physically based animation simulation, morph based animation techniques and phenomenal rendered output. It took full advantage of the multi tasking abilities of the Amiga - allowing the user to continue editing a scene on another window while it rendered.

Version 2 was the first version, which was ported to Microsoft Windows. The Windows version was released 1994.

Version 3.5, released 1996, was the last version based on v2 architecture. Realsoft had started a new major development project around 1994. The project involved a complete software rewrite, new object oriented source code, platform independent design, modularity, and adoption of several other state-of–art development methods. Version 4 was released year 2000. With this new release, Realsoft renamed the product to "Realsoft 3D". While V4 was released on multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, Linux and SGI Irix, an Amiga version was not developed.

The next major release was v.4.5 (released 2002), which introduced for example caustics and global illumination rendering features.

Version 5, released in October 2004, expanded the feature set in all program areas. It was also an important visual leap forward supporting full-color 32 bit icons.

The latest version 6 was released at the end of 2007. It introduced powerful parametric tools for plant modeling and building construction. Native versions for Mac OS X as well as 64 bit operating systems flavors were released.

External links

* [http://www.realsoft.com Official website]
* [http://www.realsoft.org Forum, Image gallery ]
* [http://www.realsoft.info info site ]
* [http://aminet.net/pix/real3 Aminet Real3D traces]