Aladdin4D is a software program for modeling and rendering three-dimensional graphics

3D computer graphics

3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...

 and animations, for the Amiga

Amiga

The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...

 platform. Aladdin 4D was originally created by Greg Gorby at Adspec Programing in Ohio, and was an updated version of an earlier 3D program called Draw4D Pro, which integrated elements of desktop publishing

Desktop publishing

Desktop publishing is the creation of documents using page layout software on a personal computer.The term has been used for publishing at all levels, from small-circulation documents such as local newsletters to books, magazines and newspapers...

 into its environment. The 3D program was then acquired and updated by Nova Design, Inc. Nova Design added many modern features and made it easier to use. It was one of the first 3D animation programs on any platform to employ volumetrics, which were primarily used to create volumetric gas. However, unlike the majority of Amiga 3D programs, it used scanline rendering

Scanline rendering

Scanline rendering is an algorithm for visible surface determination, in 3D computer graphics,that works on a row-by-row basis rather than a polygon-by-polygon or pixel-by-pixel basis...

 instead of the more photorealistic ray tracing

Ray tracing

In computer graphics, ray tracing is a technique for generating an image by tracing the path of light through pixels in an image plane and simulating the effects of its encounters with virtual objects. The technique is capable of producing a very high degree of visual realism, usually higher than...

 technique. In 2005 Nova Design tried to make the program Open Source

Open source

The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...

 by selling it to the Amiga community asking the community to collect a Bounty of just US $37,579.83 for paying some bills that Nova Design had, but this bounty had no success. On December 17, 2007 Nova Design sold all inventory, source code and intellectual property rights to DiscreetFX LLC. DiscreetFX is updating and releasing a new 6.0 version for Mac OS X

Mac OS X

Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...

, iPad

IPad

The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...

, AmigaOS 4

AmigaOS 4

AmigaOS 4, , is a line of Amiga operating systems which runs on PowerPC microprocessors. It is mainly based on AmigaOS 3.1 source code, and partially on version 3.9 developed by Haage & Partner...

, MorphOS

MorphOS

MorphOS is an Amiga-compatible computer operating system. It is a mixed proprietary and open source OS produced for the Pegasos PowerPC processor based computer, PowerUP accelerator equipped Amiga computers, and a series of Freescale development boards that use the Genesi firmware, including the...

 2, AROS

Aros

Aros may refer to:*Aros , a river in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium*AROS Research Operating System, a free software implementation of AmigaOS* Aros, the original Viking name of Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark...

, Linux

Linux

Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...

 & Windows

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...

. The Windows version of Aladdin 4D will never be sold stand alone. Instead it will be included for free when you purchase the product for one of the other operating systems. Application will also be available for the Apple iPad.

Features

Aladdin 4D is one of the few modern 3D applications for the Amiga platform, in the sense that it uses an OS-compliant GUI, it supports RTG displays, it utilizes the AmigaGuide Help system and features an Arexx port for scripting. Concerning the 3D features of the application:

- Infinite layering of surfaces: A surface of an object may have a virtually infinite amount of textures, shaders etc layered on it.

- Spline modelling tool.

- Importing of most postscript files, making the creation of logos easier.

- Unlimited number of working layers: multiple working areas containing only a portion of the scene, easing out the management and pace of objects during the creation of animation.

- Gaseous volumetrics with adjustable mass.

- Built-in particle system to simulate various effects like fireworks.

- Morphing capabilities in the animation system.

- Spline animation controls.

Also, Aladdin 4D has advanced rendering features like motion blur, multiple pass supersampling, lens flares, 32-bit color support and a highly optimized 68k rendering engine.

Format support

Aladdin 4D supports the following 3D formats: Aladdin 4D, Lightwave3D, GEO, EPS, DEM, Draw4D-Pro and Draw4D, 3D Studio for either loading or loading and saving. Image Formats supported for loading and saving: IFF/ILBM (palette mapped and 24-bit formats), JPEG and Video Toaster Framestores.

Interoperability

Aladdin 4D supports exchange of data with ImageFX, Amiga Lightwave 3D/Video Toaster, World Construction Set and all programs that support Nova Design's "Magic" protocol for buffer sharing.

Compatibility

Aladdin 4D latest version runs on any Amiga platform or an emulated one, like Amiga Forever

Amiga Forever

Amiga Forever is an Amiga preservation, emulation and support package produced by Cloanto, which allows Amiga software to run on non-Amiga hardware legally and without configuration. The Windows version of Amiga Forever includes two Amiga emulators, WinUAE and WinFellow, while the other supported...

, UAE (including WinUAE & E-UAE), and also on the Draco and Pegasos

Pegasos

Pegasos is a MicroATX motherboard powered by a PowerPC 750CXe or PowerPC 7447 microprocessor, featuring three PCI slots, one AGP slot, two Ethernet ports , USB, DDR, AC'97 sound, and FireWire...

 or Mac Mini G4

Mac Mini

The Mac Mini is a small form factor desktop computer manufactured by Apple Inc. Like earlier mini-ITX PC designs, it is uncommonly small for a desktop computer: 7.7 inches square and 1.4 inches tall. It weighs 2.7 pounds...

systems running MorphOS.

Future

DiscreetFX, the new owner of Aladdin 4D, has already announced the platforms the new version will support and their intention to market it as a low cost application which may not have all the modern features similar programs do, but enough to get someone introduced to the 3D graphics world and create a portfolio. The submission of new ideas and features for the next version has already begun in the Aladdin 4D forums.

External links

• Aladdin 4D - 3D Animation Packages website.
• CU Amiga Magazine November 1997 Magazine cover created with Aladdin 4D.