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Program Announcements / Medusa Pro Released - A 3D Rock Model Creator

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GrumpyOne
16
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Joined: 27th Nov 2007
Location: London, UK
Posted: 28th Feb 2014 23:53
We've just released Medusa Pro, a rock model creator for windows that can generate X and DBO models for Dark Basic and FPS. It is mysteriously difficult to generate realistic rocks...they so often look like blobs even in big budget games. Medusa can turn any shape into a realistic looking rock model and has a wealth of functions including bevel, crack and fold as well as per vertex editing to allow you to generate models for your application that suit your needs. Just like our other product, Forester Pro the tree creator, Medusa automatically generates LODs and collision meshes and each model imports seamlessly. Medusa even features a batch creator allowing numerous randomized models to be created at one time. Medusa generates rocks based on real geological principles (finally the geologist on the team is useful).

Here is a scene generated with models produced by Medusa Pro in about 5 minutes (a geologist would tell you these are a sequence of fluvial hematitic sandstones and conglomerates and typical of transient rivers in arid environments such as Wadis).



A free version of Medusa is available, Medusa Lite, which can generate an unlimited number of random models from two different templates (boulders and crags). A license for the registered version Medusa Pro is a very friendly $30.

You can download Medusa, and find video tutorials, now from our website.
http://www.hptware.co.uk/medusa.php

Btw...suggestions are welcome, and you might like to know Medusa was created in Dark Basic.

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer

Le Verdier
12
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Joined: 10th Jan 2012
Location: In the mosh-pit
Posted: 1st Mar 2014 12:20
I need some rock/cliff models so I will likely buy it soon
the generated models seem cool

On the UI:
-The mouse motion is too slow for me! need a lot of mouse move to rotate.. maybe an adjust mouse speed option
-Sometime, some menus action do not respond
-the close button of dialog boxes do not work
Of course, these are just minor things..


Thanks the team for providing this software..

GrumpyOne
16
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Joined: 27th Nov 2007
Location: London, UK
Posted: 2nd Mar 2014 14:09
We are going to add a mouse rotate speed option to the preferences next release (probably in week). We're also going to add some different UV mapping options, currently it uses an adaptive cubic mapping, which performs pretty well, but it would be good to add some more options.

The GUI is blueGUI...which indeed sometimes likes to be clicked twice (especially menus).

Soon some extra rock packs will be coming out. We've just today, in fact been working on some lava flows.

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer

Clonkex
Forum Vice President
13
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Joined: 20th May 2010
Location: Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia
Posted: 9th Mar 2014 13:23
Wow, this is not what I expected! That is to say, it's much better than I thought it would be!

When I hear "rock generator" I don't generally get excited; I picture small/single rocks, not great piles like this. This is actually a really useful tool - I've often wondered how I would create those kinds of rocks if I were to create a game needing them.

Excellent work

DennisW
15
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Location: Ohio
Posted: 10th Mar 2014 16:16 Edited at: 10th Mar 2014 16:19
@GrumpyOne

I have been trying to use this in FPSC Reload but with no success. I do get the .x to show up but it only show\'s up all black. I was wondering if you had any luck putting in Reload

Ham and Eggs Breakfast
The Chicken was involved the Pig was Committed
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GrumpyOne
16
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Joined: 27th Nov 2007
Location: London, UK
Posted: 12th Mar 2014 00:31
Dear Dennis W,

We haven't tried....but we will get a copy of FPSC Reload and give it a go and sort this out. Have you tried the DBOs?

The X and DBO files load in Dark Basic Pro, but I will give FPSC a go.

Best,
GrumpyOne

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer

GrumpyOne
16
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Joined: 27th Nov 2007
Location: London, UK
Posted: 12th Mar 2014 00:44 Edited at: 12th Mar 2014 00:45
Version 1.01 of Medusa Pro Launched

We've just launched version 1.01 of Medusa Pro which incorporates some of our customers requests and suggestions.

The main addition to this version is the addition of a whole load of UV mapping options. You can now chose to generate UVs by cube, cylindrical and sphere mapping, and specify the angle limit used to generate seams during projection giving you more control over texturing. We've also added a specially developed function to fix stretched faces to minimize artifacts. Given the huge range of different rock models that Medusa can produce, the new UV options allow you to optimize textures to ensure they suit your needs.

In addition to the automatic UV mapping techniques we've also added a UV editor so you can manually control the size, orientation and position of UV coordinates on individual or groups if faces. This will let you minimize any visible seams and includes a new project from view function.

A scene created with this latest version of Medusa Pro is shown below:



If you've already installed Medusa Pro you can just download the updater here:

http://www.hptware.co.uk/downloads/medusa_updater101.zip

Otherwise you can find the full installer on our website:

http://www.hptware.co.uk/medusa.php

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer

Clonkex
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Location: Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia
Posted: 12th Mar 2014 01:16
Looks really good! When I eventually get some cash again I'll probably end up buying this

DennisW
15
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Location: Ohio
Posted: 12th Mar 2014 03:33
@ GrumpyOne

I downloaded the updater and installed it. I will test it out first thing in the morning. I will post my findings. I am looking forward to working with Medusa I can see many possibilities. The first thing that I notice is the mouse to object is a lot faster.

Dennis

Ham and Eggs Breakfast
The Chicken was involved the Pig was Committed
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DennisW
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Location: Ohio
Posted: 13th Mar 2014 17:39
I sent you a email on what I found
Dennis

Ham and Eggs Breakfast
The Chicken was involved the Pig was Committed
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GrumpyOne
16
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Location: London, UK
Posted: 4th Apr 2014 04:15 Edited at: 4th Apr 2014 04:16
Volcanic Rock Pack 1 Released

We've released our first template pack for Medusa Pro, Volcanic Rock Pack 1, adding five new rock types including materials and new shapes. Volcanic Rock Pack features lavas (cooled lavas...the resulting rocks rather than the runny hot stuff). These models are ideal for volcanic islands, steaming desolate volcanic plains, or even the surface of other worlds as shown below:


Showing the crater of a basaltic shield volcano on Io, a moon of Jupiter.


Showing a glassy fresh pahoehoe flow.

Volcanic Rock Pack 1 features the following templates. Each one can produce a huge variety of models:



The Volcanic Rock Pack is $10 and together with Medusa Pro can be downloaded from our website:

http://www.hptware.co.uk/medusa.php

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer

Barry Pythagoras
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Posted: 4th Apr 2014 15:08 Edited at: 4th Apr 2014 15:08
The models look really good... the curved ones remind me of Avatar rocks.
Clonkex
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Location: Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia
Posted: 5th Apr 2014 17:08
Indeed, Barry. They do look really good. I really want to find a use for something like this just so can buy it!

GrumpyOne
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Location: London, UK
Posted: 18th Apr 2014 14:25 Edited at: 18th Apr 2014 14:25
Medusa Pro version 1.02 Released

We've just released version 1.02 of Medusa Pro which has been inspired by user comments. There are lots of extra features requested by customers, such as user defined mouse sensitivity, but the big one is an extra level of randomness for models. Each Medusa Pro model is generated randomly from an underlying shape, a primitive such as a cube or sphere, or an arch, or even a user defined shape. We've now added shape noise so you can control how closely the model conforms to the over-all shape. Small values of shape noise result in distortions to the shape, large values result in interesting protrusions and some quite wacky shapes.

To illustrate what we mean see the Alien world scene below which features some models created with various amounts of shape noise. We created all the rocks in the scene in Medusa and exported them within 5 minutes. The scene took us about 20 minutes to complete. If you've ever created rock models by hand you'll know that each one can take many hours to make, and UV texturing can be a nightmare. Medusa will let you build scenes quickly an efficiently and allows you to create completely unique models, saving you days or weeks of development.



There is a free version of Medusa that lets you create boulders and crags of one rock type. The registered version is only $30. You can download Medusa Pro from our website.

http://www.hptware.co.uk/medusa.php

If you have already installed Medusa you can update to the latest version using:
http://www.hptware.co.uk/downloads/m...updater102.zip

Please note...updates to Medusa are free and can be applied to the free version of Medusa, however, some of the features can only be exported with the registered version.

Our first DLC, Volcanic Rock Pack 1 is also available from our website. It features five new rock types for the registered version of Medusa Pro that can generate a huge range of rock models.


p.s. If you like the skybox, it was created with Space Engine.

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer

GrumpyOne
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Location: London, UK
Posted: 5th May 2014 19:17 Edited at: 5th May 2014 19:18
Mountain Rocks Pack 1 Released

We've just released our second rock template pack, Mountain Rock Pack 1, which can add five new templates to Medusa Pro of rocks typical of high mountain ranges. An example is shown below:



Each template in the pack can be used to generate a huge range of models. The templates are:



Mountain Rock Pack 1 is $10 and requires the registered version of Medusa. A free version of Medusa Pro is available from our website.

http://www.hptware.co.uk/medusa.php

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer

Clonkex
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GrumpyOne
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Location: London, UK
Posted: 29th Jun 2014 15:25
Free Rock Template Pack Released

We've just released a free template pack adding two extra rock templates to Medusa Pro which can be used to randomly generate an enormous range of models. Two models generated from the templates are shown below. The free templates require the registered version of Medusa Pro. The pack is available as a short term promotion. If you've already bought Medusa you can also download and install the templates.



Medusa Pro, including a free version, and the rock template pack can be downloaded from our website.

http://www.hptware.co.uk/medusa.php

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer

Clonkex
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GrumpyOne
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Location: London, UK
Posted: 20th Jul 2014 19:57
Cliff Rock Pack 1 Released

We've just released our third DLC for Medusa Pro Cliff Rock Pack 1 with new templates that can be used to generate five new types of rock. Each template can produce an enormous range of models and can be easily customized to produce even more variety. The templates in the new pack are shown below:



A scene created with one of these templates plus plant and tree models produced by our other product Forester Pro, is shown below:



Each of our template packs are $10 and require the registered version of Medusa Pro. You can download Medusa Pro from our website. There is also a free version of Medusa that allows generation of randomized models from several templates.

http://www.hptware.co.uk/medusa.php

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer

GrumpyOne
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Posted: 18th Aug 2014 02:37 Edited at: 18th Aug 2014 02:39
We've just released our fourth DLC for Medusa featuring five new templates of beach rocks. Each new template can produce a wide range of models since Medusa generates randomized versions at the click of a button. Each template can also be customized using the tools available in Medusa. Included in the new pack are a range of barnacle, limpet and seaweed encrusted rocks to create beach scenes.



An example scene created with some models generated from these templates is shown below:



Template packs for Medusa Pro are $10 and need the registered version of Medusa Pro.

http://www.hptware.co.uk/medusa.php

Other Products

Forester Pro, the tree and plant creator http://www.hptware.co.uk/forester.php

Mr Normal, the normal map creator http://www.hptware.co.uk/mrnormal.php

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer - Forester Pro (Tree & Plant Creator), Medusa Pro (Rock Creator), Mr Normal (Normal Map Generator) http://www.hptware.co.uk

Clonkex
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Posted: 18th Aug 2014 09:05
Dat's cooool. Plus, Mr Normal looks pretty good too Have to test it out properly later.

Green Gandalf
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Playing: Malevolence:Sword of Ahkranox, Skyrim, Civ6.
Posted: 24th Aug 2014 20:05
Looks good - and you seem to have fixed the issues mentioned by Le Verdier. (Your other program, MrNormal, seems to have the same issues but I guess you'll get around to that. )

Have you sorted out the FPSC(R) problems mentioned a few months ago? Unless things have changed since I last looked, FPSC(R) uses strict naming conventions for its textures. There was a document circulating somewhere giving authors of models specific advice for FPSC(R). I'm sure Lee will send you a copy if asked.



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GrumpyOne
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Location: London, UK
Posted: 23rd Oct 2014 02:30
Hi GG,

I'm planning on releasing versions of Medusa Pro and Forester Pro with specific export options for FPSC(R) including generation of asset definition files. Never enough hours in the day!

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer - Forester Pro (Tree & Plant Creator), Medusa Pro (Rock Creator), Mr Normal (Normal Map Generator) http://www.hptware.co.uk

GrumpyOne
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Location: London, UK
Posted: 23rd Oct 2014 02:32
Desert Rock Pack 1

We've just released our fifth pack of rock templates, Desert Rock Pack 1. Each template can generate a huge number of different randomized rock models. The textures included with these rock packs were collected in the Moroccan Sahara. The templates are shown below:



A scene generated using the rock pack and plants created with our other product Forester Pro, is shown below:



Template packs for Medusa Pro cost $10 and require the registered version of Medusa. Templates and Medusa Pro can be downloaded from our website. A free version of Medusa Pro is also available.

http://www.hptware.co.uk/medusa.php

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer - Forester Pro (Tree & Plant Creator), Medusa Pro (Rock Creator), Mr Normal (Normal Map Generator) http://www.hptware.co.uk

GrumpyOne
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Location: London, UK
Posted: 3rd Dec 2014 12:47
We've just released version 1.03 of Medusa Pro, a rock model creator for windows, which can export text encoded X files, example fpe, preview bitmap and textures in DDS format for FPSC Reloaded. Medusa Pro can produce a huge range of rock models including boulders, crags, pillars, arches and even small caves all at the click of a button, it can also generated LODs automatically. All the rock models produced by Medusa Pro are created using real geological principles allowing you to add bedding, fractures and even folds to make your models realistic. You can also edit templates used to generate rock models and edit produced models using deformation functions such as twist, bevel, smooth and crack, and per vertex. An example of a scene created using Medusa rocks and trees from our other product Forester Pro is shown below.



A free version of Medusa is available from our website that can produce a range of randomised rocks. The registered version, which can generate custom models and allows editing is $30.

http://www.hptware.co.uk/medusa.php

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer - Forester Pro (Tree & Plant Creator), Medusa Pro (Rock Creator), Mr Normal (Normal Map Generator) http://www.hptware.co.uk

GrumpyOne
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Location: London, UK
Posted: 16th Mar 2015 21:46
We've just released our sixth template pack for Medusa Pro, Ice Pack 1, featuring objects for your games such as pinnacles and cliffs consisting of ice. The pack consists of five different templates that can each generate a wide range of randomised models. A scene of an icy moon, created using models generated by the templates are shown below:




The Ice Pack 1 template requires the registered version of Medusa Pro and is $10. A free version of Medusa Pro is also available from our website.

http://www.hptware.co.uk/medusa.php

GrumpyOne - the natural state of the programmer - Forester Pro (Tree & Plant Creator), Medusa Pro (Rock Creator), Mr Normal (Normal Map Generator) http://www.hptware.co.uk

Clonkex
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