It is okay I've decided the best thing for me is a freeware open source 3D engine. I plan on this being a large commercial product. The fee wasn't the issue but I've found a better suited free alternative. The source is "required" to be able to debug your end product properly. I'd need to be able to fix bugs in the engine as well as in my source. It's about supporting your customers. I don't plan on making the same mistake I've seen TGC make with their IDE(outsourcing with no source.
I do like the issue of ease of use and a low learning curve for DB users, but I also need even more to be able to support my customers. My relationship with TGC this forum and their products will continue. Mostly for testing ideas and helping other forum members. I might contribute to other products and will leave my source for my adventures into the api intact at least for a while. I may even right a few DLL's once I become more familar with C++. These will be on request and most likely free.
Next, If the bugs are so many you can't keep up with them then it was still a beta product not ready for release. Also the "bugs" tend to be lessen the more you restrict the end user. TGC has put very few restrictions in place. This is what makes their's an execellent product but a support nightmare. However a game usually restricts the user a little more as you don't have over 1000 interacting commands to debug.
Finally, I'd like to say thanks to TGC for what you've had to offer me. Your software is able to produce commercially viable products. However if you want to see my intrest return I'd suggest thinking about an limited open source commercial license. (Even a moderately high priced one if your engine really is that good.)
P.S. One final question. Would you consider allowing someone too purchase a strict open source license in order to make and be able to support a large commercial product?
Please someone from TGC answer this.
