Ac3d

AC3D and X-PlaneThis is the definitive download web page for the latest AC3D XPlane plugin. It will be updated when new versions are available.AC3D is widely used to create screnery and aircraft for the X-Plane flight simulator system.You will need to download and install the X-Plane/AC3D plugin - see below.As well as modeling for X-Plane, the X-Plane plugin adds animation capability for X-Plane models - see a tutorial.X-Plane PluginsX-Plane plugins for AC3D 9.0 (4.0b0) X-Plane 12Windows: - updated for X-Plane 12 (requires AC3D 9 min) - extra _bb and _pm lights added - added lit_nits (brightness) value to attr_light (default 1000) - light parameter labels are updated with correct field labels (from the data in lights.txt) - The number of max selected objects/panels open at once can be increased up to 9 (not larger) by editing MAX_SEL in the tcl file. - light-type popup menu changed to a more compact combobox. - dref pulldowns have been made longer - "cd" value in lights now imported and exported correctly See below for plugin installation instructions.X-Plane plugins for AC3D 9.0 (3.5b3) (XPlane 11 only)Windows: for AC3D 9.0 - Mac - window types changed to prevent stacking problems - searches for datarefs and commands.txt files automatically - bug fix to texture image data handlingX-Plane plugins for AC3D 8.5/8.6 (3.5b1)Windows: This version adds the ability to edit the exported OBJ header (in X-Plane export settings) e.g. "GLOBAL_specular 1.0\n".X-Plane plugins for AC3D 8.3 (3.4b3)The 64 bit X-Plane plugins are here :Windows: www.inivis.com/external/XPlaneSupportWin34b3.zipMac: www.inivis.com/external/ac3dxplanemac34b3.tgz Here is the X-Plane plugin (3.3b3) for AC3D 8.0.This adds support for exporting TEXTURE_NORMAL lines.Download AC3D X-Plane plugin for WindowsDownload AC3D X-Plane plugin for Mac Download AC3D X-Plane plugin for Linux *** Mac users should not use the previous version 3.3b2 - there's a nasty divide-by-zero bug in it which can cause a crash. Update to the above version. ***For AC3D 7.5:This version 3.3b1. It adds support for the new X-Plane 10.50 Manipulators.Windows MacInstallation InstructionsAC3D does not come with the X-Plane plugin included. You''ll need to download and install it. Along with the plugin file and the .tcl file, you'll also need some data refs files. On the Mac, AC3D 8.3 and later: you must open the AC3D.app bundle and put them in the plugins folder. Either CTRL+left click, or right-click on the AC3D app icon to get a popup menu and select "Show package contents". Copy the files into the plugins folder. How to check what version of the X-Plane plugin you have Within AC3D, go to the Help menu and select "About Plugins". It's usually at the bottom "OBJ8 X-Plane".To check that the plugin is installed and running If it's all fine, you'll see and X-Plane menu on the right end of the main AC3D menu.DocumentationA tutorial on using the plugin to create X-Plane animations Thanks to Ray Hill for this document which describes how to build 3D cockpits for X-Plane using AC3D: Manipulators

AC3D is a robust 3D modeling program that enables users to create detailed models of various objects and environments, utilizing OpenGL for rendering. Its compatibility with other popular 3D modeling software enhances its versatility, allowing for seamless import and export of different file formats. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced designer, AC3D provides a wide range of editing tools and features to facilitate your 3D design needs. Features of AC3D - Wide Format Compatibility: AC3D excels in its ability to import and export files from other 3D modeling programs like 3D Studio, Lightwave, and Povray. This feature ensures that users can easily collaborate with different software without losing their work. The support for various formats also means greater flexibility when working on complex projects. - Polygon Editing Capabilities: Users can edit polygons and vertex lines within AC3D, allowing for precise control over 3D models. While the number of polygons is somewhat limited, the software compensates by enabling multiple operations on individual vertices or groups. This feature is essential for creating intricate designs. - Antialiasing Effects: AC3D allows users to apply antialiasing effects to soften the edges of rendered images. This feature enhances the overall appearance of 3D models by reducing visual artifacts that can occur during rendering. The resulting images look smoother and more professional, making it an excellent choice for polished presentations. - Advanced Lighting Options: With AC3D, you can incorporate up to seven different light sources into your scenes. This capability adds depth and realism to your 3D models by simulating how light interacts with various surfaces. Users can customize these light origins to achieve different moods and effects in their designs. - Texture Rendering: AC3D supports the rendering of models along with their textures, which is crucial for achieving realistic visuals. Users can apply various materials to their 3D objects, enhancing their aesthetic appeal. This feature is particularly beneficial for artists looking to create immersive environments or detailed product visualizations. Release Date of AC3D 2009-04-02Reviewed by Jason K. Menard

Tutorial: written by: Marko Mamula Last Updated 02/FEB/2022 This is a simple guide/ tutorial on how to create, texture, and export objects for X-Plane using AC3D or Blender, and import them into X-Plane using Planemaker.I created this as a side-by-side comparison of the whole process in AC3D and in Blender.This tutorial will hopefully make it much easier for anyone to transition from AC3D to Blender or the other way around. Why I made this tutorialI have been using AC3D since day 1 of my development years (2013). After finding out that the official exporter for X-Plane 12 by Laminar Research will be developed for Blender only, I am now finally forced to learn how to use it myself.I now have to go through the tutorials and posts online to figure things for myself, and it’s been pretty challenging. I started documenting the process and I realized that this could be really helpful to many others.Therefore I decided to create a simple step-by-step guide that I wish already existed. At some point, I will hopefully also make videos that will show describe this process as well.Let’s start by the simple question that was asked a million times already:Should you use AC3D or Blender?I’ll make this very easy for you. If you are just starting and deciding if you should start with AC3D or Blender, DEFINITELY PICK BLENDER. AC3DAC3D is a dinosaur of 3D softwares. It’s been around since 1994, and unfortunately, it seems it has not changed that much since then. Over the years it has been mainly used for creating 3D assets (3D models) for flight simulators, most notably X-Plane. But due to this limited use, it hasn’t evolved into a complex software. BlenderBlender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software toolset used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed models, motion graphics, interactive 3D applications, virtual reality, and computer games.I am amazed to see what people are able to do with Blender. So if you need to invest your time to learn a 3D software, learning Blender makes so much more sense since you can