Completely new to Amapi (free version) Lots of questions!

[3djam]

Hi, just started with Amapi 6, the free version of Computer Arts. I have tried Strata before (also free) but could not get far... Amapi seems more logical, but is not very easy.
I am missing an option to have the characteristics of an object displayed. You know: height, width, placing etc. Is this available in Amapi?

Then another question: When I am drawing Circles I want them to ly flat on the grid. I understand that this is dependent of the view you are currently working in - am I correct? :?
How do I get the circle to be perfect flat on the ground?

Is the only method to rotate a object, the Rotate tool? Seems obvious, isn't it... But I saw that I had some objects in the wrong view drawn and extruded and could not get them back on their feet with using this tool.

Amapi also seems very buggy to me (I still work with Win 98 - is this different with XP?) is it really worth upgrading in the near future? I am not quite sure if I can really learn this software.

Hope to hear from you all,
Jacqueline

[mayito7777]

If you have money to invest, I will say go for Amapi Pro, it is well worthy. If your income is a little restricted I will say buy Carrara 4 Pro because includes a free copy of Amapi Designer 7. Go to the Eovia website (www.eovia.com)

[laughingnome]

hello 3djam,
yes it is view dependant when you draw a circle.

choose the top view then draw a circle , it should now be flat on the floor, or bottom grid , use the + - to increase the number of points.
(top veiw is 5)

to display the object properties box just double click on the object.
(left click)

stu

[3djam]

Thank you! I understand it now. I try to excercise almost everyday in Amapi and I am beginning to think that I can actually learn this software...

When drawing a circle in Top View (key 5), the circle does ly flat, but it does not ly on the ground. Mostly it floats above it (I do not use the workbench - have set this in preferences).
The information about the object is shown in that window as you showed it here, but I cannot edit these numbers, don't I? So I can only try to move it manually to the ground - or am I missing something that can be found in the manual?

I think that Amapi is a wonderful program, but the awful manual will put a lot of people off, I guess. A pity that Eovia has also closed their server which contained their own Amapi 6 tutorials. All those Computer Arts and 3D World readers will really have to try very hard to make the software work...

Jacqueline

[laughingnome]

hello 3djam,
the best way to edit a circle or drawn polyline is to use the scale tool,the numerical input box should appear at the bottom left of your workspace,use the tab key and enter any values you wish.

the same applies when you create a circle a numerical input box should appear at the bottom left ,use that to set the radius of the circle.


cheers
stu

[Shonner]

Eovia's Amapi 6 tutorials are back online.

[3djam]

THank you all. I did found Shonners tutorials already! Laughinggnome: you can edit the size etc. of the object in the windows, but not the placing. But maybe I am asking too much...

Jacqueline