Simply 3D 3.0 (1-user)

by Micrografx

Product Features

• Simply 3D

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00003PNLB
• Item model number: SD1L30ENG
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 10, 2002
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,751 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #81 in Software > Graphics > 3-D
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

For new Windows-based video and Web designers in need of 3-D graphics, Simply 3D from Micrografx might be just the tool the designer ordered to set your work apart from the crowd. While not the most sophisticated of 3-D graphics and animation tools, it features a relatively easy-to-use interface and a large library of objects. Also included in the package are materials, lighting presets, animation presets, and the ability to export as either an AVI movie or an animated GIF file. (The standard array of JPG, BMP, and other single-frame image formats are also choices.)

Simply 3D features a ray-tracing render engine capable of reflective and refractive light properties, and the included material presets are fairly extensive. They include a wide variety of light and glasslike object materials, which nicely showcase the ray-trace renderer. The materials can be edited and tweaked to suit, as well. Other materials include woods, metals, organic textures, background images, and stones. In addition, this package is ideal for 3-D logos and text. It can import and extrude 2-D shapes, as well as create beveled text based on fonts installed in the system.

The speed of the rendered, interactive display is impressive. By utilizing Microsoft's Direct3D for screen drawing and by keeping the camera window small, Simply 3D is able to rotate, move, and scale objects in real time, fully shaded and textured. Note that this is only available in the camera view, and feedback is slower if the window is scaled to full screen. Still, it is an excellent aid when composing the objects and lighting in a scene.

Over 1800 assorted prebuilt objects and textures are included, which helps offset the rudimentary modeler. Happily, the publisher doesn't sell this application as something that it isn't--you won't be creating the next digitally animated masterpiece with it--but it's perfectly capable of meeting the needs of the majority of industrial-level computer graphics work. Like any tool, it is capable of more as you learn the limits and how to work around them, but as with any tool, there is a limit to how far you can go. For the money, this is an excellent utility for basic work. --Mike Caputo

Product Description

Shows some signs of wear. Box shows significant signs of wear.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars surprisingly easy to use, January 7, 2000

By 

CA (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simply 3D 3.0 (1-user) (CD-ROM)

I'm still learning the features of this product but was able to create some pretty impressive effects in just a few minutes. This product is surprisingly easy to use and intuitive. At first if was intimidating because of the 4 views, but the wizard feature allows the user to be creative or just use the templates. I only looked at the documentation today first time, and realize there are many other features yet to use. I would highly recommend this product to professionals as well as those who, like myself, are new to graphics and animation (and somewhat intimidated by complex graphics software). The documentation is also clear and consise. It saves time when trying to do animation, lighting effects, and logos.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Beginners, August 2, 2001

By 

Thomas "tomsde" (Newark, DE, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Simply 3D 3.0 (1-user) (CD-ROM)

Simply 3D is a good program for beginners in that it has many templates and wizards to assist new users. Perhaps this is why the program comes with such poor documentation. The manual that comes with the software is mostly a series of tutorials geared to creating business related web graphics. The online help system gives bare bone information about program features, but lacks detailed information about more advanced modeling techniques. A book that may help a user get more out of this software is Getting Started With 3D, by Janet Ashford and John Odam, which explains 3D software terminology and techniques and isn't software specific. Although geared to the graphic artist and student, this book can also be an asset to the imaging hobbiest.

So if your looking for a program to create web graphics, indoor still life images, or backdrops for other 3D models this program offers a good value for the money. Advanced users would most likely be frustrated by the programs lack of export capabilities, making it harder to use it with other 3D applications and from what I see it's import capabilities are also somewhat lacking. Images from various programs can, however, be combined in 2D programs like Photoshop post production. If you are looking for something easy to produce impressive web graphics or a good program for someone who isn't sure they will like working with 3D graphics and want to try it, Simply 3D may be your most economical answer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Software, April 26, 2001

By 

bullz (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simply 3D 3.0 (1-user) (CD-ROM)

Simply 3D is just that - simple. This wonderful program allows it's users to created 3D graphics and animations for the web or presentations with just a few clicks of their mouse. Simply 3D also comes with a text editor and a variety of different clip art and patterns. A truly great program for those with little experience in 3D graphics.