Hi, my only comment re EIM is to echo other remarks that a updated EIM would be great, as long as it doesn’t take any resources away from the development of EIAS.

I can see the value of EIM from a marketing perspective, but I also think it’s wise to build on current strengths. To me one of EIAS’ main strengths (not least in terms of the UI) is the fact that it is a specialised animator/renderer, a much stronger model to my mind than other software which tries to do everything in one shell. While I know EIM isn’t being discussed in terms of direct integration within animator itself, I think its important to focus on improving the current software - eg I’d rather a true MP camera than a new EIM.

If EIM was to restart development with a first release just enabling up-to-Vista and up-to-Leopard-on-Intel compatibility, I’d hope for us to have the opportunity to suggest a few very minor UI changes (the usual ones: mousewheel support for the main toolbar, bringing some view options all too buried into Preferences to some more inmediately accesible place, windows sets, etc.).

I’m an architect who started out on formZ on the Mac.  In my profession the industry standards are now Rhino, SketchUp and with the many recent changes AutoCAD 2008.  Nevertheless I still have the original version of EIM on my computer.  I think it was one of the best modelers out there, right up there with Alias Studio.  Certainly superior to something like SketchUp.

If EI is interested in creating a serious product - as good as the old EIM was - that would be wonderful.  If it’s just going to be another push pull product like Silo - then Never Center already has it.  Not to mention - for my industry - Rhino and Maya.  Granted I’m not a character animator, but those of us who do product and environment design need a serious product that can make complex shapes based on rigorous geometries.  Right now that’s pretty much Rhino or something very, very expensive.
-Deen

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to put my vote and thoughts in on EIM:

1. Yes, bring back Modeler.
2. Yes, it should use ACIS.
3. No, to a version of EIM with only SDS.
4. As a current user of EIAS, I’d prefer to pay under $200 to get EIM.
5. I think customers of version 6.x should get a small price break to get EIM.

Some elaborations on the above:

1. I _love_ EI Modeler.  It has one of the best user interfaces I’ve seen.  It has extremely useful snapping; clearly better snapping features than Silo3d (v2.0).  ie: snap vertex, edge, faces, all of which can be toggled for any combination.  Not to mention all the additional key combinations.

2. One of the most unique features of Modeler is its ability to combine and inter-convert between NURBS and SDS.  I find this feature very compelling and I use it a lot.

3. An SDS-only version of EIM seems to be a waste of resources.  Why not use Silo3d which is inexpensive and well developed?  I’d argue that one should continue to partner with Silo3d, not compete against them.  Does EITG really want to develop soft-selection, topology-brush, and sculpting-brush tools?  And make them even better than Silo3d’s?  How would an SDS-only version of EIM be more compelling that Silo3d?  Personally, I think Modeler’s compelling feature is its ability to do both NURBS and SDS together.

4. I’d prefer to have EIM cost less than $200 to get it… but I can reasonably see its price as being between $200 and $300.  Above $300 may be too much except for a niche market.  Many may just go buy Silo3d and be happy with that.

Other thoughts:  I understand that a lot of people want EIM to be integrated into Animator.  And I can see that that could be really cool (ie: imagine using Xpressionist to generate dynamic geometry...).  However, I personally think it is okay if EIM stays separate.  The added complexity of combining both programs is probably more effort than it is worth at this point in time.

Sincerely,
--ChiralSym

EIM after so many years still remains as one of the best GUIs for artists
It has an extremely intuitive and spontaneous interface for SDS cage modeling
‘IF’ EIAS seriously wants to evolve into a half decent character animation tool, it needs to integrate the SDS toolset (Ubermesh) into EITG.
This I believe is the best way for EITG to develop ‘Smartskin’ like deformation control and other sophisticated character animation developments which are modeler dependent.
(BTW EIAS will also need to develop micropoly displacement capability or at the least provide a seamless pipeline to such apps as ZBrush Bodypaint etc)