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Topmod Camera, How do you move it about on the screen

Retro LadRetro Lad Posts: 471
edited April 2019 in The Commons

I recently downloaded the latest version of Topmod modeler. My question is, how do you move the camera about in the Topmod window. One website says hold the "option" key down and then use the mouse buttons. Well, I am using a PC computer with Windows so the Mac "option" key is Control. I pressed the Control down while using the mouse buttons at the same time, and nothing happens.

It seems that Topmod has been thrown onto the scrapheap of digital modeling history. Finding an easy set of 1, 2, 3 instuctions videos on how to use the free program has been very frustrating, Most of the instruction videos are scattered all over the place, and very old too.

A pdf Topmod Manual that explains the working of the program would be very helpful. but the few manuals that I found for Topmod were all about topological modeling theory and nothing about how to use the modeling program itself.

Very frustrating. HELP

 

Post edited by Retro Lad on

Comments

  • McGyverMcGyver Posts: 7,085
    edited April 2019

    I have version 2.5 installed, I’m not sure how old that is, but I don’t think much has been done to TopMod for quite a while, so I’m assuming that’s the most current version.

    It took me a while to find it on my computer, but as far as I can tell, it’s pretty straight forward as long as you have a scrolling mouse... 

    To Zoom  In/Out : Scroll center mouse button.   Or  hold Alt (key) and + (key) for zoom in,  or - (key) to zoom out

    To Orbit Model : Depress center mouse button and drag mouse.

    If your poor rodent is bereft of a Center Mouse Button, you can use the Alt key in place of a CMB. (Sorry I had to edit that, I previously wrote the wrong key)

     

    I’m still trying to figure out how to pan the camera, I’ll get back to you when I got that figured out...

    Good luck for now.

     

    I gave it about a half an hour poking and prodding and I couldn’t figure out how the hell to pan... I did manage to crash it twice though... so I’ve got that...  I thought I did it once, but maybe not... I found a video on YouTube about this program, but it seems it’s for an older version...

    https://youtu.be/Tj4_-vg31LE

    The way it instructs to Pan the camera, doesn’t work for me... Lies! All lies!

    Uh, anyway... I tried a bunch of logical button combinations and it didn’t work, so you are on your own now.

    Good luck.

     

    Post edited by McGyver on
  • Retro LadRetro Lad Posts: 471
    edited April 2019

    McGyver,

    Funny.

    My rodent has two buttons, and a center wheel. I depressed the center wheel and dragged the mouse about. Nothing happened. So I tried pressing the Alt key and the center wheel at the same time and "Bingo".

    To "orbit" about press the Alt key and the Left mouse button at the same time. To "Pan" press the Alt key and the center mouse and drag the mouse.

    I have been busy learning how to use the latest version of Wings3d, and watching a video that used both Wings and Topmod made me curious about Topmod. From what I can gather Topmod's last update was in 2007. Wings seems to be able to do all, or at least most, of what Topmod can do

    My financial situation is terrible, so I am using as many free "open source" programs as I can. Krita stunned me. It's as good as my older Painter software in many ways. And I read that Blender is finally becoming "user friendly" using a Modo like interface and finally getting away from their obsession with key shortcuts that require a photographic memory.

    Happy Easter

     

     

    Post edited by Retro Lad on
  • McGyverMcGyver Posts: 7,085

    Ah, yes, I’m quite familiar with the lack of that green stuff humans trade for items and popularity... “Cash” I believe it is called... 

    Well, feel free to peruse my weird collection of freebies at ShareCG (click the link in the banner below), you’ll need to register at ShareCG, but it’s free and painless (unless you fall out of your chair like did, while registering)... There are loads of much better items there than my stuff, but it’s great to get you going...

    And if you aren’t so much into the rendering and more into the making of stuff, like doing your own models and what not, then here is a great link to a thread at the Zbrush forums which includes piles of free software... I think that link brings you in around page 102, so check it all out beginning to end and check back frequently to see what’s new... 

    http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?19484-Other-free-applications-discussion-thread/page102&s=82ff4226476178e584cb777c6755a74c 

    Boy that seems an awfully long link... better people could have probably posted that better... but not I.

    In regards to Blender, there is a version called “B For Artists” or something like that, it’s a simplified version designed to make it friendlier for beginners or people just looking to model... I’d include a link, but I’m on my iPad somewhere outside, but it should be easy enough to find... anyhooz, good luck and see yah around.

  • AscaniaAscania Posts: 1,855

    https://web.archive.org/web/20071011102959/http://topmod3d.org/wiki/index.php?title=Reference/HotKeys

  • Retro LadRetro Lad Posts: 471

    Thanks Ascania

    Anyone know of a website that has a history, and bio, of Topmod from it's birth to it's present condition?

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