Choose Layer > Add Layer > Add Model Layer... to create a new Model layer.
Choose Layer > Attach Layer > Attach Model to active Layer... to attach a new Model layer to the active layer.
The new Model layer can be selected from the Layers listbox to make it the active layer.
With the model layer you can import 3D models created with 3D modelling tools like 3DS MAX, Lightwave and Maya into BluffTitler.
A model is built out of submodels. If the Submodel property is set to 0, all submodels are rendered. If this property is set to X, only submodel X is rendered. This way you can apply a different colour, texture and effect to every submodel.
You can automatically create a separate layer for every submodel by pressing the S key. You can use the container layer to group the submodels by attaching the model to a container layer before unpacking it:
Every submodel can have its own texture. Make sure to place the textures next to the model file.
When you apply a texture to a model layer (by pressing the Change Texture.. button or using the F9 dialog), this texture overrules the texture as defined in the model.
BluffTitler can import 3D models stored in the .x format. This is the standard file format used by DirectX. For most 3D tools, plug-ins have been created to export to this format.
Pandasoft has published a plug-in for 3DS MAX allowing you to save your 3D models as .x files.
3D RAD has published a plug-in for Google SketchUp allowing you to save your 3D models as .x files.
Accutrans software can be used to easily convert common 3D formats to .x.
There are many sites where you can download 3D models.
3D CAD BROWSER offers all its models in the .x format. (choose DirectX ASCII (.x) from the dropdown)
The position of the model.
The rotation of the model.
The point around which the model rotates when animating the Rotation property.
When you press F2 the rotation centre is visualized with cyan, yellow and purple arrows.
The size of the model.
The colour of the model.
The transparency of the model.
The specularity of the model.
A model is built out of submodels. If this property is set to 0, all submodels are rendered. If this property is set to X, only submodel X is rendered. If this property is set to -X, all submodels except X are rendered.
This property can be used to solve sorting problems.
Here's a little story created with two model layers and a picture layer:
On a sunny afternoon in May we were cycling along the Gein river, just outside Amsterdam when suddenly we noticed two bright objects hovering in the sky.
We got off our bikes to have a better look when they started moving towards us.
At first we thought it was a radio controled helicopter or some other sort of hip new flying toy.
When we continued our ride the mysterious objects kept following us. It became clear that this was not a practical joke of some local nerds. We had the feeling that they were trying to communicate.
The things could cover hundreds of meters in the blink of an eye. Then they would go up and down just as fast. The laws of inertia seem not to apply to them.
It was a bright, clear sky so it could not be a meteorological phenomenon. And the way they looked and moved they could not be terrestrial.
They must have come from outer space...