Amapi

Last updated
Amapi
Original author(s) Yonowat S. A., Laurent Billy and Jean-Marc Noirot-Cosson
Developer(s) Smith Micro
Initial release 1993;25 years ago (1993)
Last release
v 7.5 / August 18, 2006;11 years ago (2006-08-18) [1]
Written in C++
Type 3D computer graphics
License Proprietary commercial software

Amapi was a 3D modeler created by Yonowat S.A. that incorporates both polygonal modeling and NURBS surface modeling. Amapi was used to create models for industrial design, architecture, interior design, furniture, exhibit design, packaging, bottling, illustration, video games and multimedia. The name of both the company and the software originate from a common saying by the cartoon character Droopy: "You know what? I'm happy.".

Contents

Amapi offered an original interface compared to other contemporary modeling software. The software divided modeling into three main activities: construction, modeling, and assembly. Switching between these three activities was accomplished by swiping the cursor against the right hand side of the screen, an example of a gestural user interface.

Pointing device gesture user interface, input method

In computing, a pointing device gesture or mouse gesture is a way of combining pointing device or finger movements and clicks that the software recognizes as a specific computer event and responds in a manner particular to that software. They can be useful for people who have difficulties typing on a keyboard. For example, in a web browser, a user can navigate to the previously viewed page by pressing the right pointing device button, moving the pointing device briefly to the left, then releasing the button.

History

Originally developed by Yonowat S.A. in 1993, Amapi was sold to Template Graphics Software in 1997. [2] TGS developed and sold the software under its Eovia brand. [3] In 2006, Eovia sold the Carrara and Amapi based Hexagon software products to DAZ 3D, while Amapi was sold to e frontier. [4] In 2007, e frontier closed its French offices and dissolved the Amapi team. [5] In 2008, e frontier sold the Amapi asset to Smith Micro. [6] Smith Micro sold version 7.5 of Amapi Pro for a few years on its web site, but apparently did not continue to develop the software. The software is no longer listed for sale by Smith Micro.

The Eovia Corporation was founded in November 2000, with offices in both the US and France. The company's 3D computer graphics software products were aimed towards professional and amateur artists with a focus on remaining accessible in price and usability.

Carrara (software) 3D rendering software

Carrara is a full-featured 3D computer graphics application featuring figure posing and editing, as well as nature modeling, in addition to traditional modeling, animation, texturing and rendering. The software is also capable of dynamic hair and fur simulations, particle effects, soft body and rigid body dynamics. Carrara is now owned and developed by DAZ 3D. Carrara is compatible with Poser and DAZ format 3D figures and props. It is further supported by a number of 3rd party plug-ins and add-ons.

Hexagon (software) software

Hexagon is a subdivision modeler owned by DAZ 3D. It was originally developed and published by Eovia and was acquired shortly before the release of version 2.0 by DAZ in 2006. The software drew heavily on Eovia's other modeler, Amapi, though it omitted the NURBs and precision measuring tools. The main focus is Subdivision modeling but it includes Spline tools and surface tools. Because of the two omissions, it is not as well suited to product design as Amapi, but is aimed more at illustrative and character modeling with an eye to making it accessible for those new to working in 3D.

Version History

VersionPlatformRelease DateNotes
1.0Macintosh, Windows1993Initial Release
4.0 [7] PowerPC Macintosh, WindowsJuly 8, 19983D Text, Texturing
4.1 [8] PowerPC Macintosh, WindowsDecember 2, 1998
4.1.5 [9] PowerPC Macintosh, WindowsFebruary 17, 1999Intel SIMD CPU support
4.15 [10] PowerPC Macintosh, WindowsMay 11, 1999Gordon Surfaces
5.0 [11] [12] PowerPC Macintosh, WindowsJanuary 5, 2000Dynamic Geometry
6.0 [13] PowerPC Macintosh, WindowsJune 9, 2001
7.0 [14] PowerPC Macintosh, WindowsJuly 29, 2003
7.5.1 [15] PowerPC Macintosh, WindowsMarch 14, 2006

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References

  1. ↑ "Amapi Pro 7.5". August 18, 2006. Archived from the original on August 18, 2006. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  2. ↑ "TGS Signs Definitive Letter of Intent to Acquire Yonowat S.A., Maker of Popular Amapi 3D Modeler." August 4, 1997. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Eovia Corporation Ships First Cross Platform Web Export Tool for Viewpoint Format: WebXport 2". July 23, 2002. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  4. ↑ "e frontier Acquires Amapi from Eovia Europe". July 18, 2006. Archived from the original on July 18, 2006. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Good bye e frontier, Good bye Amapi..." July 31, 2007. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Smith Micro Software Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2007 Results". March 5, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  7. ↑ "New Amapi 3D v4.0 From TGS is the Natural Way to Create 3D Models for Electric Image, Form. Z, Softimage, 3D Studio MAX and More". July 8, 1998. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  8. ↑ "TGS Ships New Amapi 3D Modeler; The Natural Way to Create 3D Models for Strata, Electric Image, Form-Z, Softimage, 3D Studio MAX and More". December 2, 1998. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Amapi 3D Modeler Optimized for Intel Pentium III Processor; New Amapi Web Player Provides Lightweight Component for Fast, Interactive Rendering on the Web". February 17, 1999. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  10. ↑ "TGS Releases Amapi 4.15; Includes Improved Gordon Surfaces, Error Recovery, ZAP File Export and more". May 11, 1999. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  11. ↑ "TGS Announces Availability of Amapi 3D v.5 In The U.S.; Unmatched Modeling Features Abound in Newest Release." January 5, 2000. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  12. ↑ "REVIEWS: Amapi 3D 5". April 2000. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Amapi 3D". June 9, 2001. Archived from the original on June 25, 2001. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Immersion Offers SIGGRAPH Attendees Early Look at MOCAP Plug-in for Capturing and Editing Live Animation". July 29, 2003. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Amapi Pro 7.5.1 Updater". March 14, 2006. Archived from the original on March 14, 2006. Retrieved August 2, 2015.


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