3D Rad

3D Rad is a freeware development tool used to create 3D games, interactive 3D applications and physics-based simulations for Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7. Works created with 3D Rad can be delivered to the final user as stand-alone applications or web-based applets.
3D Rad is based on a collection of components (called 'objects') that can be combined and configured to interact in various ways. Without writing any code, goals like opening a door when a character approaches or avoiding obstacles with a car while following a race track can be achieved.Physics is mostly built-in, with collision detection between objects, forces, and airfoils.

Visual editing is entirely mouse-driven. Object types that have 3D geometry (meshes, physics-enabled objects (RigidBodies etc.)) can be visually positioned and moved in a preview of the scene. Other object types such as forces, joints, springs and airfoils can also be visually configured by, for example, rotating a force vector or setting joint locations and axes. Visual editing is also supported for certain event-objects that have a 3-dimensional "position", the location event (EventOnLocation) for example.
3D File Format
3D Rad uses 3D models in DirectX file format (.x file extension). Supported texture formats are BMP, JPG, DDS, PNG, TGA. 3D animations can be bone (skeletal) based or frame-by-frame based. Multiple animation sets, being switched between run-time, are supported.The projects in saved as 3dr (3d rad project).
Rendering
The object type "SkinMesh" is the primary means by which user-created 3D models, from terrains to animated characters, can be rendered by using a set of integrated shaders or certain custom shaders that the user can write using scripts. Effects like reflection, refraction, glow, and bump mapping can be enabled for a SkinMesh by selecting a shader from a drop down list and/or setting numeric parameters on the property dialog. The lighting model supports directional light, point lights, per-pixel shading, volumetric shadows, light-maps, shadow-maps and fog. Post-processing effects like bloom, blur, can be enabled by configuring camera objects. A variety of special effects such as fire, smoke, lens flares or animated water are can be created with specialized object types (e.g. particle emitters, sprites) that are usually combined with user-created meshes or images.
Artificial Intelligence
CPU controlled cars are supported as special objects that can be connected to virtual cars, which can be created by inserting a built-in car object. Simple character A.I. and pathfinding can be achieved by configuring objects. More complex AI can be implemented using scripts.
Network and Multiplayer
3D Rad supports a complete set of network functions (via scripting) that can be used in real-time on a remotely connected PC, a simulation processed on the local machine, to exchange textual strings between connected computers, to download artwork from a remote server and implement generic multiplayer functions.
Sound Effects and Music
Sound files in .wav or .ogg format can be either used in 3D sound emitters in virtual space or as 'global' stereo sounds typically used for background music and interface sfx.
Addons
Combinations of objects in 3D Rad can be exported as addons, which can be imported into other projects, They could also be published or sent to other users.They could be used to quickly create complex or time-consuming objects, such as aircraft or ragdolls.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu