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NVil(1.0) Released

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Finally, after more than two and half years, NVil 1.0, formerly known as VoidWorld, is released. It is a pay program now. The features are pretty much complete and the program is stable.
Many thanks to every one who has any support or contribution to the development of this software!
The development will still be kept going whenever is possible. There are still plenty of rooms for improvement.

http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-05-13.rar

Summary of changes:

* Setting Files are located in C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\DigitalFossils\NVil\User Settings. To retain your existing settings, you can move all your setting files from C:\Users\UserName\Documents\DigitalFossils\VoidWorld\User Settings.
* View > Windows > Appearance > Toggle All Window Caption Visible/ Toggle Active Window Caption Visible.
* Selection > Cycle Up/Down Preset Soft Selection Shape. Whenever 'Increase/Decrease Soft Selection' fallout command is executed, if 'StreamLine Tool Option Cycler' hotkey(default: Space) is pressed down, the program will fire 'Cycle Up/Down Preset Soft Selection Shape' command instead. This makes it possible for the two commands to share the same hotkey.

Thanks!

----

For those who don't know this software:

NVil, aka VoidWorld, is a pure modeling tool. Two and half years ago, I made my first post on this forum and got feedback that an uptodate moeling tool is needed. The tool should provide better work flow, better toolsets and of course stable. Since then the development was turned into this direction and most of the implementations are based on feedbacks and requests from users.

If you are interested, here is the original thread
http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74005

Replies

  • Stromberg90
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    Stromberg90 polycounter lvl 11
    I have to say this is quite cool, seemed like a solid program the little I have used it.
    However this is a paid program no.
    And from what I have seen not many people seem to know about it or use it.

    So maybe it would be better to keep it free or in beta until you gather more of a following, I don't know, just my 2 cents.
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-06-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * A bug On registration detecting in 'Save To File' operation through shortcut key is fixed.
    Thanks!

    Stromberg90: Thanks for the comment. I don't know either. I have no idea how many people are using it.
  • passerby
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    passerby polycounter lvl 12
    ya would have been nice if the server required a email address or some kinda of identifier to download, nvil and tracked it from day 1 in a db, than you could track how many downloads there are and how many people return to keep it up to date.
  • Dataday
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    Dataday polycounter lvl 8
    The only time I see it mentioned in other forums, its still called Voidworld. Seem's that the general user base or those who play around with it havent adapted a name change yet...and this could be a problem when you are trying to sell nvil, as well as get it known.

    I have also heard some joke about nvil sounding too much like evil when saying the name in english. Naming convention wise, it might be harder to market. Voidworld is more catchy in that regard.

    Just my opinion but I would recommend leaving it free for non-commercial use until it takes off, and having a commercial use license cost money.

    You want to encourage artist to model and show off work done in VW/NVil, upload it on youtube and generate a bit of word of mouth.

    I would hate to see your efforts go unnoticed.
  • IStonia
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    Dataday,

    Thanks for the kind words and advice.

    The naming has been discussed long time ago. It is not easy to get a good name. If you search VoidWorld on the net, you will find a lot of naked women pictures.

    The reason I make it commercial now is to get support to keep the project going. I know it is a risky move.

    I am not an artist, so I am not a right person to produce the introduction or tutorial videos. Currently there is some discussion about this in the forum. Hopefully something good may come out.
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-10-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * Some bug fixings.
    * Brush tool 'Pinch' and 'Extend' is added. They are available both in basic streamline tools and vertex visual 'Tweak' tool.
    * View > Viewport Layout. Still some improvements are WIP.
    Thanks!
  • Sage
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    Sage polycounter lvl 19
    you should of called it voidworld 3d.... just saying. :D
  • dpaynter26
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    dpaynter26 polycounter lvl 11
    So there's no free way to try out this program?
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-15-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * Viewport layout is improved. When swithing to another layout, settings for current layout will be saved and will be used to restore when switch back.
    * Edit > Options > General > Load viewport layout from file.
    * Viewport context menu > Cycle Camera.
    * Brush tool 'Pinch' and 'Extend' are added. Available in both basic streamline tools and the vertex visual tool 'Tweak'.
    * Some more HUD contents. View > Display > Heads Up Display >...
    * A new basic streamline tool, 'Spline_Polygon'. Create polygons from spline profile.
    * Some bug fixings.
    Thanks!

    Sage: Thanks for the suggestion. I think it's too late for another naming discussion.

    dpaynte26: The last VoidWorld update is still available for free use.
  • Quack!
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    Quack! polycounter lvl 17
    I would recommend trying to get this on steam asap.

    Great commitment to the program, hope you succeed!
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-16-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * A bug in view rotation snap in previous version is fixed. It may cause crash in some cases.
    Thanks!
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-18-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * To scale selection uniformly by value input, press down 'Ctrl' key before applying the input value.
    * Edge loop cut tool is improved. If only cut through selected edges, the selected edges will be used to control loop flow. For detail, see Help > StreamLine Tools > Streamline Basic Tool Specifications > Edge Tools.
    * View > Display > Heads Up Display > Show Manipulation Data.
    * Edit > Preference > Options > Clear viewport layout on New Scene.
    * 'View Spin Snap' is improved.
    * A bug in 'Edge_Loop_Cut/Slide_MaintainCurvature' tool is fixed.
    * A bug in 'Fill Jagged Border Edges' command is fixed.
    * 'New Scene" is available in tool hotkey editor.
    Thanks!
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-19-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * Executing 'New Scene' from top menu did not work in previous update.
    * A bug in polygon create undo is fixed.
    * 'Polygon Optimizing' is automatically performed in 'Create polygon from clicked points' operation.
    Thanks!
  • Electro
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    Electro polycounter lvl 18
    The website needs some media (videos would be great!), and your signature needs a direct link to the website. I had to go looking for the website.
  • WarrenM
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    Totally agreed. The website needs ... SOMETHING. :) Right now I barely know what I'm going to be downloading. The single screenshot on it doesn't even get larger if you click it.
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-20-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * Shift and Ctrl keys can be used for angle constraint for streamline Cut tool even if it is activated from no key.
    * View > Display > Heads Up Display > Show Object Scale.
    * Some other bug fixings and improvement.
    Thanks!

    Electro, WarrenM: Thanks for trying! I know the website should have some usefull contents. But I just feel my arms too short.
  • Stromberg90
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    Stromberg90 polycounter lvl 11
    You should find a 3D artist to team up with, that could do some intro videos and such for the program.
    Cause it's not a bad program you got here.
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-23-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * A new polygon visual tool 'Chamfer'. Also a few related basic streamline tools.
    * Object mode > Geometry > Reset Object Scale.
    * Object mode > Geometry > Reset Object Selection Orientation/Position.
    * Edit > Options > Scaling Options > Manipulator Space Object Scaling Disabled. By default, scaling objects in scene is manipulator space based and object scale factor remain unchanged. If this options is on, scaling will work on each object's individual space and object's scale factor will be modified. But object's location scaling will still be manipulator space based. The purpose of this option is to provide a way to adjust object scale factor in the scene.
    * Edit > Options > Scaling Options > Scaling Styles > Incremental/Iterate/Relative.
    * Manipulator > Orientation/Position > Cycle Up/Down.
    * Some bug fixings and imporvements.
    Thanks!

    Stromberg90: Thanks for the good suggestion!
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-24-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * A conext menu is added to 'Object List' view.
    * Some bug fixings.
    Thanks!
  • xXm0RpH3usXx
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    xXm0RpH3usXx polycounter lvl 13
    i am missing some positive advertising of your product.
    look at these two sites:

    http://www.allegorithmic.com/products/substance-designer
    http://quixel.se/ndo/

    On these two sites you have big shots of the application and some text next to it, highlighting what the product can and what not.

    right now the only information on your site is that you are a bunch of hobby programmers that arent good at makign art and thus wanted to make a product for other people, that are on the same level.
    (also, its spelled "Voil
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-25-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * 'Inverse selection' and 'Relax Selection' commands work on spline vertices.
    * Radial menu can be activated from 'SmartTip'.
    * Some bug fixings.
    Thanks!

    xXm0RpH3usXx : Thanks for the kind words and suggestions! Because bug reports and feature requests just keep pouring in, I hardly have time to think about them. But surely I will keep them in mind.
  • Shrike
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    Shrike interpolator
    How about a summary on the first post what the program does. You cant expect everyone to see your thread and know what your program is.
  • IStonia
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    Shrike wrote: »
    How about a summary on the first post what the program does. You cant expect everyone to see your thread and know what your program is.

    Good point! I've done that.
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Feb-28-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * Tool list collapse/expand abilities are added to key editor.
    * Basic streamline tool list view is changed to tree view.
    * Tool list view in radial menu setting form is changed to tree view.
    * Some bug fixings.
    Thanks!
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Mar-01-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * Rotation manipulator behaviour is improved to conform to other apps.
    * An instance related bug is fixed.
    Thanks!
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Mar-04-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * There was a vital bug in the last two updates. Hotkey settings for collapsed/hidden tools will be lost if try to set new hotkey setting.
    * Some other bug fixings.
    * Radial menu items now have rounded corners.
    * Streamline tool list view is changed to tree view for easy organizing.
    Thanks!
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Mar-05-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * Check boxes are added to 'Object Group' tree view, so commands can be executed on multiple nodes at the same time.
    * Edit > Preference > Options > Auto select unhidden objects.
    * A vertex weld bug is fixed.
    Thanks!
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Mar-07-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * Radial menu list view is replaced by a tree view.
    * New functionalities are added to the cut tool. If the mesh is not subdivided, to slice vertically/Horizotally/X, press down Shift key additionally, to cut with angle constraint using Angle Step setting value, press down Ctrl key additionally.
    Thanks!
  • Michael Knubben
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    I love the click-drag functionality in the cut tool, but I wonder if it's possible to have it be more flexible in use. Right now you have the click-drag from the beginning or not at all. If you've made an arbritary cut yourself and then click-drag it doesn't work, can this be changed or is that a technical constraints?
  • Michael Knubben
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    Haha, I ran into an amusing thing. Open the radial menu, and then press alt-tab :D
  • D4V1DC
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    D4V1DC polycounter lvl 18
    Needs some videos, shouldn't be too hard pop an account on youtube show it off.
    Also will bring more attention to your application when you do.

    I am interested in seeing more, haven't downloaded this yet, pretty much waiting for some vids, thanks & good luck.
  • Michael Knubben
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    Sorry if I'm burying you under an avalanche of bug reports/feature requests again, but I'm finally using it intensively at work again for the first time in a while.
    I worked on my user window at home and ported the appdata/roaming/digitalfossils/nvil folder over from my home pc to my workstation, and it's not reflecting the changes I made. Perhaps it's because I gave a few things icons and it's not finding them on the new pc (although I also ported those over), because it did work the other way around yesterday.

    Here's a link to my user folder (with early icons, if anyone wants to take a look): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ikxc1ji05cpdpyg/_Uj2aPXfhe/NVil
  • Michael Knubben
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    I'm also running into a problem where some tools don't always work on highlighted selection.m I have 'realtime selection' turned on,
    Here's me trying to bevel highlighted elements, you can see it working fine on faces and vertices, but on edges it fails:
    VW_realtime.gif

    edit: I wouldn't mind recording some gifs for the website, by the way. Polyboost had them on their website, and I found it a really pleasant way of showing off the functionality.
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Mar-08-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * Cut tool is improved. The operation can carry on between Click-Cut and Drag-Cut without disruption.
    * Three minor bugs are fixed.
    Thanks!

    MightyPea: The edge highlight bug is fixed. As to the file folder address problem, I can't exactly tell what's wrong. Maybe you put them into the wrong place. One way to check that is to delete the 'User Settings' folder, restart the app. The app will create a new 'User Settings' folder once you close it. Then see wheather a new 'User Settings' folder is created at the place you expected. Make sure the 'AppData' folder is under your pc account.

    D4V1DC: Sorry for the lack of media. I am not sure what kind of video people would expect. Since I have just improved the cut tool, so I made a video about this tool. Hopefully this kind of videos are helpfull.

    http://youtu.be/hS33KfBfEV0

    Steps:
    1. Preparation
    Turn on vertex snapping option. Set angle stepping value to 0.
    2. Perform fist cut.
    Move the cursor over to a polygon. Click LMB. Move cursor over to another polygon. Press down LMB and hold to keep LMB down.
    3. Perform drag cuts
    Drag LMB over a number of edges to cut through them. Release LMB at the last edge.
    4. Perform a short click cut.
    Move cursor into a nearby polygon. Click LMB.
    5. Perform Horizontal Cut
    Move the cursor to another polygon on the right. While doing this, press down and hold Shift key to keep the cut line horizontal. Click LMB.
    6. Perform Vertical Cut
    While Shift key is still pressed down, Move the cursor down to a polygon at the bottom. Click LMB.
    7. Perform another horizontal cut.
    Move The cursor to the right. Rlease Shift key and press down and hold Ctrl key. Since angle stepping value is set to 0, the Ctrl key will keep the cut line horizontal regardless the position of the cursor. Move the cursor over to a vertex to use vertex snapping to constrain the cut line stop position. This is to ensure a perfect vertical cut at the next step. Click LMB.
    8. Final cut
    Release Ctrl key to release the angle constraint. Move the cursor to the vertex previously used for snapping. Click RMB to confirm cut and exit the operation.
  • WarrenM
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    IStonia

    I think what people are after when they ask for videos and stuff is they're looking for a reason to try your program. Your web site offers nothing but a download link.

    Look at Blender.org. It's colorful, full of information, and the second link at the top left is to a gallery.

    Put yourself in the users shoes ... I'm a modo user. I see someone mention your modeling app so I go to your web site to see what's up. What will motivate me to download it? A small screen shot that doesn't even expand to something larger and a tiny download link hidden at the top.

    I dunno ... it might be the greatest app in the world but time is money. There's not even a tutorial section where I can at least get a sense of the app or how it works.
  • IStonia
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    Hi Warren,

    Your are absolutely right. Bacause the app has been in a state that it gets changed very quickly so it has not been a good time to make videos or tutorials about it because they may get outdated in no time.
    Now it seems things are pretty much settled down, so I will spend some to figure out how do about it.
  • xXm0RpH3usXx
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    xXm0RpH3usXx polycounter lvl 13
    I like the cutting video, though. a good step in the right direction.

    maybe you could however incorporate your steps into the video. either with apps like aftereffects/premiere or with the youtube boxes where you can overlay texts on your video.

    i find it quite hard to synchronize what you are doing and how you do it (which step in the list we are at)

    or maybe record some sound for it. you could even go so far and put some music loop underneath it: http://www.uniquetracks.com/Free-Music-Loops.html

    also, maybe a short intro animation would be awesome (with a logo made in nvil, maybe?! :P)
  • WarrenM
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    IStonia wrote: »
    Hi Warren,

    Your are absolutely right. Bacause the app has been in a state that it gets changed very quickly so it has not been a good time to make videos or tutorials about it because they may get outdated in no time.
    Now it seems things are pretty much settled down, so I will spend some to figure out how do about it.
    And please don't get the idea that I'm dumping on you for no reason ... I just hate to see the amount of work you've done on this app go to waste over something as simple as having an informative web page. :) That's all!
  • Stromberg90
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    Stromberg90 polycounter lvl 11
    I'm with Warren here, I personally don't plan changing my modeling app, but I would not like to see a good program go unnoticed.

    When I tried the program I had little to no problems figuring out how to use the tools and that's pretty solid in itself :)
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Mar-10-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * View > Display > Show Viewport Corner Gadgets. There are four view gadgets in the four viewport corners for 'Best fit', 'Rotation/Pan/Zoom', 'Snap View' and 'Min/Maximize'. They are customizable, Edit > Preference > General > Viewport Corner Gadget Settings.
    * Some bug fixings.
    Thanks!

    Very sorry guys! Still haven't got time for the video stuff. But I will definitely work on it asap.
  • Michael Knubben
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    Glad to see parts of my design sneaking their way in :D
    Here's a sneak peek at some icons:
    vw_icons.png
    I think I've got the basic style (flat shapes, no shading, three colours) figured out, now it's time to figure out what to do for each tool. Any suggestions are more than welcome!

    edit: I did copy the right files, by the way. I just copied my user dir, which has worked in the past, but this time it only carried across parts of my settings. I believe everything was there except for the user tools, so perhaps this is related to the icons?

    I just overwrite my user dir at work, I didn't load anything through the menus.
  • Michael Knubben
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    I tried again today and it worked. Not sure what fixed it, but if it happens again I'll try to pay attention.
    I remember asking before, but was it possible at all to make a portable version? I'd love to just keep my nvil install entirely on dropbox or a usb stick, settings and all.
  • Michael Knubben
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    I'd like to set up a new hotkey/streamline tool, and I'm not sure if it's even possible:
    I'd like tab to open a radial menu when held, but switch between object mode and (whatever subobject mode was last used) when you tap it.

    There are a few other ideas I have for something like this (a kind fo maya-like spacebar menu, with a tap of the spacebar doing something else (I've got it set to deselect right now).
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Mar-12-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * 'Measure line screen angle' is added to 'Measure' tool.
    * A vertex rendering bug is fixed. In previous updates, if object scale is not 1, vertices may not be rendered properly and may be hidden behind edges.
    * Some main menu reorganizing. 'Edit > Options > Transform Value Display Options' is move to > 'View > Display >'. 'Edit > Options > Radial Menu Options/Show Instant Help/Smart Tip Options' are moved to 'View > Tool Helper Options > '.
    * Portable settings feature is added. To do that, create a folder with the exact name of "NVil Portable User Settings" in your removable drive, USB drive, and fill it with your existing setting files. The new folder can be nested inside a parent folder, but no more than 5 level deep, this is due to performance consideration. When the app reads or writes, if this folder is detected, it will be used instead of the default folder which is, C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\DigitalFossils\NVil\User Settings.
    Thanks!

    Some tutorials are underway. Hopefully it won't take long.

    MightyPea: I can't do the Drop-Box one. But I have done the USB Drive one. Please let me know how it works.
  • xXm0RpH3usXx
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    xXm0RpH3usXx polycounter lvl 13
    i really like the design idea! maybe make the background darker, so the individual buttons pop out more.

    are these only for yout tools palette? or will this be a nvil wide thing?
  • Michael Knubben
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    morpheus: thanks! The tool panel's just for now, they're meant to be for the entire app if I ever get around to it!
    Colours are temporary, I'm keeping everything as vectors for now so I can easily keep tweaking colours and shapes as I go along.

    Here are some example animations of stuff in nvil, something like this for the website perhaps?

    vw_highlightsticky.gif
    vw_repeat.gif
    vw_axismove.gif
    vw_bridge.gif
  • passerby
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    passerby polycounter lvl 12
    ya those would be great, i could put them on the site, in maybe a new features section when i have some time from work later next week.

    since they really show off the pre-seleciton, and the use last value features very well.

    Can you make one for the Edge_DoubleLoop_Cut/Slide
  • xXm0RpH3usXx
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    xXm0RpH3usXx polycounter lvl 13
    i did a little search, dont take my word, i am no product designer, but i think some color would break up your interface. i found this site, where i found a nice color palette, which i think would work great: http://www.colorcombos.com/color-schemes/10/ColorCombo10.html
    maybe dont make the background really black, but just really dark grey?

    something like here: http://templates.entheosweb.com/template_number/43000/43083-joom-b.jpg

    and here: http://templates.entheosweb.com/template_number/26100/26103-bswi.jpg

    nice gifs! :)
  • fatihG_
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    fatihG_ polycounter lvl 14
    If colours are going to be used for the GUI.. it obviously needs to be polygreen. =D

    This looks interesting, will give it a whirl soon. =]
  • IStonia
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    New Update
    http://www.digitalfossils.com/Download/NVil-Mar-13-13.rar

    Summary of changes:
    * Edit > Preference > Special Options > "NVil Portable User Settings" folder search enabled. This option may cause slow NVil startup and closing in some hardware configuration, eg. some external devices like sanners printers etc.
    This option is registered on individual PC and must be set on each individual PC manually. By Default, it is off. If you have set up your portable folder, please do this to turn it on, otherwise you may lose some of you settings if the setings in your portable folder is not the same as those in your pc.
    1. without plugging in your USB, load NVil.
    2. Turn on 'Edit > Preference > Special Options > "NVil Portable User Settings" folder search enabled.
    3. Close NVil.
    * User tool group back color is customizable.
    Thanks!
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