Among 3-D design and visualization programs, Infini-D has garnered praise for its good balance of modeling, rendering, and animation tools. I’ve had occasion to say so my self. But I've also noted that the program was a weak modeler. Well, that's changed.
Infini-D 3.0 has a new spline-based modeler that runs circles around its predecessor and attains a level of parity with the rendering and animation components of the program. Those already excellent components have also been improved. Add a sprinkling of interface enhancements, and Infini-D 3.0 is more accessible and offers a better balance of features than ever before.
Spline Modeling
Basically, Infini-D 3.0 builds all 3-D objects by extruding a 2-D shape along a path — it pulls a cylinder from a circle, for example. The path forms the backbone for the object, and four lines, called rails, surrounding the path define the surface of the shape.
The SplineForm workshop is derived front the lathe and extrusion workshops of past versions, so Infini-D veterans should adapt quickly. Individual editing windows display the object's cross section and the 2-D elevations (front, side, and so on) of the path and rails. The 3-D object appears as a wire frame in its own window, where editing changes update automatically and you can rotate the object to view it.
Paths, rails, and cross sections are all editable splines you can manipulate in the 2-D views using Bézier handles that behave just like those of illustration programs. Infini-D 3.0 builds all objects in the same manner. Objects that are traditionally lathed, like goblets and bottles, are instead built by molding the rails into the proper outline. As you build objects, the interaction of paths and rails offers great freedom to create complex shapes. For example, by reshaping the rails, you can deform an object’s skin without altering the profile of the initial cross section.
Also, you can alter basic objects by adding variably shaped 2-D cross sections along the path; the program automatically reshapes the skin over the ribs. Adding cross sections produces an object with more control points, resulting in a more precise and editable shape.
Versatile though it is, the SplineForm workshop is not as adept as higher-end modelers, such as autodessys's FormZ, Macromedia's MacroModel, or Byte-by-Byte's Sculpt 3D. For example, you can't deform an object by selecting individual points on the 3-D surface mesh, and you can't tug at individual surface-mesh splines. The SplineForm workshop, however, is a great addition that brings Infini-D to another level in 3-D modeling.
Animation and Rendering
The path-and-rails foundation of its objects makes Infini-D 3.0 an excellent vehicle for character animation. You can move the spline backbone of an object to produce natural-looking bending motions. As you bend objects, the rails-defined surfaces stretch and buckle, simulating undulating skin, And you can push and pull the rails for effects like rippling muscles and breathing pulsations.
The enhanced animation sequencer offers improved control of object motion. When you double-click on an object name, the sequencer expands to display separate timelines for individual attributes — such as positioning, rotation, scaling, and surfacing — letting you control each independently. And Infini-D reserves a channel for information pertaining to specific object types. For example, you control changes made using the SplineForm workshop, such as bending an object's spine, with this channel.
Double-click on event marks in the sequencer and a new Info dialog box lets you fine-tune the object's transition through the event. You can adjust motion curves for tension (stiffness), bias (peak point relative to the event), and continuity (the motion's smoothness), producing smooth or jerky transitions as desired — this fine-tuning is much better than the previous ease-in, ease-out controls.
In addition, Infini-D lets you fine-tune object motion and animation effects with individual velocity graphs. Each graph displays a motion curve, with control points corresponding to every event mark. You move control points to adjust the acceleration and speed of object attributes. The velocity dialog box holds two graphs with pop-ups for changing the active attribute. However, if you start over on one graph, the Reset button kills all the changes in the other. There should he a way to lock graphs or perhaps reset them individually.
New lighting and surfacing options add rendering versatility to Infini-D 3.0. A distant-light option lets you simulate parallel-light sources, like sunlight. You can now project images into a scene, or use them to produce shadows from off-scene objects. You can calibrate spot and point lights for realistic dimming effects. And you can now apply textures as surface decals that flex with the skin us an object moves. Overall, the program's texture-editing tools, image- and environment-mapping effects, and output-rendering options remain excellent.
With Infini-D’s increased control of animation variables, it's easy to overlook its ability to automate complicated tasks. Although not new to this version, Infini-D's Animation Assistants can produce many of the program's motion-control effects automatically. The Assistants are great for novice users, but pros facing deadlines will also appreciate them.
Finally, Infini-D 3.0 includes some nice interface enhancements. For example, a Views floater now gives access to quick-rendering options and to preset viewpoints for any active window. Infini-D 3.0 is easy to use, but as with any 3-D program, sooner or later you'll turn to the manual. In this case, you'll find it well organized and clearly written.
Specular anticipates shipping version 3.1 of Infini-D in late October. This upgrade (free to all registered users of version 3.0) improves Infini-D's speed and adds QuickDraw 3D support as well as a few other features.
The Last Word
Capable of professional-quality rendering and animation. Infini-D 3.0 is nonetheless understandable enough for novices. The new spline-based modeler makes Infini-D a more capable and better balanced production tool. Unfortunately, 3.0 costs more than the last version, but it's still an excellent value.
Martinez, Carlos Domingo. (January 1996). Infini-D 3.0. Macworld. (pg. 54).
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2014-10-16 / 
2023-05-01 / 
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Infini-Dtm_3.0.sit
Emulating this? It could probably run under: 
Basilisk II
