AC3D is a program that will help you to view, edit and create 3D graphics with this popular 3D object/scene modeller available for Windows and Linux (previous versions for SGI, Solaris and HP also available). AC3D is very easy to use but powerful application.

Features of "AC3D":

· Simple, intuitive click and drag user interface
· Truetype font 2D and 3D text generator
· Integrated graphical texture coordinate editor
· Fast subdivision surface modeling
· Many 3D file formats supported
· Fast real-time OpenGL graphics views (2D and 3D)
· Multipoint polygon and line editing down to vertex level
· No polygon limits
· Extrusion and surface revolution Software development kit and plugin interface.
· Fast and memory efficient, compact program binary.
· Built-in fast OpenGL 3D renderer with adjustable field-of-view - instantly see results of your actions in 3D. Spin the model or switch into walk mode for Quake-style control.
· Edit at different granularity - groups, objects, surfaces, vertices
· Full polygon editing. e.g create a sphere and easily move the points (vertices) to deform the shape.
· Create and edit multi-point polygons and lines - not just triangles.
· Manipulate individual surfaces: insert/remove vertices, make holes, spike, spline, bevel, triangulate, flip, subdivide
· Texture mapping support with real-time rendering.
· Texture/background image file formats supported: GIF, JPG, PNG, BMP, DDS, PPM, TGA (Targa), TIF
· Graphical Texture Coordinate Editor (UV Mapper)
· Assemble surfaces into new objects
· 4 views - 3 orthographic and one 3D. All atonce or individually.
· Named objects can be searched for within a scene
· Navigate/Zoom around the 2d views with cursor keys and other single key presses
· Hierarchical view window
· Hide/unhide objects for easier/faster editing of complicated scenes
· Headlight and up to 7 other positionable lights
· 24-bit colour palette with adjustable diffuse; ambient; emissive; specular; shininess and transparency
· Adjustable 2D and 3D grid guide lines with grid-snap function
· Create new surfaces/objects around any selection (Convex hull)
· Configurable to use external renderers such as Povray and BMRT - just select Tools->Render to start
· Multi platform program - AC3D file format compatible across platformsAttach URLs to objects for use in VRML files
· Attach string data to objects to be used as scripting in Dive or special directives for POV or renderman
· Supports many output/input formats including: 3D-studio 3DS, Lightwave LWO, Alias triangle, DXF, VRML1 and 2 and Inventor, Povray, Renderman RIB, Triangles, Direct X, Milkshape, Quake 3 bsp, MD2, Wavefront OBJ, OFF, stl (ascii), sof (airfoil), SMF, T3D, LDRAW .ldr (Lego)
· Extrude and revolve 2D lines to make 3D shapes
· Scale a selection to a specific size
· Flip a selection (mirror) about X, Y or Z axis
· Remove duplicate vertices and surfaces (optimize)
· Simple documented file formats allow easy conversion from other forms of data - ideal for visualizing your own data in 3D
· Sandio 3D mouse support
· Locked objects can now be shown in full 3D (or wireframe as before) - see advanced settings
· Improved DDS loading
· Improved PNG support
· New Milkshape exporter from TFPsoft which uses the AC3D hierarchy to produce a skeleton
· ATI NMF exporter: turn your high-resolution model into a normal map for a low-resolution model. Works well with ATI’s NormalMapper
· Mac – Leopard fixes. Most Mac users should notice a speed increase with multiple views

Requirements:

· Pentium 120 (or equiv) minimum
· 64 MB RAM minimum
· 10 MB free hard disk space
· preferable, but not necessary - 3D accelerated video card with OpenGL drivers

Limitations:

· 14 days trial

Changes from previous version

· Google Earth Support - This release sees the introduction of Google Earth support. Now you can export your AC3D models into Google Earth. Great for both practical and fun uses; whether you want to visualise how a building appears in its real environment, place an airplane over new terrains, or use it to unleash dinosaurs, the possibilities really are endless.
· 3D mouse support - We�ve been working with 3Dconnexion to build integrated support for 3Dconnexion�s 3D mice (for Windows AC3D). 3Dconnexion�s 3D mice provide an extra level of control when navigating around your 3D objects/worlds. AC3D is compatible with the full range of 3Dconnexion�s products, whether home or professional use, the navigation around 3D worlds is superbly smooth and realistic. A great addition to your 3D toolset, and also works brilliantly with Google Earth!
· This release also features improvements/fixes with texture loading, polygon reduction and 3DS support. For more details see the readme files that come with AC3D (visible in the AC3D Windows program installer).