Part 4: 3D-to-Flash Conversion

In addition to exporting the files as WRL, I also exported the model as a Flash animation using Vecta3D. This tool is available in two formats: Vecta3D-Max 1.1 is a plug-in for 3D Studio Max that allows you to output low-bandwidth SWF (Shockwave Flash) vector based images and animations from virtually any 3D scene. There's also a standalone edition of the tool, which is the version I used. It loads 3DS files, which can be imported or exported from MAX.

For more information and freely downloadable demos, go to www.vecta3d.com

Vecta3D Notes
The first version I exported was too big: I had specified a 32-frame looping sequence (again, developed using 3D Studio MAX's animation capabilities); however, the resulting SWF (Flash) file was several megabytes in size. By reducing the number of animation frames to 4, the model was able to be displayed (albeit with a less smooth frame rate) on virtually any computer.

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