Interesting Overlay Tool
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 6:35 am
I use Silo for organic 3D modeling and periodically check out the Silo forum to see what's up (apparently, not much lately). However, a Silo user recently developed a useful tool that has applications for 2D and 3D. It's a simple overlay tool that lets you overlay a image on your desktop for tracing/reference. It's free. Sadly, it's PC only.
The tool is so simple it's almost ridiculous, but it works great. Yes, yes, some 2D or 3D apps allow you to place a reference image in the app's background - but it's usually a pain in rear to setup the image and manipulate it. However, this free overlay tool is completely independent of your 2D/3D app - which allows more flexibility.
The Silo forum thread about the tool is here:
http://www.silo3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16966
A video describing how it works:
http://www.digitalartistguild.com/misc/ ... plain.html
The latest version of the tool:
http://www.digitalartistguild.com/misc/ ... ence_2.rar
Yes - a "rar" file. The 7zip archive utility can handle these.
I've found the tool useful. I personally would like to see features that allow me fine control of scaling/panning the reference image in the overlay window/viewport (I believe the author is looking to do this). Anyway, I thought I'd share.
PS: Yes, I've been evaluating sculptris for adding to my 3D toolbox and I'm quite impressed by it - especially the *free* part.
The tool is so simple it's almost ridiculous, but it works great. Yes, yes, some 2D or 3D apps allow you to place a reference image in the app's background - but it's usually a pain in rear to setup the image and manipulate it. However, this free overlay tool is completely independent of your 2D/3D app - which allows more flexibility.
The Silo forum thread about the tool is here:
http://www.silo3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16966
A video describing how it works:
http://www.digitalartistguild.com/misc/ ... plain.html
The latest version of the tool:
http://www.digitalartistguild.com/misc/ ... ence_2.rar
Yes - a "rar" file. The 7zip archive utility can handle these.
I've found the tool useful. I personally would like to see features that allow me fine control of scaling/panning the reference image in the overlay window/viewport (I believe the author is looking to do this). Anyway, I thought I'd share.
PS: Yes, I've been evaluating sculptris for adding to my 3D toolbox and I'm quite impressed by it - especially the *free* part.