SharpConstruct

File Release Notes and Changelog

Release Name: 0.12 Release Candidate 3

Notes:
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  Fixes in Release Candidate 3
=================================
This release makes saving more reliable and fixes a startup crash.

* Default save format is now OBJ because LWO doesn't save colors yet

* A warning about color data is displayed when models are saved in LWO format

* Extentions are automatically appended to the filename when saving models

* Paths with non-ascii characters are handled properly

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  Fixes in Release Candidate 2
=================================
This release candidate fixes several bugs with rotation and the draw brush.

* Simplified wireframe drawing.

* The red cursor is now drawn in immediate mode rather than with display
  lists.

* Using the draw brush with layer + colorize activated now behaves as
  expected when a portion of the model is masked.

* After clicking the Center button, or after using the Zoom slider, Simple
  Rotation's data is updated to avoid unexpectedly rotating the model.

* Windows shows correct version number in about box.

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SharpConstruct 0.12 Release Notes
=================================
This release features a Windows port, a masking tool to improve modeling and
deformation control, adjustable shading with GLSL vertex shaders, and
support for the Lightwave object format. Also new are interactive
deformation controls, curve-based brush control, and extra tablet controls.

* Support for loading and saving Lightwave's LWO files. Saving LWOs is twice
  as fast as saving OBJs, and loading is about five times faster.

* Shading can now be controlled. Model curvature is easier to see with
  specularity, which is controlled by two new properties, and another option
  controls the overall strength of the lighting.

* The model can now be automatically rotated to show the top, front, or side,
  similar to, and using the same shortcuts as, Blender.

* The sliders for the Move and Scale deformations, as well as the Mirror
  button, have been replaced with interactive deformations. These appear as
  3D controls overlayed on the model, similar to most 3D modelers.

* The interface has been reorganized; it follow the GNOME HIG in more areas.
  In particular, the brush is now selected from four large buttons at the
  top of the screen, and the brush options now follow a more vertical
  format. Also, the sidebar can now be flipped to the other side of the
  screen.

* Several improvements to tablet support: there is now a slider to control
  Zooming so that there's no need to switch to the mouse to zoom, also,
  a second brush circle is drawn to indicate the amount pressure is
  affecting the brush. Finally, when "Simple Rotation" is on, the model can
  be rotated by clicking on the background and dragging.

* The brush can be controlled using a strength curve. This can be used to
  smooth the edges of a brush shape without filtering it in an external
  2D editing program.

* SharpConstruct is better integrated into the desktop; it shows a menu item
  in GNOME.

* The open model dialog now has a preview in which the model is shown and
  can be rotated.

* Portions of the model can be masked. Masked areas stop most operations
  from affecting that area; for example, subdivision can now be controlled
  by masking off areas that are already subdivided enough.

* Vertex shaders are now used to display masks and alter shading. Drivers
  that do not support vertex shaders are still supported, but masking will
  not be visible. There is also a secondary shading mode that uses normals
  to show details more clearly.

* Thanks to Timon Christl, SharpConstruct now runs under Windows.

Changes: