3D Movie Maker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Developer: | Microsoft Kids |
| OS: | Windows |
| Use: | 3D computer graphics software |
| License: | Proprietary |
| Website: | |
3D Movie Maker (unofficially known as 3DMM for short) is a program created by Microsoft's "Microsoft Kids" subsidiary in 1995. Using this program, directors are able to place 3D characters in pre-made or custom-made environments, add actions, sound effects, music, text, speech, and special effects then show these movies off to friends, family, and the world. The results are often not realistic due to the limitations of the software and hardware technology at the time, but have the potential to explore similar topics as mainstream movies. 3DMM is no longer available in stores, but it can still be acquired from online stores and auction websites such as eBay. Furthermore it is often debated that since Microsoft Kids no longer exists, and more than a decade have passed since the release of 3dmm, it can be classified as abandonware.
A Japanese expansion pack for 3DMM was released with characters from the popular children's manga and anime series Doraemon. The expansion is designed accordingly, using bright vivid backgrounds and solid colour actors.
The last release of 3D Movie Maker was Nickelodeon 3D Movie Maker, a spin-off using actors and scenes from Rocko's Modern Life, Ren & Stimpy and AAAHH!!! Real Monsters. N3DMM, as it became known, never became as wide spread as its English counterpart and the Japanese expansion pack.
3D Movie Maker is built on the BRender 3D graphics engine created by Argonaut Software. The models and prerendered backgrounds were created by Illumin8 Digital Pictures, a now defunct graphics studio, using Softimage modelling software.
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[edit] Making movies
Creating animation in 3D Movie Maker is many times simpler than other 3d graphics programs. By default, 45 actors/actresses are available, each with 4 different costumes, and 20 different props and dozens of actions. In addition, the end user may add his own customised actors and props. Eleven different scenes are also included with a variety of camera angles. However, experienced users make their own scenes using a variety of props and imported expansions. Many sample voice and MIDI music clips are included, but extra voices can be recorded using a microphone, and external wav and MIDI files can be imported.
The finished movie, however, can only be viewed inside 3D Movie Maker using the virtual auditorium, unless converted to a video file format with a third-party utility.
[edit] Expansions and utilities
After more than a decade, many third-party add-ons and applications have been developed by an ever-growing cult-like online community.
- 3DMM Animation Pro: (2002) Binds mouse movements to the keyboard, allowing directors to create more fluid movements on screen. Released 2002.
- Doraemon Expansion Pack: (2002) The only official expansion pack released, this pack, based on the Japanese character, was only released in Japan. Community members acquired a copy of this product and were able to translate it into English for the most part.
- Frankie's Expansion Pack: (2003) An expansion pack released prior to the use of v3DMM, which would have rendered it needless. The pack is a user created software patch, which introduced the first new textures, actors, and objects to the software since release.
- v3DMM: (2004) An acronym for Virtual 3D Movie Maker. Expansion managing program. See below.
- 7gen: (2005) Used for the creation of v3DMM expansion files.
- 3DMM Pencil++ 2: (2006) First released in 2002, this advanced program edits the datafiles of 3dmm objects, enabling savvy users to tweak colors and features.
- Nickelodeon expansion pack: (???) This expansion pack adds several characters from programs on Nickelodeon from a few years back (Rocko's modern life, Ren and stimpy ect.)
[edit] v3dmm
Former community member and programmer who goes by the pseudonym Travis Wells developed a program known as Virtual 3D Movie Maker. v3DMM, as it's called, allows the user to import, organise and switch between countless user-created modifications. Using 7gen, 3dmm users may import 3d models as actors, props, or scenes. In addition, 7gen allows for images to be imported as textures.
 A detailed piece of scenery created using only default props. |
 A detailed explosion created using the first-ever expansion textures. |
 A still image created using v3dmm. This image utilises a font of unique 3d models (see the leaves, water ripples, and water fall) and a scene which allows for additional colors in the palette. |
 A stylised, cartoon animation created using v3dmm. |
 A still image created using the 3d aspects of v3dmm. This image is taken from the remake of the movie "Vlarion: The Elemental War". |
