HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN .VUES (3DO ANIMATION FILES)

By: PNem@aol.com

The format of the .vue files are very simple - just use the spreadsheet 
"Vue01.xls" (it's in Excel 4.0 format).  This is the actual spreadsheet that 
was used for the first portion of the TIE Defender's .vue.  All that needs to 
be done is to edit the spreadsheet and then copy columns J - V to your .vue 
text file.  Note that I use 'Heading', while DF uses 'Yaw' - they are the 
same.  Also, 'Scale' refers to the size of the .3do.  Use Scale=1 for most, 
although my TIE Defender hologram is Scale=.3.

This what a sample .vue looks like:

vue 1
transform "def" #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12
transform "def" ......

vue 1 <- always use this type of .vue.  {Note:vue 201 is the same as vue 1,
except each frame is numbered, and several different .vues are combined
into one file, each referenced by its own name ("def" in my example)}

"def" is the object name (referenced by the .o file, see below)

The values for #1 thru #9 are the coefficeints of the rotating and scaling
matrix that is used by DF to determine how to draw the .3do.  Their values
can be readily calculated by the spreadsheet that I've provided.  The 
formulas are:
#1: Scale x [cos(H) x cos(R)]
#2: Scale x [-sin(H) x cos(P) + cos(H) x sin(R) x sin(P)]
#3: Scale x [-sin(H) x sin(P) - cos(H) x sin(R) x cos(P)]
#4: Scale x [sin(H) x cos(R)]
#5: Scale x [cos(H) x cos(P) + sin(H) x sin(R) x sin(P)]
#6: Scale x [cos(H) x sin(P) - sin(H) x sin(R) x cos(P)]
#7: Scale x [sin(R)]
#8: Scale x [-cos(R) x sin(P)]
#9: Scale x [cos(R) x cos(P)]

The values for #10 thru #12 are:
#10: X coordinate
#11: Z coordinate
#12: -Y coordinate

The .o file should have the following logic associated with the .3do:

SEQ
 KEY:   TRUE                    /* This always needs to be present. */
 VUE:   TIEDEF.VUE "DEF"        /* This is the filname of the .vue, with the
				object name in quotes. */
 VUE_APPEND: TIEDEF2.VUE "DEF"  /* Same as the previous line, except this
				will be run directly after the first .vue is 
				finished. */
 PAUSE: TRUE                    /* If this line is used, the .vue will run 
				exactly once (like Kyle's ship taking off).
				If this line is omitted, the .vue will 
				continuously repeat itself. */
SEQEND

The spreadsheet ("VUE01.XLS"):
The spreadsheet format is straightforward.  The only confusing items are 
probably the first two columns (labeled "Index 1" and "Index 2"), which are 
used to calculate the acceleration and distance traveled by the .3do.  You do 
NOT need to use these.  All that you need are columns J - V.  You can use 
whatever formulas you want for Heading, Pitch, Roll, x, y, and z.

If you have any questions, suggestions, improvements, or comments, please 
E-mail me at PNem@aol.com