While awaiting some positive news about Blender’s future I have been reviewing other modelling packages and utilities. Despite the many and powerful features Blender has I can’t help arriving at the conclusion that what has seriously let it down is the lack of inbuilt import/ export options. Even if a comprehensive set of Python scripts were supplied as standard I suspect that the interest in both the free version (possibly even with a low cost) and especially Publisher would have been much greater. Although not a fair comparison once you realise Blenders potential, even MilkShape3D and 3DCanvas seem to be thriving despite having a fraction of Blender’s functionality. And they cost! What do you think?
Another issue is possibly using Python as the scripting language. I would NOT like to see Python removed because although I am not a Python expert (novice, if that) it has definate advantages for advanced user’s. However, I came across Lua (http://www.lua.org), a free and simple scripting library, and think that if this was provided in addition to Python then beginner’s/ intermediate’s would benefit greately. Lua is very similar to VBA. What do you think?
Finally, although I was one of the few who paid for Publisher (at the time simply to support NAN but also with aspirations) I am in limbo regarding putting it to any serious use. My problem is that not all the object hierachy appears to be visible/available from Python so that I for instance could write my own import/export scripts. Am I wrong? If anyone can clarify then please do! Maybe the Dynamica team know something?
At the very least I hope some of this post creates the sort of debate we use to have on the old forums and provides some feedback to Ton that might help in determining Blenders future.
DOC