Create a 3D model viewer without a single line of code with Coppercube.
Coppercube is a new project from the guy behind the Irrlicht 3D engine that allows non-programmers to easily create 3D applications either for Windows or for the web as a Flash application. What sets Coppercube apart from the myriad of other 3D engines is that the 3D scene is created in an editor, rather than having to be coded by hand. Not only does this save programmers time because they can visually create a scene, non-programmers can also use the tool to create interactive 3D applications without a single line of code.
In this tutorial we will look at the steps required to create a simple 3D model viewer that can run either as a Windows application or as a Flash applet.
Download and install the Coppercube program from here.
Open up Coppercube. You will be prompted to create either a Free 3D Scene or a Panoramic Scene. For this application we want to start with a Free 3D Scene, so select that and click OK.
You now have a basic 3D scene created that displays a crate. If you press CTRL-F10 at this point you will create a Windows application that you can use. By default you can move around in this scene using the arrow keys and the mouse. You have actually just created your first fully functional 3D Coppercube application, but we want to do something a little different, so press escape to quit the application and go back to the Coppercube editor.
Select cubeMesh1 in the SceneGraph Explorer, and press the DEL key to delete it. This leave you with just the startup skybox.
Click File->Import->Static 3D Mesh from File... Find the model.ms3d file and click Open to import it. You should now see the model displayed in the scene.
One of the advantages of Coppercube is that it can import dozens of different type of 3D models. However I tried to import both a 3DS and a Collada DAE file, and while the model itself was visible, the textures just would not display properly. If you are having trouble I recommend that you grab a copy of Milkshape and convert your files to Milkshapes native MS3D format because Coppercube imported MS3D models fine for me.
Reposition the model at the origin by selecting the Mesh1 object from the SceneGraph Explorer and setting the position to 0,0,0.
With the model imported and in place we need to create a camera to view it with. Click the camera icon on the Scene Editing toolbar.
Now select the Model Viewer Camera and click OK.
Select Camera1 from the SceneGraph Explorer and set the position to 0,0,-10 and the target to 0,0,0.
Press CTRL-F10 to compile the application. Now use the mouse to move the camera around. Congratulations! You have created a 3D model viewer.
CTRL-F10 allows you to test the native Windows version of the application.
Go back to Coppercube Tutorials
Coppercube Tutorials - Lighting
Here we build off the mesh viewer to add some dynamic lighting.
Coppercube - 3D for the web development masses
A look at the latest 3D engine from the makers of Irrlicht.