Old Style 3D

Fifth Post 06-05-05: Old Style 3D

All the game systems and computer video games have 3D graphics in some aspect of the game. But when did it start?

3D graphics on the computer are from the mid to early 1990's (I didn’t look up the exact time period). That is when programs such as 3D Studio Max were introduced and games like Quake were made.

But what about the software that was ahead of the times? The most affordable early 3d program was Turbo Cad 3D Version 1. It came out in 1995 and had easy features that allowed the user to produce some good 3D meshes. I bought it packaged with Turbo Cad version 3 for around $100.

Turbo Cad version 3 wasn’t that impressive, but this stand alone 3D program is. It had sample models of a dragon, the original Star Ship Enterprise, etc. It made 3D text and files that could be converted into AutoCad format.

Now IMSI the company that makes Turbo Cad has integrated the 3D program into Turbo Cad. The closest thing that compares to TC 3D Version 1 is IMSI’s DesignCAD 3DMAX.

But I am still interested in the TC 3D Version1. It runs on Win XP even though it was designed for Windows 3.1. It doesn’t rotate the objects in real time, but it still builds the model and gets the job done.