Notes for geo.p
19 Oct 97


geo.p is a LightWave Modeler plug-in that loads and saves VideoScape
ASCII geometry (.geo) files.  It's similar to the vsformat loader
written by Stuart Ferguson and included with the LightWave Server
Development Kit (SDK), but it adds a saver, and I think it handles
surface conversion better.  This plug-in is a supplement to the
LightWave Programming pages on my web site.  The source code is
also available.

VideoScape 3D was an early animation program for the Amiga written
by Allen Hastings.  The .geo format is attractive because it's very
simple, making it possible to create and modify objects either by
hand or using programs that are relatively easy to write.

To install the plug-in,

   1.  Copy geo.p to the Modeler plug-ins directory.
   2.  Select "Add Plugin" from the Objects/Custom list.
   3.  Select geo.p from the files list.

To load a .geo file, just hit Load and select it from the list of
files.  Depending on the platform you're using, you might have to
explicitly reveal the filenames of .geo files before you can select
them from the list--in Windows, for example, you may have to choose
"All" from the Files of Type dropdown list on the file dialog.

To save a .geo file, choose VideoScape_Export under Tools/Custom.

Beginning with later pressings of the LightWave 5.5 CD, Stuart's
vsformat plug-in is automatically installed.  But once geo.p is
installed, it's unlikely that Modeler will ever use the vsformat
loader.  (Loaders are called in alphabetical order until one of
them succeeds in loading the file.)

It isn't necessary, but if you'd like to uninstall vsformat.p (or
geo.p, for that matter), edit Modeler's config file in a text editor
and remove the "Plugin ObjectLoader" line that refers to vsformat.p
(or geo.p).  Make sure Modeler isn't running when you do this (it'll
overwrite the config file when you quit).


Ernie Wright
erniew@access.digex.net
http://www.access.digex.net/~erniew
