** Version 1.1 Announcement **

feldon34 · 01-10-2002, 10:23 PM

Jim Sachs joined us for an informal chat tonight and gave us the latest news.

The first version that will appear on the website will be version 1.1. All users who already own version 99L or an earlier version will be entitled to an upgrade to version 1.1 without extra charge.

Version 1.1 will cost $21.95 to new purchasers.

In all cases, Version 1.1 contains the changes in 1.0, and the new Lionfish specialty creature.

Future specialty creatures will be added in packages of 7 or 10 for $10. So 2-3 months may pass while Jim is developing multiple specialty creatures. I've asked Jim about doing a $10 subscription, and we'll get the 7-10 specialty creatures as they are completed but he flatly said that this opens him up to the possibility that he might be unable to finish and have to refund a lot of money.

Future plans? 1.1 will hopefully be released next week. I cannot promise dates because nobody hits them (problems always come up).

The Red Volitan Lionfish we are getting will have moving mouth and gills, has its own special behavior that is different from the other fish. It often just sits there with its fins waving in the flow of the water. Jim has said that the tank looks VERY scary with 5 Lionfish enabled. The Lionfish is listed in the same selection menus that the regular fish appear in, so you can have an entire tank of Lionfish.

The 3D background is the next project.

Then Jim will be working on the 3D animation to a feature film.

After that, Jim will begin his first specialty creature package.

The Jellyfish and Octopus will probably not be in the first package, but the first package may include a Skate (Manta Ray) that hides in the sand and periodically comes out, kicking up a cloud of dust and sand. Also, the Mandarinfish model will be based on the Lionfish model, since the side fins have the proper amount of detail.

Jav400 · 01-10-2002, 10:30 PM

I love the idea of getting a complete package of 7 specialty fish at one time.

The_Thrill · 01-10-2002, 11:13 PM

That is Awesome! I cant wait to see it and a package of 7 creatures will be much more fun and lucrative for business. Thanks for the update!

pipeta · 01-11-2002, 05:19 AM

Originally posted by feldon23
Then Jim will be working on the 3D animation to a feature film.

Any information about the film? How long will it be? How long will Jim work on it? What will it be about? (And so on)

Jim Sachs · 01-11-2002, 11:20 AM

I have been asked to do a short animation for a movie. This is a serious live-action movie, not computer-generated. I've been telling them I don't have time, but working with a group as high-class and talented as this is really tempting, and I'm starting to lean the other way.

Digital Lungfish · 01-11-2002, 01:12 PM

The 3D background is the next project.
Then Jim will be working on the 3D animation to a feature film.
After that, Jim will begin his first specialty creature package.

Any word on where the fish behavior (for the existing fish) fits into the schedule? In other words - moving gills, moving mouth, how the fish swims (like the Regal Tang's flapping motion), individual fish AI, etc.

- DL

P.S.
Great news about the movie Jim, I wish you the best of luck on that project! Sounds like we need another area on the site dedicated to that topic.

Man, things are really starting to get exciting around here these days. Your life is very interesting indeed Jim, thanks for letting us come along for the ride.

Jav400 · 01-11-2002, 03:00 PM

Basically from what Jim said the other day his plans are as follows:

First to finish the Lionfish and get it out to everyone. After that he wants to get back into the 3D background and get that finished. He said that after this he might be taking a month or so off, if he deceides to work on the movie, and then the first pack of specialty fish will be created and introduced, followed by second pack of specialties at a later date. Along the way, as program updates, things like feeding the fish and the behaviors for the other species will be added. Of course there isn't any way to forsee problems along the way or time frames to solve them, but basically its a game plan.

Azdec · 01-11-2002, 10:14 PM

So the 3D background won't(?) be in the version 1.1? It will come later? And when I upgrade, as a registered user, why kind of background will be in v. 1.1?

And when there is a 3D background will I be able to switch to the background that is currently on v.99L? Or can I have v.99L and version 1.1 installed and run them separately?

feldon34 · 01-11-2002, 10:25 PM

So the 3D background won't(?) be in the version 1.1? It will come later? And when I upgrade, as a registered user, why kind of background will be in v. 1.1?

The 3D Background is in the early stages. There's no way it will be done by next week. I'd look for it in Spring 2002.

Version 1.1 has the same background you have now. There has never been a promised date for the 3D background.

And when there is a 3D background will I be able to switch to the background that is currently on v.99L? Or can I have v.99L and version 1.1 installed and run them separately?

The 3D background completely replaces the background in 99L. Instead of flat photographed coral pieces juxtaposed together, the 3D background is all 3D objects, rocks, coral, anemones, clams, etc. that move or that the fish realistically swim around.

Also, the 3D background will be twice as wide as your monitor and the camera will slowly pan back and forth.

If you want to switch back and forth between the 99L background and the 1.2 (or whatever version #) 3D background, hang onto your copy of 99L.

Socrates · 01-11-2002, 10:56 PM

Will the 3d background be an extra charge.

I wouldn't blame anyone if it were.

Jim Sachs · 01-11-2002, 11:59 PM

No, it will be a free update for registered users.

ESHIREY · 01-12-2002, 12:09 PM

Boy this all sounds great . An to my surprise you say the LionFish could be here next week ? That's great (Of course I'm not holding anyone to what you said about the release time) BUT tomorrow (sunday) starts next week .

Maybe tomorrow

? Please please please ....just kidding .

Oh , an Feldon , I don't mean to come here everyday tieing up your forum like I do 6 - 10 times a day . Your site is just too good . Got to love it . Tell you what , if you want so I don't come here so much , change the site ......... make it ugly ( just kidding ) . You do a great job with the site and I love reading what everyone here has to say .

feldon34 · 01-12-2002, 03:02 PM

Will Ware has also successfully gotten AD/PCM audio compression working with DirectSound, so version 1.1 will be approximately 760kb compressed! The audio takes about 80kb instead of 500kb.

No bloatware here!

ESHIREY · 01-12-2002, 03:19 PM

Hey that's great .

hpman77 · 01-13-2002, 10:36 AM

Just a curious thing:

Somebody said tomorrow is sunday, and that's the new week's beginning... but there're places where that's not true

In spain, as example, the week starts on Monday, being Sunday the last day of the week

I'm glad to hear the lionfish will be in a fish slot, so I can have two or three of them

grrreat job, Jim, as always!
maybe you should consider sending autographed pics or maybe an option to show an autograh on a corner of the aquarium?

your fans would appreciate it (and I'll be one of them for sure!)

ESHIREY · 01-13-2002, 11:57 AM

Yeah that was me . Boy I didn't know that hpman77 . Thanks for the schooling

just some guy · 01-13-2002, 06:15 PM

Feel free to e-mail me when it's released.
Tim

Jav400 · 01-13-2002, 06:47 PM

don't worry,

when 1.1 is ready for release there will be tons of emails sent out, and an announcement will be posted on the forum.

Doogie · 01-16-2002, 12:55 PM

Jim,

Excellent Screen Saver, and this is a great forum for keeping up to date on whats going on.

I've been visiting here off and on for the past year and wanted to find out if the new 3D background being twice as wide, does that mean that there might be a chance of having it work with dual monitor systems? Also, does this mean that Jim has gotten past the hurdle of re-coding in DirectX 8?

Jim Sachs · 01-16-2002, 03:14 PM

My current plan is for the version with the 3D background to still use DX6, but if I have any breakthroughs with DX8 before it's done I may switch. As far as dual-monitors, I'm always hopeful that I will eventually learn how to do this in DX6.

01-10-2002, 10:23 PM	#1
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,947	Version 1.1 Announcement Jim Sachs joined us for an informal chat tonight and gave us the latest news. The first version that will appear on the website will be version 1.1. All users who already own version 99L or an earlier version will be entitled to an upgrade to version 1.1 without extra charge. Version 1.1 will cost $21.95 to new purchasers. In all cases, Version 1.1 contains the changes in 1.0, and the new Lionfish specialty creature. Future specialty creatures will be added in packages of 7 or 10 for $10. So 2-3 months may pass while Jim is developing multiple specialty creatures. I've asked Jim about doing a $10 subscription, and we'll get the 7-10 specialty creatures as they are completed but he flatly said that this opens him up to the possibility that he might be unable to finish and have to refund a lot of money. Future plans? 1.1 will hopefully be released next week. I cannot promise dates because nobody hits them (problems always come up). The Red Volitan Lionfish we are getting will have moving mouth and gills, has its own special behavior that is different from the other fish. It often just sits there with its fins waving in the flow of the water. Jim has said that the tank looks VERY scary with 5 Lionfish enabled. The Lionfish is listed in the same selection menus that the regular fish appear in, so you can have an entire tank of Lionfish. The 3D background is the next project. Then Jim will be working on the 3D animation to a feature film. After that, Jim will begin his first specialty creature package. The Jellyfish and Octopus will probably not be in the first package, but the first package may include a Skate (Manta Ray) that hides in the sand and periodically comes out, kicking up a cloud of dust and sand. Also, the Mandarinfish model will be based on the Lionfish model, since the side fins have the proper amount of detail. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

01-10-2002, 10:30 PM	#2
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	I love the idea of getting a complete package of 7 specialty fish at one time. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

01-10-2002, 11:13 PM	#3
The_Thrill Nittany Lion Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: State College Posts: 49	That is Awesome! I cant wait to see it and a package of 7 creatures will be much more fun and lucrative for business. Thanks for the update! Thrill

01-11-2002, 05:19 AM	#4
pipeta Royal Gramma Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Israel Posts: 146	Re: Version 1.1 Announcement Originally posted by feldon23 Then Jim will be working on the 3D animation to a feature film. Any information about the film? How long will it be? How long will Jim work on it? What will it be about? (And so on)

01-11-2002, 11:20 AM	#5
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,816	I have been asked to do a short animation for a movie. This is a serious live-action movie, not computer-generated. I've been telling them I don't have time, but working with a group as high-class and talented as this is really tempting, and I'm starting to lean the other way. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

01-11-2002, 01:12 PM	#6
Digital Lungfish Obey the toad! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 2,557	Future Plans... The 3D background is the next project. Then Jim will be working on the 3D animation to a feature film. After that, Jim will begin his first specialty creature package. Any word on where the fish behavior (for the existing fish) fits into the schedule? In other words - moving gills, moving mouth, how the fish swims (like the Regal Tang's flapping motion), individual fish AI, etc. - DL P.S. Great news about the movie Jim, I wish you the best of luck on that project! Sounds like we need another area on the site dedicated to that topic. Man, things are really starting to get exciting around here these days. Your life is very interesting indeed Jim, thanks for letting us come along for the ride. Last edited by Digital Lungfish; 01-11-2002 at 01:15 PM.

01-11-2002, 03:00 PM	#7
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	Basically from what Jim said the other day his plans are as follows: First to finish the Lionfish and get it out to everyone. After that he wants to get back into the 3D background and get that finished. He said that after this he might be taking a month or so off, if he deceides to work on the movie, and then the first pack of specialty fish will be created and introduced, followed by second pack of specialties at a later date. Along the way, as program updates, things like feeding the fish and the behaviors for the other species will be added. Of course there isn't any way to forsee problems along the way or time frames to solve them, but basically its a game plan. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection Last edited by Jav400; 01-11-2002 at 03:10 PM.

01-11-2002, 10:14 PM	#8
Azdec Registered Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Doylestown, PA Posts: 9	Version 1.1 Announcement So the 3D background won't(?) be in the version 1.1? It will come later? And when I upgrade, as a registered user, why kind of background will be in v. 1.1? And when there is a 3D background will I be able to switch to the background that is currently on v.99L? Or can I have v.99L and version 1.1 installed and run them separately?

01-11-2002, 10:25 PM	#9
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,947	So the 3D background won't(?) be in the version 1.1? It will come later? And when I upgrade, as a registered user, why kind of background will be in v. 1.1? The 3D Background is in the early stages. There's no way it will be done by next week. I'd look for it in Spring 2002. Version 1.1 has the same background you have now. There has never been a promised date for the 3D background. And when there is a 3D background will I be able to switch to the background that is currently on v.99L? Or can I have v.99L and version 1.1 installed and run them separately? The 3D background completely replaces the background in 99L. Instead of flat photographed coral pieces juxtaposed together, the 3D background is all 3D objects, rocks, coral, anemones, clams, etc. that move or that the fish realistically swim around. Also, the 3D background will be twice as wide as your monitor and the camera will slowly pan back and forth. If you want to switch back and forth between the 99L background and the 1.2 (or whatever version #) 3D background, hang onto your copy of 99L. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

01-11-2002, 10:56 PM	#10
Socrates Sage Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: West Hills, CA Posts: 1,529	Will the 3d background be an extra charge. I wouldn't blame anyone if it were. Bat rays? We don't need no stinking bat rays!

01-11-2002, 11:59 PM	#11
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,816	No, it will be a free update for registered users. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

01-12-2002, 12:09 PM	#12
ESHIREY Smilie Dragon Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lebanon, PA Posts: 4,725	Boy this all sounds great . An to my surprise you say the LionFish could be here next week ? That's great (Of course I'm not holding anyone to what you said about the release time) BUT tomorrow (sunday) starts next week . Maybe tomorrow ? Please please please ....just kidding . Oh , an Feldon , I don't mean to come here everyday tieing up your forum like I do 6 - 10 times a day . Your site is just too good . Got to love it . Tell you what , if you want so I don't come here so much , change the site ......... make it ugly ( just kidding ) . You do a great job with the site and I love reading what everyone here has to say .

01-12-2002, 03:02 PM	#13
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,947	ADPCM Resolved Will Ware has also successfully gotten AD/PCM audio compression working with DirectSound, so version 1.1 will be approximately 760kb compressed! The audio takes about 80kb instead of 500kb. No bloatware here! "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

01-12-2002, 03:19 PM	#14
ESHIREY Smilie Dragon Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lebanon, PA Posts: 4,725	Hey that's great .

01-13-2002, 10:36 AM	#15
hpman77 Blue Angel Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Santander (Spain) Posts: 285	Just a curious thing: Somebody said tomorrow is sunday, and that's the new week's beginning... but there're places where that's not true In spain, as example, the week starts on Monday, being Sunday the last day of the week I'm glad to hear the lionfish will be in a fish slot, so I can have two or three of them grrreat job, Jim, as always! maybe you should consider sending autographed pics or maybe an option to show an autograh on a corner of the aquarium? your fans would appreciate it (and I'll be one of them for sure!) .:: AMD Athlon XP 1700+ :: 512MB SDRAM :: Windows XP SP1 :: shappire ATI radeon 9600 PRO :: Soundblaster Live Player 5.1 :: Directx 9.0 :: (Always latest drivers for everything) ::.

01-13-2002, 11:57 AM	#16
ESHIREY Smilie Dragon Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lebanon, PA Posts: 4,725	Yeah that was me . Boy I didn't know that hpman77 . Thanks for the schooling

01-13-2002, 06:15 PM	#17
just some guy Banned Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: South Cakalaki Posts: 110	Can't wait for 1.1 Feel free to e-mail me when it's released. Tim

01-13-2002, 06:47 PM	#18
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	don't worry, when 1.1 is ready for release there will be tons of emails sent out, and an announcement will be posted on the forum. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

01-16-2002, 12:55 PM	#19
Doogie Registered Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 2	Jim, Excellent Screen Saver, and this is a great forum for keeping up to date on whats going on. I've been visiting here off and on for the past year and wanted to find out if the new 3D background being twice as wide, does that mean that there might be a chance of having it work with dual monitor systems? Also, does this mean that Jim has gotten past the hurdle of re-coding in DirectX 8?

01-16-2002, 03:14 PM	#20
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,816	My current plan is for the version with the 3D background to still use DX6, but if I have any breakthroughs with DX8 before it's done I may switch. As far as dual-monitors, I'm always hopeful that I will eventually learn how to do this in DX6. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium