DPlot

[DPlotAdmin]

I've finished up a new version of the bitmap-to-3D file import plugin that has several new features and is also in my opinion a bit easier to use. Normally this plugin is only distributed with the licensed version of DPlot but it will work fine with the trial copy. If you aren't familiar with the plugin it is mentioned briefly near the bottom of the Features page. A couple of examples of what this plugin does are shown here.

The plugin is available in a .zip file. If you do not already have the FreeImage image processing DLL (freeimage.dll) in the DPlot folder then you'll need this file (453 Kb). If you do have freeimage.dll then all you need is this file (49 Kb). In both cases, exit DPlot before extracting the .zip file and extract to the DPlot folder (for most of you that's c:\Program Files\DPlot). Make sure when you extract the files that you've checked "Use folder names" in WinZip or equivalent setting in other .zip utilities.

After extracting the plugin to the proper folder, start up DPlot and select File>Open. You should now have a "Bitmap to 3D" entry in the dropdown list under file type L.

What's changed:

• You can now map a portion of the image rather than being forced to use the entire bitmap. This is handy when your image file includes a border and/or when working with very large bitmaps that you want several views of. You can make a selection either by typing in the extents or by dragging your mouse across the picture (also new).
  
  
• Rather than requiring you to enter the number of grid columns and rows, which was a bit confusing if you're trying to select values that result in a mimimal amount of interpolation, the plugin now uses a slider to pick from 10% to 100% of the pixel dimensions of the selected part of the image.
  
  
• Not strictly a new feature as this has been in there for the past couple of updates, but the plugin now works with a broad selection of image formats: .jpg, .gif, .png, .tif, .tga, .bmp and others. Older versions were limited to 8-bit .bmp's.
  
  
• If mapping less than a 100% scale, you now have 3 resampling methods available: bilinear, B-spline, and bicubic.
  

Huge time-wasting alert This plugin of course has serious usages, but you might find that converting photos of your friends to contour lines and/or 3D views that exaggerate the length of their shiny noses is... well, fun. If not exactly productive

Comments and suggestions are of course welcome.
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