Thanks for the comments.
The next release will have a little explanation about segmented frame vs. skinned mesh modeling in the First Use tutorial. DBPro supports skinned mesh and segmented frame models, DBClassic only supports segmented frame. (What are the most common terms for these? I fear I may not be clear on this.)
Currently, if you look in the User's Guide for the Modeling page, I have some explanation of how to do the two types of modeling. Then you can look at my hokey Frame-Based Finger tutorial under the Old Tutorials sub-heading in the Tutorials section. This tutorial includes doing a simple animation.
I'm hoping that JTEdit can eventually become the editor of choice for DB users, at least users that don't have the money for the professional tools, or for users who want a tool more focused on game development. It will be a one-stop tool for modeling, skinning, and animating, and eventually world-building. However, JTEdit is still pre-1.0, so I'm fixing bugs as fast as I can, getting tutorials in shape, and beefing up or adding new features. Already I think I have some features that beat the competition, but unfortunately I don't quite have the stability yet, and some features still need some beefing up to match or exceed some other speciallized tools.
I'll have a new release out later this week with a number of bug fixes and small enhancements. Then shortly I'll be beefing up my texture mapping features (i.e. adding the means to save out a bitmap with the texture mapping wireframe (to save you from having to Print Screen to the clipboard the texture mapping view)), adding more face splitting options, adding boolean operations, and so forth (watch my diary forum for details).
I've not yet heard any feedback from people about how well my .x format writing works for DBPro and DBClassic. Has anyone actually done a whole model using JTEdit? If so, could you send me some feedback about how it went during the modeling process, how well it worked in DB, and your suggestions? I'm neither an artist nor DB user, so your feedback could be very helpful in improving the tool.
Thanks to all who have given me feedback already!
-John
John Thompson
http://www.jtgame.com/jtedit
