3D Construction Kit II

3D Construction Kit II[1][2] (released in North America as Virtual Reality Studio 2.0[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]), is a utility for creating 3D virtual worlds in Freescape. Developed by Incentive Software and published by Domark, it was released on November 10, 1992[3][12] as a sequel to 3D Construction Kit. Unlike its predecessor, 3D Construction Kit II was released simultaneously on three platforms: Amiga, Atari ST and MS-DOS.[13]

3D Construction Kit II
Released as Virtual Reality Studio 2.0 in North America
Developer(s)Incentive Software
Publisher(s)Domark
Programmer(s)Paul Gregory
Artist(s)
  • The Kremlin (Domark)
  • Liam Johnston
  • Marc Epstein
Composer(s)
  • Dave Chapman
  • Oxford Mobius
EngineFreescape
Platform(s)Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS
Release
  • EU: 1992
  • NA: 10 November 1992
Genre(s)Game creation system
Mode(s)Single player

Features

edit

3D Construction Kit II takes advantage of the refined Freescape III engine for its 3D graphics. Compared to the original, 3D Construction Kit II has double the number of controls and commands for added complexity and flexibility. Transparent objects can be created and ones that fade over time. The game supports rounded objects such as "flexicubes" and spheres, which were not possible in the original 3D Construction Kit. This feature is emphasised in the modified cover art.

The sound effects editor is improved, allowing players to add sounds and music to their virtual creations. The program comes with a library of predesigned 3D "clipart" aimed at novice users who may not know how to create more complex structures themselves.[13]

As in the previous version game files may be compiled into stand-alone programs that can be run independently of the editor.

Like the original 3D Construction Kit, the program came packaged with a tutorial on VHS video cassette.[14]

Reception

edit

The Amiga version received a score of 80% on Amiga Power,[15] 78% on Amiga Format[16] and 72% on CU Amiga.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Wilson, Stuart. "Download the 3D Construction Kit, and 3D Construction Kit 2 here!".
  2. ^ "3D Construction Kit 2 Manual" (PDF).
  3. ^ a b "Virtual Reality Studio 2.0 (1992)". MobyGames.
  4. ^ Thierauf, Robert J. (4 September 1995). Virtual Reality Systems for Business. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780899309460 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "Computer Gaming World". Golden Empire Publications. 4 September 1993 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Levy, Joseph; Bjelland, Harley (4 September 1995). Create Your Own Virtual Reality System. Windcrest/McGraw-Hill. ISBN 9780070376519 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ "Compute". Small System Services. 4 May 1993 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ "PC Mag". Ziff Davis, Inc. 21 December 1993 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "North Carolina Libraries". North Carolina Library Association. 4 September 1993 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ "Microtimes". BAM Publications, Incorporated. 4 April 1993 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ Proceedings of the ... Workshop on Neural Networks: Academic/Industrial/NASA/Defense : WNN-AIND ... Society for Computer Simulation International. 4 September 1993. ISBN 9781565550599 – via Google Books.
  12. ^ Wilson, Stuart. "About the "3D Construction Kit"".
  13. ^ a b "3D Construction Kit". www.3dconstructionkit.co.uk.
  14. ^ "3D Construction Kit 2 VHS Video (3D Construction Kit 2.0 VHS Video)" – via www.youtube.com.
  15. ^ "3D Construction Kit 2 review from Amiga Power 21 (Jan 1993) - Amiga Magazine Rack". amr.abime.net.
  16. ^ "3D Construction Kit II - Amiga Format, Issue 42, January 1993".