Looking for some feedback here. Perhaps especially from contributors.

As most know by now there are some pretty serious issues with moving models back and forth between v12 and v13. The file formats are too different. For the most part you can go forward but you can't go back.

I was making some pretty good progress on organizing DVD content today when I launched into creating some early Library files. All was going well until I was reminded of the file format issue.

Something as simple as creating a preview image in v13 will prevent loading the file in v12 and before because the file would have to be saved.

The optimum solution would be to keep files in v12 format as much as possible. This unfortunately is also a whole lot more work. On the plus side A:M Users can open v12 files in v13 and save them into the new format. For the files being contributed in v13 the only way to enjoy them would be to upgrade.

So I guess I have the answer but its not a perfect solution.
Good thing v12 now has the 'Create Icon' function working or I'd be in a lot more trouble.

Where this is perhaps most problematic is with really old files that never had preview images to begin with.

Rodney ,if everything was done for v13 it would be a good insentive to upgrade ,upwoods and onwards

Yep, v13 all the way. Most of the time it will be bundled with v13 anyway. If someone gets it and doesn't have v13.....tough cookies.

V13!!!

Interesting responses.
I would have guessed people would lean toward v12.

So much for my powers of prediction.

What are the bets we all have v13?

Maybe a poll?

I could argue either way.

We are not on V13 (have it but work in V12).

The right decision seems to be to use Version 13.
By the time the extras CD is released, we should have V13 released.
Realize that we are going to be amongst the last to migrate simple because of WIP.
We usually wait till a version has been out a while.
Particularly given the model conversion that will occur when opened in V13.
When we move to a new version we move all the render slaves etc.

The antithesis to this argument is that if V13 can open all V12 models anyway, why go through all the work of converting them? Plus that way every one can open and use them.

Ken, perhaps you are right, take a poll to see how many are on what Version.
Maybe have a category for people like us who have it (V13) but use V12.

David

You're going to upgrade anyway Dennis. If this cd is the reason for lots of people to upgrade then it would be worth converting the models to the new format. Afterall, the better Hash do, the better AM does.

Ken,
I think you meant me.

You are absolutley right regarding Hash (The better Hash does, the better A:M does).
I guess I'll always be laggging behind. (my mother always told me I was a little slow).

Yes, sorry David.

I think its fair to say the majority of A:M users do not have v13.
v13 isn't even released yet technically.

Being able to use content on the Extra DVD is a nice incentive for everyone to upgrade but I think its an even better incentive to use the A:M they already have.

Its well known that I think everyone should subscribe to v13 (you don't have to use it but the subscription you pay will make it a better program for when you do).

That being said I still champion the underdog, the v8.5p++ user, the v9 user, the v11 and v12 user and everything in between. (I'm a fan of those A:M Users that would use pre-v8.5 but can hardly support them!)

As a business decision it makes good sense to have all content v13.
A:M isn't a business for me (in the $ sense at least) so that is only one factor.
Hash Inc is paying for the DVDs so that makes it their show.
If they want to focus on v13 content that's a fine business decision.

For my part I do have to at least consider the impact v13 content will have. I remain independent and committed to all of the A:M Community not just those fortunate few who already own v13. I work for Hash Inc only in the capicity that I work for you (the A:M user).

Ultimately this is not my decision but its a decision that has to be made.
It will be rather impossible to turn back to v12 once we commit a file to v13.
There really is no right or wrong decision. We all just have to adjust to the decision we make.

At this time I won't intentionally update any file to v13 that doesn't need the conversion.
As I move ahead however I think a lot of files will accidentally get pushed in that direction.

Best,
Rodney

I would go v13 -- but I have it . Those without v13 would probably like it if they had v12 models though. I mean you can just re-save the models as v13 if you want to. Some people can't afford to upgrade every year sometimes. Me being one of those.

It looks like two rational reasons for embracing v13 content are:

The majority of forum users (that post that is) are owners of v13.
Everyone who meets Hash Inc at a trade show will be getting the Extra DVD as they purchase or upgrade to v13.

That seems to make things a lot easier.

Rodney,
If it will make your life easier, then do it all in V13.

Ultimately most users will move to V13.

David

Thanks David... I think.

I guess I just don't wanna make the tough decisions as easy as they are to make.

I'll take your advice (and that of others) and I'll try to follow the path of least resistance.
Forgive me if I secret away some v12 updates along the path toward v13 to save for a rainy day.

So...

The focus of the Extra CD will be on v13.
I hope the Extra DVD will serve to inspire future A:M users as it honors the talented A:M users of the past.

If anyone has access to people that don't often frequent the forum PLEASE let them know what we are up to with the Extra DVD so I can reserve a spot for them on it.

Thanks for the input guys!

Considering that this is all "free content", I can't really see anyone having a legitimate gripe as to what version it's presented in. I'll toss my hat into the Version 13 bin as well, given that it makes too much sense to help promote the newest version.

-MWS-

use v12- v13 use a new file format that will not be "final" until v13 is released-

Most excellent idea.

I hereby declare that all files in v12 format will not be of the v13 variety.

Now if you are suggesting the v13 format may yet change before it goes 'final'... hmmm... is it too late to make a few suggestions?

Nevermind... just keep on doing what you are doing.

FYI... most of the stuff I have put up already was either in V13 or V12. I will have to check to see what's what.

Don't worry too much about the versioning Jody.
If v13 is what you've got. v13 is what we get.

The solution to this little delimma is out there we just have to stumble upon (or otherwise plan) it.

well of course v12 beacuse you can always import v12 to v13or can you