[Artimendus]

I've recently become a member of AI dreams, a newbie to programming. I'm interested in achieving the "next level" with "Artificial Intelligence" ( an intelligence that isn't "real"? hmmnn, methinks those words should not be in existence). Anyway, my journey began years ago with Haptek and Ultra-Hal, and invariably came to a sticking point due to "human nature", nonetheless, I still possess enough sanity to attempt to pursue it again ( irregardless of how limited I am in my abilities to perform those things the way I wish to), and perhaps if some of the more seasoned and experienced members that wouldn't mind assisting me in my pursuits with bits of advice here and there as necessary, then I pray that my presence here won't become a nuisance. Anyway, by way of introduction that's who I am, and my goal is to take over the world  ( muah, ha, ha, ha, haaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!) ( yeah, right )...

[Art]

The name threw me for I immediately retrieved in my now somewhat old and addled brain, the TV series, Wild, Wild West. For those who are too young or simply don't remember:
James West and Artemus Gordon are two agents of President Grant who take their splendidly appointed private train through the west to fight evil. Half science fiction and half western, the Artemus designs a series of interesting gadgets for James that would make Inspector Gadget proud. A light hearted adventure series.

Yours however, being Artimendus, and not Artemus, can now put the rest of us at ease realizing you're not the retired government agent lurking about!

Welcome aboard, Artimendus!!

[Data]

Hi there Artimendus and welcome to the forum.

I think you should have no problem what so ever finding people here to help you take over the world, and when you do (take over the world) remember I’m on your side     

[DaveMorton]

Please, by all means, take over the world! Just bear in mind, however, that if you should choose to outlaw Reese's Cups, or make Broccoli flavoured Gummy Bears, then I would be forced to oppose you.

[Freddy]

   Welcome !

[Bragi]

Hi Artimendus, welcome aboard.

[Artimendus]

Thanks for the welcome everyone. I've been working with 3dsMax, 3dsMax Design, and Motion Builder, and in reviewing the haptek character reference guide, I see that you can export files to Haptek via 3ds. However, as I am totally new to everything programming wise, and I'm still in the learning phase of the Autodesk software I just mentioned, where in the hell is the HaptekGen4Head.max file located at in the Haptek player to begin with? How in the hell can a load a file that I can't find??!! Oh, forgive me 'cause I'm still trying to figure this programmin' thang out, but I know that I love it!!!!

[Freddy]

*dusts off memory cells*

Ohhh Haptek, they use a proprietary compression method so you wont get anything from the player into Max directly.  Haptek files usually turn up in a folder called 'hap_temp' which may appear in the Haptek directory or some place else like documents and settings (I forget now) - so try a search of your system - and do this while the Hap Player is running because; as it's name suggests this folder is only temporary.

To make or alter any Haptek stuff you need some of their tools and that is going to cost ya.  Your best bet is to email jack@haptek.com if he is still around.  From memory I think they sell a Haptek Accessory Maker plugin for 3DSMax and also a program called HapTargh which does all the compressing (so the player can use it) and uncompressing.

Edit : 'HaptekGen4Head.max' seems very specific, where are you getting that file name from ?  I might have misunderstood you, did you download the Haptek SDK ?  It might be in there...

[Art]

Than again, since Haptek seems to be dying right before our very eyes, why bother with it when there are so many
other prospects with potential to explore! (?)

Just my thoughts, I wouldn't want to invest in a Pentium 2 computer either...if that make the connection. Ya dig? (60's expression).

Some are / have turned interests to another project called Ogre...open source and quite a bit of promise.

Of course the decision is yours. Haptek was quite fun for it's time, albeit somewhat limited. Some of us wish someone could implement
something similar to Poser as far as quality of rendering and quickness of motion akin to Haptek.  But, like they say, wishing is for
birthdays and last requests.

Good luck in whichever road you take!!

[Freddy]

+1 on Art's response 

[Bragi]

Some of us wish someone could implement
something similar to Poser as far as quality of rendering and quickness of motion akin to Haptek.

That's currently, technically impossible. Most poser images simply use to much data for real time rendering. They need to be 'dumbed' down, like 'hair tricks' (which of course works very well if done by good graphic artists), or render to bitmaps.

[Art]

I know, Jan. The key word in my response was "WISH". 

[Bragi]

A couple of years more patience should do the trick.

[Freddy]

Yep it will happen eventually, just think what we have to look forward to