New ARENA & Expression software 1.5.000 Final (updated)

[Birch]

Update : The final 1.5.000 release is now available (no changes from Beta).


We are pleased to announce a new release of the ARENA / ARENA Expression software. Version 1.5.000 beta 4 is now available for download.

Please post feedback in this thread

Licensing :
Requires licenses valid through Dec. 7, 2009 ( check license status here)

Product pages :
* ARENA
* ARENA Expression

Downloads :
http://media.naturalpoint.com/software/ ... beta.4.exe

http://www.naturalpoint.com/optitrack/s ... loads.html

Changes in Beta 4
* Added OptiHub sync panel support
* Added marker renaming panel
* Added MotionBuilder 2009 & 2010 plugin support
* Added per window textured floors and background
* Added V100R2 high power mode
* Changed to hiding irrelevant markers in face template wizard
* Improved rotate/scale object controls
* Updated NatNet version to 2.1
* Fixed close all on skeleton/rigidbody/face template
* Fixed take names not saving
* Fixed 2D camera view glitches on x64 systems
* Fixed exposure, residual and rays settings altered by wizards


Previous Betas :
For information about changes and feature additions for previous 1.5 beta releases, please visit see the following forum post :
http://forum.naturalpoint.com/forum/ubb ... #Post37256

[jsonedecker]

I am a bit confused and "disgruntled" with the above note that this new Beta version requires a license valid through December 7th. I am using Beta 3 as it was in my valid license term, but Beta 4 is no longer in my term.

Given that these are Beta releases don't you feel it warranted and justified to follow through with licensees to the next final build if their license falls within multiple Beta releases? I don't feel it fair that we get cut off with unfinished software like that.

I know SW development is tough, but 4 months between Betas makes this policy even more unfair in my opinion. If you allow us to start down an upgrade path then you should allow us to finish it.

-John

[Birch]

Hello,

Its common for large applications to see only one production release per year. The current Arena beta 4 is targeted to be the 1.5 final release (unexpected changes aside), which should bring its 1.5 release in just under a year after 1.4. We think this is reasonable.

You might consider the licensing from another perspective. Even though you have not paid for your license to be current for the 1.5 final release you've had the benefit of being able to use (and may continue using) fully functional 1.5 betas with numerous improvements. If the changes and upgrades would be useful to you, we hope you will consider re-upping your license once 1.5 goes final.

[jsonedecker]

Hi Birch,
I certainly agree that the release schedule is normal and acceptable. Sorry if it came off any other way.

However, I am still dismayed at the way the versions are handled with licensees due to the fact that you allow us to use Beta versions of a new release but not the actual final release. I guess it's a "this or that" kind of situation because we do get to use features of upcoming releases but if those new features are buggy then they end up being worthless if you cannot get the final release without re-upping.

I guess you can argue it many different ways, but for some reason I keep keying on the fact that you allow me to use a work in progress but not the final product that it leads to. Maybe that's the glass half empty view.

[etauer]

Has this version fixed the A/V capture save issues that occured with the last beta?

[Birch]

[quote=etauer]Has this version fixed the A/V capture save issues that occured with the last beta? [/quote]

Can you be more specific about the issues you were having?

[etauer]

[quote=NaturalPoint - Birch Zimmer][quote=etauer]Has this version fixed the A/V capture save issues that occured with the last beta? [/quote]

Can you be more specific about the issues you were having?[/quote]

Yes, When using the seventh camera and a mic in my expression system to capture scene a/video, the video file is saved after the recording but it was not possible to open the file in any external video editing package. I spoke with your support about this and they said it was a known issue. To work arround it I have gone back to 1.4.

[Birch]

Hello,

Since 1.5 is now final we will look in to resolving the scene a/v export issue in a future release.

Note : you can have 1.4 and 1.5 both installed on the same system if you want to (by installing 1.4, copy the folder to a new name, then installing 1.5).