Introduction

The scripting system in Strata Design 3D CX is based on version 5.0.2 of the open source Lua programming language with some features of the 5.1 release. Tightly integrated with the core application it provides for high level scriptability, as well as providing an integration point for 3rd parties wishing to provide plug-ins and extend the capabilities of Strata Design 3D CX.

Lua is a powerful programming language widely used for extending software applications. Companies like Blizzard (World of Warcraft), Criterion Studios (RenderWare used for Spongebob Squarepants, NBA Ballers, ESPN Major League Baseball and more), LucasArts (Empire at War), BioWare (Neverwinter Nights), UbiSoft (Far Cry), Double Fine Productions (Psychonauts), Nival Interactive (Blitzkrieg) and many, many more use Lua as a major part of their game development and scripting.

Even new favorites, such as Adobe’s Lightroom product, make wide use of Lua.

Integration of Lua in Strata Design 3D CX runs deep and wide. With Lua you can script object surfaces for creating custom transformations such as bending and twisting, exert control over shaders and textures, and access the rendering pipeline. You can provide custom camera lenses via lens scripting. Powerful Script FX shaders allow you to create procedural geometry, control time, and build effects based on an object’s surface normal, direction, lighting, volume, and by pixel color, depth, transparency, layer within the rendering – and much, much more.