OTOY Forums

Look everyone, I was one of those people that freaked out after I found out about the net connection. OK, saying freaked out might have been to put it lightly. Needless to say, I not only got my point across (AKA I don't like the idea of a net connection) I also made a fool of myself and jumped the gun.

At any rate, while refractive software didn't officially spill any big beans to me, they did hint around the edges of some real interesting things that are going along with the net link and Octane. They also said that the anti-piracy side of it is really just one small part/feature of a way they've envisioned Octane working for sometime- they've been working on it for over a year in parallel to what we already know about Octane. In other words there is A LOT of functionality and power that is coming to Octane and the net connection is critical to how it works.

They also re-assured me, several times, that Octane is not about to become some Autodesk police state. All I can say is it looks like there will be good and VERY promising reasons that we will want to participate instead of derail this topic into a war about net no net Octane and DRM. That said, if what they envision comes to fruition then I think they might stand to gain back other users and make a lot of new ones too.

Right now, after calming down, and learning a few more tid bits about the direction they are headed, the only fair criticism I can level at them is that they, trusting we wouldn't freak out, warned us of the small "down side" to their new plan without being able to tell us of all the good things it's going to do FOR US well beyond piracy etc. That said, these people are not Autodesk or even Pixologic, they are an extremely small group of people who are passionate about making their software, not a large group that can afford a PR manager and Madison Ave to run controls and campaigns over their image and what they say. So sometimes they leak things out, for better or worse, that maybe they should have held closer, or found a better time for. You know, like some of our rants! We're human, and they are human.

When I think about recent history, I can recall a time when a certain small 3D start up software company made a far more serious gaff with their EULA that cost them a HUGE amount of customer base. A month later though they amended their EULA, assured their customer base that things were different, and have since been growing by leaps and bounds. I'm, as you've probably figured out, speaking of Pilgway and 3D-Coat.

With that also in perspective, I think refractive software stands to do well, even if there are a few bumps along the way!
In short, hey, I don't like the idea of a perm connection to the net, but their going to install safe guards and add A LOT of functionality to Octane render. So let's hold tight and take their word for it, as they've only delivered on their promises so far, and see what's in store for us. If we don't like it then, well then let's critique it, but AFTER we can touch, see, and interact with it, instead of just pounding away at what we fear COULD be.

For now, take a deep breath, pull up a scene that needs some path tracing, and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

well said. I hope all current users and new users of Octane can continue to benefit from using it and Refractive can continue to grow.

Nice intentions and feelings, but we all know that some good intentions can have bad consequences.

Even if some choices are made for US (and I have no doubt about good intentions of refractive team), in the effects they will be good for only SOME of US.

Imposing this kind of technical constraint without taking in account clients requirements and opinions looks imho like putting a filter at the entrance of the store.

amen. (referred to the first post)

don't wanna start a discussion about what users and developers can or cannot do and say. regardless our personal opinion on the whole net thingie I just think we should wait and see. c'm on folks, let's give them a break and let them work on new features and fixes. when beta 2.3 will be out we'll be able to try it and make our real conclusions (based on the REAL thing).

cheers,
A

when beta 2.3 will be out we'll be able to try it and make our real conclusions (based on the REAL thing).

Correction : people with a good and permanent internet connection will be able to try it an make real conclusions based on real things !

It is so simple, and THE ONLY reason that there are here and there so many topics opened about this problem is because people with required connection do not take care of people who have not and can't have. And I have to add that these people are also clients.

@pixelrush
What a charming lady!

as an immigrant who now lives in the USA. i have learnt that when something is "free" or "extreamly cheap".. there is always a catch to go with it... and you end up paying more in the long run.....
eg..
octane- very reasonalby priced- " extreamly cheap for what it does
to get good performance from octane - new or latest version of vidio card...$$$ no cheap
and soon - constant internet connect @ home - $$$$ not cheap... and unfortunatly not an option for me... i brought a licence for octane and have not activate it on any machine as yet... i use the demo so far cause i still don't understad how to do some stuff .... so where do i stand????.
Internet is not an option for me and i can't install Octane on my employer's computer with an active internet connection ..
some clarification as what would happen with my unused licencse would be nice for me...can i sell it?? I 've read that a refund is not an option..
thanks

it seems that too good to be true is a world wide thing....
Davis..

Hey look, I totally understand your guys concerns, and I'm not saying they're out of the woods yet on this, just that we need to give them some time, and see what they come up with before we "rage against the [two person] machine"!

Right now we're not sure what they are going to do over all, and let us not forget, we're not even at the commercial 1.0 release phase, so A LOT can change between now and then. I don't think peoples concerns and pleas have gone unheard.

I admire the Octane team...and the net connection will not in general be a problem for me at home. I am currently enjoying the software greatly!

I work in the defense industry, and yes...they do work in the closed rooms you hear people joke about. I had hoped in the future to introduce it into our production process. The computers run on a isolated network with no access to the outside world. You must check your HD out and in every single time you sit at...or leave your workstation. Your HD goes into a physical vault.

Given those constraints, it is why we use 3DSMax and Maya...they allow for a phone authentification based upon the codes generated when the software is installed. I was the autodesk administrator for our facility for quite a few years.
We must have the ability to authorize without the internet connection, otherwise the software cannot be used. The computer systems, depending on the project contain from Classified, Secret to Top Secret information. No internet access will ever be allowed.

If the software develops to where you must have internet, then I will continue to enjoy it at home. That will not change, but, I would have loved to have that same quality and speed at work. In other areas we may still be able to find the ability to use the software, so there is hope. Just, I do have concerns for the work done in the above area.

Oh well.....time will tell. I am hoping for the best, but enjoying what I have today.

Mike