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TrueSpace was a 2000s commercial 3D computer graphics and animation software developed by Caligari Corporation, a company founded in 1986. It was bought-out by Microsoft then released for free in 2008. In 2009 it was officially discontinued.

An alternative website and forum was created by the community of users : united3dartists. Software development continued through unofficial updates, thanks to the software's architecture, which was designed to facilitate the addition and integration of new tools.

Today, trueSpace is still a very capable piece of software with a fluid, fully customizable and intuitive interface. It remains an excellent polygonal modeling and animating tool with a fast CPU render engine. It supports numerous file exchange formats, enabling it to import and export to other software for rendering, 3D printing software. These include: 3DS, OBJ, DAE, FBX, STL, AI, EPS. This fansite gathers information for nostalgics and discoverers of retro applications.

Windows 11 compatibility notes :   TrueSpace runs fine in Windows 11 but : ■ Modelspace/Legacy window can not handle large monitors in DirectX mode. If you own a 4K monitor, you should use the Wireframe display mode by default, and use DirectX in a 2K floating window (like 1920x1080). ■ VRay may crash on some recent Intel CPUs because they are computing too fast ! The solution is to reduce the power of CPU in Windows's energy options : use the energy saving mode to reduce the power of your CPU before you start to render. ■ tS 7.61 Unofficial Update must run in Windows 8 compatibility mode to ensure dialog boxes are showing up properly.

 

tS 7.6 Original + VRay   This bundle contains the original tS7.6 installation file plus VRay installation. To complete VRay installation, you must load VRay RTX file into trueSpace : Open the Package manager, Right Click to Install New... Open the Vray_ts.rsx file Right Click to Load Close trueSpace to complete the process.   tS 7.6 Modelside Legacy Edition 1.2   This bundle is an unofficial edition (not an update) that focuses on trueSpace 4 to 6 architecture. Your antivirus may warn you about the installation file, but it is safe ! VRay is pre-installed and the installation files contains an exaustive package of plugins (*.tsx), sorted by category folders (modeling, animation, etc.).

tS 7.61 Beta Original   This package contains the original tS7.61 installation file. You MUST download and install THIS backage BEFORE you install any of the Unofficial Updates.     trueSpace7.61 workspace only   This version has had the legacy Model side removed and features only the new tools in the workspace side.     tS 7.61 Unofficial update 8   This is the Jan, 2025 edition. Install the update over a fresh installation of tS 7.61 Original to add all the new features.

 

As you can see above, several releases are available for download. To choose and download the right version for your needs, you must first read the story of trueSpace adventure :

Versions 4 to 6 of trueSpace were a worldwide success. Thanks to its affordable price and its interface, which made it easy to add third-party tools, hundreds of free and commercial plugins were added to enhance its functionality.

Over the years, however, the code had become very complicated to evolve. The core of the software was not compatible with new development standards.

A completely new program, called Rosetta, was implemented. Rosetta focused on real-time rendering and cooperation. Highly innovative for its time, it enabled several artists to create within the same 3D space, moving and communicating as if in a third-person network game !
Aware that Rosetta was a brand-new program, offering far fewer features than trueSpace 6, the developers planned to couple the old and new engines in the same software: two tabs enabled users to switch from one to the other via a real-time bridge. But version 7.0, as this version was known, was a commercial failure ! Many users were confused by this dual-interface software, which showed promise but ultimately offered fewer creative features than Cinema 4D and Blender, its closest competitors.

Version 7.5 attempted to turn things around: the VRay rendering engine was integrated into both the old and the new architecture, which now coexisted under the names Modeler and Workspace tabulation. The former was enhanced with HDRI mode support, while new tools appeared in the latter.

When development was halted, two versions coexisted: trueSpace 7.6 and trueSpace 7.61.
Despite their similarities, these two versions served two purposes:
- trueSpace 7.6 was more compatible with the plugins of earlier versions and provided excellent support for the VRay engine.
- In trueSpace 7.61, the old interface had compatibility problems, but the new core was more mature, allowing independent programmers to continue development despite the discontinuation of the product.

Several unofficial updates therefore coexist:

- There's trueSpace 7.6 original, or its Legacy Edition, which enhance the functionality of the old architecture by compiling the hundreds of plugins that were developed for it. This version is very reliable and can be used for professional purposes.

- There's trueSpace 7.61, in both full and standalone versions (i.e. with the old core completely removed from the interface), and its unofficial updates which implement new and complementary features.

To sum up :

trueSpace 7.6	➔ For VRAY rendering and use of trueSpace 6 plugins
trueSpace 7.61	➔ For new interface tools and core development