Howdy!

I discovered 3D Rad around 2014, and I still find it to be a fantastic tool for learning game design. It's an incredibly easy and fun engine to play around with, despite it's issues. I know very little, so I'd like to find out it's story. 3D Rad been around since the 90s, but it seems to have had a complicated life. I'm sure quite a bit of information is lost by now, but anything, even speculation, would be greatly appreciated. This also includes 3Impact.

I have a lot of questions regarding it's past, as well.
- Are there any screenshots of 3D Rad older than v6? (Exluding v2)
- Are there any screenshots of 3Impact?
- What were the lost versions of 3D Rad like?
- What was 3Impact like?
- What was the difference between 3D Rad and 3Impact?
- Who were Studio Bitplane?
- Who was Fernando?
- Why did Studio Bitplane disappear  + Why did Fernando take control?
- Do you think 3D Rad could have succeeded if it was overhauled?
^ I personally think 'yes'.

Thank you for reading and/or replying!
~ Marc <3

1.) There was a download to the v5 version.
2.) There are 3Impact games on ModDB.
3.) @tinsoldier provided some resources as I remember.
4.) 3Impact is just a C++ library framework to use. Some headers to use in your own game. I was lazy to start learning using it.
5.) For the beginning: 3Impact is made by Fernando.
Fernando bought 3D Rad in the 2000's with some other devs. The other devs quit and Fernando was the one left remaining.
Fernando made 3D Rad v6, v6 being a wrapper of 3Impact.
6.) A fast google search shows no relevant information about BitPlane Studios. Propably a small company that went bankrupt.
7.) Fernando Zanini is the main dev of 3D Rad. That's mostly all you need to know.
8.) <answer already provided at  answer 5>
9.) Well I don't know for sure, v6 is already a overhaul of v5.

I had 3Impact installed, but I never really try it. 3Impact itself is just a DirectX wrapper (from what I've seen).

Even though its not perfect. I still find 3d rad an awsome program. Makes me want to learn programming, more seriosly

Prety much what Athanatos said.. but v5.2 was written by Leonardo, the last was v5.2 which when 3drad was sold to 3impact/studio bitplane, v5.2 was released as regidtered freeware.

When the sale happened leanardo was hired by 3impact to help with the transition and development.

We heard some problems developed between Leanardo & Fernando over what development direction 3rad should take.
Leonardo sold out completely to 3impact and walked away a very happy camper, probably driving his lambo to a beach somewhere where he sits all day sipping martini's. ( fernando's words, not mine)

3impact informed us they were attempting to add a basic like scripting language to the new 3drad to keep it "compatible" / "similar" with the v5.2.

We waiting months, nothing happened, so 3impact released v6.0 of 3drad as freeware, which was little more than a teaser.

Then a few months later we all got surprised when 3impact reported they had to add a more C like scripting engine... not much later 3drad v6.* was released.

EDIT:

Some time back, before the official 3drad forum closed, i contacted fernando, to inquire on taking over the forum , i had fears it mite disapear...

Fernando replied saying the forum cost a lot of money to keep running but wasn't interested on letting go. He also said the forum would continue on for the foreseeable future.

Tuyrns out that was 3ish months or so, and the 3drad & 3impact forums / companies seemed to end development... i cant say if anyone has heard otherwise..

NO, i don't believe 3drad v7.22 just needs an overhaul to fix its issues..

I strongly believe, its design was somewhat flawed from the get go and no enough testing was done alone the way to fine those little bugs/issues that today give us headaches .

A rewrite just as Athanatos is doing i think is the right path.. but its goning to be long for one sole developer to tackle.

Personally.... I would have started Athanatos version to look just like the current 3drad UI does.. but with enhancements the original 3drad left out.. LIKE

Scrollwheel menu interaction..
Being able to list all objects properties in one larger scroll-able page with some sorting options like object type / unsorted ( as added ) / date/time added / adjustable property windows for EVERYTHNG.
selectable and size adjustable text through out the program.

Word completion ( nice feature but can wait as an upgrade down the road ).

No FREE versions, no Trial-wear  no disabled menu items.

If you want the program, get ready to cough up some cash, if you have to save to get there.. thats life girls & boys...

The UI should allow adjustable  fonts and their colors with a "reset" to default.

An Error system that actually works, i'm a big believer in to much info is better then not enough..

If ANY error is found during a test run, the program should report the errors, offer the option to save to say an error directory, listed by date when found. then end the program test run.

Pressing the BIG RED X button should halt reporting errors untill a new test run has begun..

Welp thats a few things off my chest..