Nerd sniping convinces Microsoft to open source 3D Movie Maker from 1995
You can party like it’s 1995 with the newly open sourced Microsoft 3D Movie Maker.
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What you need to know
Microsoft 3D Movie Maker was initially launched in 1995. The program allowed you to place 3-D objects within environments to create films. The software looks dated now, but it was a fun way to play around with 3-D effects back in the day. Now, the classic program has been open sourced by Microsoft.
It appears that a 3D Movie Maker enthusiast was able to convince Microsoft’s Scot Hanselman to open source the software by “nerd sniping.” That term refers to when a person claims something cannot be done with the aim of someone proving them wrong.
“What’s the best way to get something done? Nerd-snipe an engineer and tell them it can’t be done. I HATE being told something can’t be done,” saidMicrosoft’s Scott Hanselman.
What’s the best way to get something done? Nerd-snipe an engineer and tell them it can’t be done. I HATE being told something can’t be done.What’s the best way to get something done? Nerd-snipe an engineer and tell them it can’t be done. I HATE being told something can’t be done.— Scott Hanselman 🇺🇦 (@shanselman)May 4, 2022May 4, 2022
Of course, Microsoft’s 3D Movie Maker from 1995 is out of support. In fact, it may not even work on newer PCs. “This project is unlikely to build successfully under modern hardware/software, but you can get started with compilation and get partial completed binaries,” explains theGitHub page for the program.
The files in the GitHub repository are for historical reference and will remain static going forward. Microsoft invites people to fork the repo and to experiment with the code.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
