What is good to use?
by fendory · in Artist Corner · 09/24/2005 (4:31 pm) · 4 replies
Hi, I am just getting into modeling. I am wanting to purchase a modeling/animation program and was wandering what do some of you think of the programs out there. I am taking an animation class, and there we are using Lightwave. I like it, but its a little too expensive for me to buy. I am also currently using Milkshape 3D while at home. I like this, but am not sure if its able do all the animations that I would like to do. I am just getting into this, I feel like a late bloomer and don't know how to look at these programs.
I would like to be able to items for games, but I also want to be able to do some animations. I know that there are a ton of programs, and I know that some do High Poly items and some like milkshape are for low poly. I don't want to purchase a program and find that it's not able to do most of what I want, but I also can't spend hundreds of dollars on the program.
What kind of advice can you guys give me?
Thanks for any help,
Josh
I would like to be able to items for games, but I also want to be able to do some animations. I know that there are a ton of programs, and I know that some do High Poly items and some like milkshape are for low poly. I don't want to purchase a program and find that it's not able to do most of what I want, but I also can't spend hundreds of dollars on the program.
What kind of advice can you guys give me?
Thanks for any help,
Josh
About the author
#2
Blender is free
Milkshape is 20$-ish
Maya is more than light wave
3ds max also more than light wave.
I recomend blender, its free, and quite powerful.
09/24/2005 (5:32 pm)
XSI is 500$Blender is free
Milkshape is 20$-ish
Maya is more than light wave
3ds max also more than light wave.
I recomend blender, its free, and quite powerful.
#3
ZBrush ($400? Worth it in every way) is great, too, so you might want to check that out.
If you go between the two of them, you can make some truly amazing high-polygon models quickly and (relatively) painlessly.
09/25/2005 (12:01 am)
If you're just getting into it, go with Blender. Don't get frustrated, though; Blender is an acquired taste.ZBrush ($400? Worth it in every way) is great, too, so you might want to check that out.
If you go between the two of them, you can make some truly amazing high-polygon models quickly and (relatively) painlessly.
#4
MilkShape is simple and easy to use, but I think it lacks depth as a full 3D modelling and animation solution. Yet, its various plugin tools and its insanely long list of import/export formats, including Torque DTS, makes it worth the $25 I paid for it. Although MilkShape is very basic, it will still suffice for creating static shapes, weapons, items, etc. for a commercial grade game. But just like you said, I am not confident enough in the animation system to create game characters in. And I really dislike its UV editor.
Maya is very user-freindly, and even more in-depth at the same time. It is one of the leading industry standards for superior quality 3D modelling and animation. The problems is, that its $7,000 price tag is pretty steep. I've tried the stripped down personal learning edition that came with UT2004. The program loads pretty slow and bogs down my Dual 1.4GHz processors.
While I use MilkShape for simple things like candle holders and such, I'd recommend using Blender primarily because it's the best all-around, if you weigh out the pros and cons. It has most of the features that these $1,000+ programs have, but its free and I am forever thankful for that.
I don't see how any indie developer can afford to use programs like Maya and 3D Studio Max, without taking out a large loan or putting their house up for mortgage. Whatever you choose, just make sure it has a DTS exporter available. Just watch out, some commercial programs actually make you pay for the DTS exporter as well.
09/28/2005 (11:54 am)
Blender is great, it is very in-depth, and it won't cost a dime. The user interface is kind of confusing at first, but there's video tutorials that make it pretty clear. And once you get to know the interface, you'll understand the brilliance of why it's designed that way. Despite the fact that Blender has a near infinite depth of features, it seems to load very fast, and feels very light on both my Linux and Windows computers while working in it.MilkShape is simple and easy to use, but I think it lacks depth as a full 3D modelling and animation solution. Yet, its various plugin tools and its insanely long list of import/export formats, including Torque DTS, makes it worth the $25 I paid for it. Although MilkShape is very basic, it will still suffice for creating static shapes, weapons, items, etc. for a commercial grade game. But just like you said, I am not confident enough in the animation system to create game characters in. And I really dislike its UV editor.
Maya is very user-freindly, and even more in-depth at the same time. It is one of the leading industry standards for superior quality 3D modelling and animation. The problems is, that its $7,000 price tag is pretty steep. I've tried the stripped down personal learning edition that came with UT2004. The program loads pretty slow and bogs down my Dual 1.4GHz processors.
While I use MilkShape for simple things like candle holders and such, I'd recommend using Blender primarily because it's the best all-around, if you weigh out the pros and cons. It has most of the features that these $1,000+ programs have, but its free and I am forever thankful for that.
I don't see how any indie developer can afford to use programs like Maya and 3D Studio Max, without taking out a large loan or putting their house up for mortgage. Whatever you choose, just make sure it has a DTS exporter available. Just watch out, some commercial programs actually make you pay for the DTS exporter as well.
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