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Poor Mans 3D modelling tools

by Lobo the Duck · in Artist Corner · 04/21/2006 (12:00 pm) · 8 replies

I'm a student which is another word for skint so im looking into free modelling software. Now I am thinking between:

1. Blender
2. Shaper
3. Anim8or
4. Wings
5. Milkshape (but it seems a bit dated now)

I have had some experience with milkshape 3d and im open to suggestions (any other modelling software) so any advice would be apprecated.

regards

Lobo the Duck
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Torque Owner Don Cravey
#1
04/21/2006 (12:17 pm)
I would suggest Blender, mostly because I've used it. I don't know how good the other programs are. But, Blender is fully customizable and versatile. It uses Python scripts as well. I only started using it last summer. Now I'm showing others how to use it. It only looks complicated when you first start off with it. But, after you go over the basics, the layout and window setup make perfect sense. If you choose Blender and you need any help with it, let me know. I also know how to get setup for Python, although I'm sure a lot of people here already know how to do that.

Torque Owner Dennis De Marco
#2
04/21/2006 (12:48 pm)
There is another program running around called Shape 3D inversesoftware.com/Shaper/index.php Which you might want to look at. I found about this a couple days ago. I tinkered with Blender, but I have not had much time or luck with it. It does not seem very intuitive off the bat.

I'm planning on using MilkShape, Shape3D and down the road Blender. I find using Milkshape is a big help in just converting file formats and learning on how to do characters. There are many good tutorials out there.

- Dennis

Torque Owner Lobo the Duck
#3
04/21/2006 (1:11 pm)
@ Don: I have the blender 2.3 guide and found it hard, but interesting. I might have to give it another read. Thank you for your help.

@ Dennis: I'm looking at shaper also especially how torque specific it is made. Thanks for the advice.

Torque Owner Joe Rossi
Indri Games
#4
04/21/2006 (2:27 pm)
For animations I really like PaceMaker www.goddysey.com. For modelling Shaper has lots of potential, and I like Silo. Sure Blender is free, but it's not very easy to use...

Torque Owner Lobo the Duck
#5
04/22/2006 (1:58 am)
@ Joe: Pacemaker also looks to be a solid animation tool. Thanks

Damn now I have more choices than I started with. lol

Jeroen
#6
04/28/2006 (2:58 pm)
Don't forget DeleD 3D Editor, to be found at http://www.delgine.com. Features lots of lowpolygon functions, Constructive Solid Geometry, lightmapping and various fileformats (a Torque exporter is in the making... finally ;)).

Torque Owner Lobo the Duck
#7
04/28/2006 (3:44 pm)
This looks like a quality piece of kit, im gonna try it out now. cheers

Torque Owner John Rockefeller
#8
05/08/2006 (12:00 am)
Don't forget it's not only how good the modeling tool is, but also how good the converter between the native file format and .DIF files is. Does anyone have any first-hand experience with some of the converters for these other modeling programs?