Which Modeling Software to Buy?

#1 I think lightwave is the most affordable industry tool as far as I know.

Just under a grand in US dollars I think ($900 i believe, not sure) .

They used it in 300 and the tv series 24 so its up there with maya/max .

#2 Oh.. I assume you have used up your 30 day trial of max?

#3 Well honestly 3 months ago when Tim left I resorted to the trial after that
well lets just say... im just getting sick of Fdisking every 30 days.

#4 I'm glad you asked this question since I was thinking of asking myself. I just purchased TGE and haven't done much 3D modeling. I have Lightwave (academic) and an older version of Truespace.

For myself, since I don't have any tool preference, a very important factor is how well it exports to DTS format. It seems from my reading of the forums, that the best supported are max, maya, and milkshape. Learning curve is also a consideration, since I have to learn the level editor, the Torque editors, and the TGE itself. Price is also an issue for me, so max and maya are probably out unless I can get academic versions. Perhaps some people with more experience can jump in and here and make some recommendations based on capatibility with Torque, price, and learning curve?

#5 If you are looking for software that about $100.00. LightRay3D is the best for the money. I have been using it for while now and I simple love it. Plus it has a 3ds max feel. Yes it has a Torque export.

#6 You may take a look at Blender...it has a very weird interface, but I think after you get past that it might be pretty good. The exporter seems to have a lot of decent options as well, and a new version was just released. If you need something that does "organic" type modeling, you might also take a look at Silo, which someone else on the forums here pointed out in another thread I saw(it's only about $150, as opposed to ~$550 for ZBrush).

#7 Thanks for the suggestions, I was testing out silo 2 it's very easy to get around in tho I'm wondering if there is any dts exporter for it or any Torque support at all?

Also I took a look Hexagon 2, I liked it as well but no Torque support for it at all which left me looking around again. Still I'm not 100% sure what to Invest in or which has the most documentation and tutorials.

#8 I don't know about DTS export from Silo, but you could most likely export to something else, like Blender or such that does.

#9 Well if exporting is an issue and price is aswell I would go for whatever works for you and your means, and I would also get milkshape at its low price for the export ability and make sure you can export across in a compatible format for animation etcetera. Not the most zen option, but the most cheap and cheerful.

But for an allround package that shouldnt leave you wanting much you need to spend at least a couple of hundred.

Tbh Blender is the ideal solution as far as I can tell. Costs nothing... But you obviously didnt take to it.
I cant blame you, I didnt myself ..but its ability and price makes me keep an eye on it now and then.

#10 Silo and Hexagon have no DTS export, and neither one supports animation. I prefer Modo to either of these SubD modeling apps, but that's mostly an interface thing (plus I can make the interface do what I want).

The Lightwave exporter is excellent, as are the Maya, Milkshape, Blender, and Max exporters. The XSI exporter is on its way to greatness as well. I have Lightray3D as well, and it is a rather nice and intuitive (and inexpensive) program. Gamespace has a strange interface, but is a rather nice program as well. It also has good DTS and map exporters.

#11 Well I don't understand why it is you refuse to work with blender. Not only is it perfectly capable, it's free. I think the trouble it would take to learn and shift from max would be well worth saving a couple grand.

#12 I didn't' post this thread for you to understand why I don't like blender, I'm willing to spend 1000$ tops my only issue right now is which one is "Industry Proven"
Has best support,stability,reliable,tutorials,training,community/without forum kiddies
Blender takes no advantage with my PC setup and lacks many features and speed and the UI is just horrible controls like a 1970s gremlin hit just hard enough it blows up and crashes.

Need I go on? Point is who cares how "I" feel about blender?

[snip]
Sorry if I seem harsh but I would rather ------------- earn the extra money for max.


Mod edit: Please refrain from vulgarity and explicit sexual descriptions on our forums.

#13 I'm predominantly a 3ds Max user however have experimented with other applications.

I can't vouch for their stability regarding the DTS pipeline however I would recommend looking into the following products:

• Milkshape 3D $25 US
• GameSpace $299 US
• SOFTIMAGE|XSI Foundation $495 US
• LightWave 3D $895.00 US

They all have free trial versions and DTS exporters available.

Not that it's important but for the record I completely understand your desire to shy away from Blender.

#14 All of the applications that Tim listed have good support, forums, and tutorials. Milkshape used to have some animation track issues for complex animations, but that was a *LONG* time ago. Gamespace's forums became inundated with new users when the Lite edition was released, but the community has been consistently friendly and welcoming. I haven't been there for a while, though. XSI and LW have strong and active communities. If your workflow was good with Max, then XSI is probably your best bet for a workflow. Lightwaves is different, but I find it extremely intuitive to how I work. The XSI exporter is a ways behind the others, though.

One question on the Blender thing, though. Have you tried the Max mapping interface? It sets up Blender with shortcuts and the GUI in a Max-centric fashion. It was *MUCH* more intuitive to use.

#15 I just don't like it either way, But on a side note I did find that XSI also has a 3ds max key mapping to make you feel a bit at home. Tho I like XSI much better and rather pay for it then use a free piece of trash like blender.

Anyhow I also am trying True Space 7.52 and I found it to be very tasteful, So what I'm planning on is purchasing both True space 7.52 and delginePro with the new Torque Exporter 2.1 then I'm going to purchase 3DWS 5.52 for my Interior modeling and with 6.0 coming soon I will be most pleased with it even more so.

*I forgot to mention Lightray3D to my list*

#16 Hey John, dont know if you have a problem with constructor, but its free for interior modeling. Just bringing that up in case you didnt know, didnt see that brought up here in the thread.

#17 MOD EDIT: Please refrain from personal attacks. They are unwarranted and against our forum use policies.

#18 No offence intended, but who really cares?

When it comes to digital content creation programs, you have to find the one that bests suits you - it's a personal choice. It's about finding the product that just feels right, for you.

There's no need to start a DCC induced plasma oblivion religious war. If someone doesn't like Blender, so what; is that really going to affect your outcome in life?

#19 ...

#20 Precisely. I don't go around calling Logan names because he's a Max user and I prefer Lightwave. It is a rather pointless debate that ends up with those of us who have been using different apps for years knowing one truth: use what works best for you and gets your work done with an optimal workflow. Of course, starting out and trying to figure out a workflow is difficult since learning 3D modeling and an interface at the same time.

EDIT:
Just thought I'd note a bit more about realizing workflow. The reason that I use Modo for a huge portion of my modeling/texturing is that it improved my workflow severalfold. I know Maya and Max and XSI users that have found the same thing with Modo. And I know some people who hate using it. I use it in conjunction with Lightwave and love the workflow between the two. Combined with the DTS exporter for LW, I'm a very happy camper.