Best modeling program between 100 to say 600
by Jaren Watkins · in Artist Corner · 04/27/2008 (5:23 pm) · 17 replies
I would like to know what the best modeling program capable of creating models and preferably animating them then getting them into Torque is. I mean all I can find are blender and milkshape aren't there any say $100 - $600 worth buying that have more features! I just don't fell like spending 3 grand on one modeling program. ;)
About the author
#2
04/27/2008 (9:30 pm)
Ya I'll take a look at that! doesnt matter if there is a dts export as long as I can get it into Torque. =) 
#3
04/28/2008 (7:30 am)
The thing to be aware of is that you will need to get it into Torque using a DTS exporter, which means another program (Blender, Milkshape, etc), which can lead to conversion issues between the way Carrara exports a file and your secondary program reads it and any inconsistencies it may add to the process. Especially in terms of boned animation, which doesn't carry across different formats very well. 
#4
Great for modeling, powerful and small, with lots of features, unfortunately lacking Animating :(
Other wise, I think there is a plugin for it that exports .dts.
Then you could use Milkshape for Animating, only $15 (or 20?), but to me it is not as powerful as AC3D on the modeling, so I would suggest using both, it cuts you just under 100. I do use both, Milkshape for Animating and AC3D for modeling (and Paint.NET/Photoshop for texturing etc.)
Good luck.
04/30/2008 (9:37 am)
AC3D... ($80)Great for modeling, powerful and small, with lots of features, unfortunately lacking Animating :(
Other wise, I think there is a plugin for it that exports .dts.
Then you could use Milkshape for Animating, only $15 (or 20?), but to me it is not as powerful as AC3D on the modeling, so I would suggest using both, it cuts you just under 100. I do use both, Milkshape for Animating and AC3D for modeling (and Paint.NET/Photoshop for texturing etc.)
Good luck.
#5
04/30/2008 (11:04 am)
Great I'll check AC3D out but have you succesfully modeled something in AC3D Animated In Milkshape then exported into torque?
#6
It should work in Torque with no problems.
I have also made a little video for you:
http://blu123.net/barrett.avi
Good luck,
Liam.
04/30/2008 (8:22 pm)
Yes, a .50 Caliber Barrett Sniper, with animation (Milkshape) shooting and reloading. I have not tried it in Torque yet, I haven't owned it long enough to get the basics down.It should work in Torque with no problems.
I have also made a little video for you:
http://blu123.net/barrett.avi
Good luck,
Liam.
#7
04/30/2008 (9:07 pm)
Ty I have downloaded the trial and it seam really good! but when I exported it to Milkshape I could not open it with Milkshape which I already own!
#8
04/30/2008 (9:08 pm)
Thanks for the vid.! 
#9
it rocks.....still have to convert it, to get it into torque, but tons of features and tutorials....
if you want a little more you can get it with carerra and bryce with mimic studio for $199
by itself its on $75....but no it doesn't animate.....but it does tons of different types of modeling... both can be found at
www.daz3d.com/i.x/software/0/51kim8qds4nhpfd5dl6fbfg4b5/?&_m=d
it's also capeable of vertex modeling, booleans, and tons more....very intuitive also.....easy to work with...
I had problems with lots of the modeling packages while I was looking.....
so ultimately it is going to depend on which is most comfortable for you
Houdini now has a starving artist version that you can try for free.....if you like it you can get the torque converter plugin version for ..I think $100...
www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=589&Itemid=221
I tried it, and it could do a ton of stuff too, including animation....but I just wasn't comfortable with it....it's animation I think you can even include physics and it has muscle geometry systems and lots of cool other features too.....
most of these programs have a demo you can try....
you're just gonna need to check them out....
no matter how high or low the price...it doesn't do you any good if you can't stand using it...
I've also tried silo..
www.nevercenter.com/
..powerfull intuitive program... about $159
and modo 302
www.luxology.com/
also intuitive and powerful.... but a bit more pricy $895... out of my league, but they had a demo so I checked it out....
and then gamespace does quite a bit for you too... and they usually run specials...just download the demo for gamespace light...check out the free tutorials ..... and then wait... just about every couple of weeks they've got some other offer to pick it up cheaper.....
www.caligari.com/gamespace/
normally $299
to each their own.....
one of theese should take care of you nicely.... all are very professional... and all have been around a while...
and have plenty of features.....
05/08/2008 (2:33 pm)
Try Hexagon 2.... it rocks.....still have to convert it, to get it into torque, but tons of features and tutorials....
if you want a little more you can get it with carerra and bryce with mimic studio for $199
by itself its on $75....but no it doesn't animate.....but it does tons of different types of modeling... both can be found at
www.daz3d.com/i.x/software/0/51kim8qds4nhpfd5dl6fbfg4b5/?&_m=d
it's also capeable of vertex modeling, booleans, and tons more....very intuitive also.....easy to work with...
I had problems with lots of the modeling packages while I was looking.....
so ultimately it is going to depend on which is most comfortable for you
Houdini now has a starving artist version that you can try for free.....if you like it you can get the torque converter plugin version for ..I think $100...
www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=589&Itemid=221
I tried it, and it could do a ton of stuff too, including animation....but I just wasn't comfortable with it....it's animation I think you can even include physics and it has muscle geometry systems and lots of cool other features too.....
most of these programs have a demo you can try....
you're just gonna need to check them out....
no matter how high or low the price...it doesn't do you any good if you can't stand using it...
I've also tried silo..
www.nevercenter.com/
..powerfull intuitive program... about $159
and modo 302
www.luxology.com/
also intuitive and powerful.... but a bit more pricy $895... out of my league, but they had a demo so I checked it out....
and then gamespace does quite a bit for you too... and they usually run specials...just download the demo for gamespace light...check out the free tutorials ..... and then wait... just about every couple of weeks they've got some other offer to pick it up cheaper.....
www.caligari.com/gamespace/
normally $299
to each their own.....
one of theese should take care of you nicely.... all are very professional... and all have been around a while...
and have plenty of features.....
#10
After briefly mentioning the game I have been building ( and never blogged about yet ) he asked what modeling software I use..
After some chat about what suits this engine best he told me to use Lightwave. His comment was that "it's all you'll ever need."
Even while I mentioned 3Ds Max and Maya being competitors he quickly pointed out the price tags for those and told me to learn Lightwave since it has a very reasonable price in the $800 range and has directly usable exports for Torque with the plug-in.
I've already been making simple models and just started my first attempt at a character I have to say I really enjoy Lightwave 9.
Blender is free and is also highly recommended by thousands of people that swear by it.
The odd looking UI puts off a lot of people but I read that when you get used to working with Blender that you'll actually produce your graphics much faster.
05/08/2008 (4:14 pm)
I've been using LightWave 9. One day while at work I spoke to an Artist that makes sculptor for a very large and very wealthy world wide known company... After briefly mentioning the game I have been building ( and never blogged about yet ) he asked what modeling software I use..
After some chat about what suits this engine best he told me to use Lightwave. His comment was that "it's all you'll ever need."
Even while I mentioned 3Ds Max and Maya being competitors he quickly pointed out the price tags for those and told me to learn Lightwave since it has a very reasonable price in the $800 range and has directly usable exports for Torque with the plug-in.
I've already been making simple models and just started my first attempt at a character I have to say I really enjoy Lightwave 9.
Blender is free and is also highly recommended by thousands of people that swear by it.
The odd looking UI puts off a lot of people but I read that when you get used to working with Blender that you'll actually produce your graphics much faster.
#11
05/12/2008 (10:01 am)
Ken I Have been using the demo of hexagon for about a month now and I LOVE IT! but I just couldnt figure out how to get stuff into Torque so I just quit on it. If you ever figure out how to get stuff from Hexagon into Torque I would defenently buy it.!
#12
05/12/2008 (10:02 am)
Scott I will check out Lightwave right away. 
#13
LW's modeler is still great. However, if it's not about a complete 3D package, I recommend--as has been done before here--taking a look at Modo. Price range is about the same and it has a gorgeous interface, a great modeler, great 3D painting and sculpting functionality, and also a real good renderer.
@Jaren
For any program that does not have its own Torque DTS exporter, you will have to export as an OBJ (or some other format supported by the next app; Collada is a good and widely supported format) and then import into an application that has an exporter for Torque.
05/12/2008 (10:22 am)
LightWave rocks. Its renderer is just godly. Still remember how I felt when switching to XSI and being faced with Mental Ray...LW's modeler is still great. However, if it's not about a complete 3D package, I recommend--as has been done before here--taking a look at Modo. Price range is about the same and it has a gorgeous interface, a great modeler, great 3D painting and sculpting functionality, and also a real good renderer.
@Jaren
For any program that does not have its own Torque DTS exporter, you will have to export as an OBJ (or some other format supported by the next app; Collada is a good and widely supported format) and then import into an application that has an exporter for Torque.
#14
05/12/2008 (2:46 pm)
I checked out LightWave, I was amazed. I always though Hollywood used Maya or 3DS Max for effects, but...
#15
05/12/2008 (3:36 pm)
I learned 3D modeling/animation using Lightwave on Amiga. I've always loved using it but switched to Blender for now because of price. 
#16
Here's the link for the price $495.00
http://store.softimage.com/store/Products/Details/default.asp?fam=false&ITEMID=250&lang=en
05/14/2008 (5:17 pm)
Look into Softimage. I use it for doing everything: modeling, texturing, animating and exporting. The torque Exporter is still in Beta stage as far as I know. Someone's working on getting it finalized. Its not so different from Maya and can import from Max. Also it exports great into Z-brush for making Normal Maps.Here's the link for the price $495.00
http://store.softimage.com/store/Products/Details/default.asp?fam=false&ITEMID=250&lang=en
#17
Does the exporter work in foundation, too? I wasn't sure if it was or not so I hesitated to get it.
06/17/2008 (11:24 pm)
To Justin Myers:Does the exporter work in foundation, too? I wasn't sure if it was or not so I hesitated to get it.
Torque Owner Benjamin Thomas
it realy depends on what you want. I would download trial versions of modeling programs that look like something you might want before spending money :)