What 3D apps are you using?
by David Chan · in Artist Corner · 07/02/2009 (1:13 pm) · 14 replies
Hey folks, just trying to conduct a little informal poll to find out what 3D apps people are using. Just a little research for pureLIGHT.
About the author
Got my start at BioWare in 1999. First project was MDK2 and last project was Mass Effect. Since then I've worked on indie titles and other games like Prey and Splinter Cell. Got my start at pureLIGHT late last year as the Product Manager.
#2
07/02/2009 (1:44 pm)
Truespace is free too, so interested people should grab that up while it's hot. 
#3
07/02/2009 (2:06 pm)
100% Blender.
#4
07/02/2009 (2:23 pm)
Would an ASE Blender Export script be something you folks would use if we provided it? We are just noticing that Collada doesn't have any official method of supporting smoothing groups and it's one thing that pureLIGHT really likes to use to help the lighting blend better.
#5
07/02/2009 (2:45 pm)
I bought Lightwave because I detest the way AutoDesk does business. 
#6
07/02/2009 (4:16 pm)
Modo, Lightwave, and a little Houdini. I enjoyed Silo's workflow as well. 
#7
L3DT for terrain generation
Daz3D for concept art
Not exactly 3d, but for 3d and other art pipeline tasks:
guile[s] for generating lightmaps -- looking to experiment with pureLight but since I don't use Torque for most of my game projects then I haven't tossed my hat in the ring yet. guile[s] is free and works with that other game engine. ;-)
PixPlant for generating normal maps, etc
Ultimate Unwrap for model format conversions
07/02/2009 (4:42 pm)
Blender for modeling and some texture generationL3DT for terrain generation
Daz3D for concept art
Not exactly 3d, but for 3d and other art pipeline tasks:
guile[s] for generating lightmaps -- looking to experiment with pureLight but since I don't use Torque for most of my game projects then I haven't tossed my hat in the ring yet. guile[s] is free and works with that other game engine. ;-)
PixPlant for generating normal maps, etc
Ultimate Unwrap for model format conversions
#8
07/02/2009 (4:46 pm)
I have been demoing XSI and Maya and believe I am about to settle on Maya myself....Houdini may be used for cut scenes....
#9
07/02/2009 (6:20 pm)
Maya, Im currently testing out Zbrush. 
#10
Maya is on my list as well but not until next year most likely.
07/02/2009 (6:34 pm)
Modo, 3DS Max.Maya is on my list as well but not until next year most likely.
#11
07/02/2009 (7:48 pm)
Houdini! Incredible app. 
#12
3D smax - base modeling, animation, rendering, zdepth maps, ambient occlusion
Zbrush - high res modeling, normal maps, texturing
There are some really good workflows using 3ds to zbrush. Also, zbrush links to photoshop for projections. It is so much faster than projecting within 3d studio max, then bringing into photoshop for cleanup on a texture.
Maya seems to have some really good workflows too, but that's some serious cash to plop down for a transition.
07/03/2009 (2:02 am)
Photoshop - texturing, concept art, compositing3D smax - base modeling, animation, rendering, zdepth maps, ambient occlusion
Zbrush - high res modeling, normal maps, texturing
There are some really good workflows using 3ds to zbrush. Also, zbrush links to photoshop for projections. It is so much faster than projecting within 3d studio max, then bringing into photoshop for cleanup on a texture.
Maya seems to have some really good workflows too, but that's some serious cash to plop down for a transition.
#14
07/03/2009 (3:51 am)
Blender & Gimp, I don't need anything else ;) 
Associate Michael Hall
Distracted...
Constructor, but... that whole format (and style of modeling) is going the way of the dodo.
Been dabbling with Truespace and XSI lately.