Free 3D Design Programs?
by Zack Routh · in General Discussion · 03/31/2010 (2:45 pm) · 14 replies
I know the word "free" asks a lot. I'm focusing on getting a job and learning the Torque 3D stuff. But first when you get into the scene you need a model to mess around with in order to do that. Is there any good free 3D programs to your point of view that I can look at the 3D program site and download?. I'm currently working with Blender and its pretty much kicking the bucket for me. For some reason its more slower after I had to save and wipe out my computer. I have all the components back in it, still goes slow. I even made a character... So I would appreciate it if you would just tell me any program.
Note: I would also like to know how to create Terrain extensions. Y'know the little ".ter" extension at the end of the file. So I can make my own terrain. I had a problem with this in the past, but I can't remember...
Note: I would also like to know how to create Terrain extensions. Y'know the little ".ter" extension at the end of the file. So I can make my own terrain. I had a problem with this in the past, but I can't remember...
About the author
When raised about 4 years old I started playing on a Atari. Then after a year or two I got to play the NES, until after that. My first Playstation game when the Playstation One Console came out, and so on. I'm a born Video Gamer and I love games.
#2
As for creating terrains, you need to do that in the terrain editor in-game. You could also export a terrain from another program - have a look at Terragen and L3DT. I'm not sure if they export directly to the .ter format Torque requires, or whether you just export as a heightmap and load it into Torque.
03/31/2010 (8:12 pm)
Blender rules ;). Lots of people are scared by the interface, but I honestly don't understand why.As for creating terrains, you need to do that in the terrain editor in-game. You could also export a terrain from another program - have a look at Terragen and L3DT. I'm not sure if they export directly to the .ter format Torque requires, or whether you just export as a heightmap and load it into Torque.
#3
Blender Big learning curve for most
Milkshape Easy to learn but includes less(Fans would say it includes enough)
Torque Constructor Free and good for interiors(big buildings and such)
04/01/2010 (5:18 am)
Check these out for free 3D design apps:Blender Big learning curve for most
Milkshape Easy to learn but includes less(Fans would say it includes enough)
Torque Constructor Free and good for interiors(big buildings and such)
#4
04/01/2010 (8:00 am)
The only terrain tool external of the engine's built-in tools that exports to Torque is L3DT. The .ter that Terragen outputs is not the same format as used by Torque. To import terrains created by external tools other than L3DT you would need to export a heightmap of the terrain and import that into Torque's terrain editor.
#5
08/09/2010 (4:46 pm)
Wow, I forgot to reply to this post. Thanks you four. I'll try L3DT, I tried Terragen awhile ago. The interface I couldn't learn. Blender is great for creating enemy's and such, as you may all know. Having it for 1 year. I'll try to look at Torque Constructor as well. 
#7
Link with the list some of us back in the days made, with links to the homepages for the programs, some may not work :)
http://gendev.wikidot.com/developers-tools
here is the list:
Tools that cost:
Modelling:
3D studio Max 2008 - for models and animation
Maya 2008 - for models and animation
zbrush - models - high poly
3D world studio - like valve hammer… but not that advanced!
Softimage XSI - Modelling tool (about 3000 to 5000$)
DeleD Pro - Supported by Genesis Device Engine
Texture and images:
Photoshop CS3 - texture and images!
L3DT Professional Edition - terrain maps.
Free Tools:
Modelling 3D:
CB Model Pro - beta – characters
Blender- for models and animation
Delgine - Supported by Genesis Device Engine
Softimage XSI Mod tool - (free) (I think for personal/Modding use only)
GmaxGmax (free) (no real exporters included)
Wings 3d modeler
Moi3d modeler
Animation:
Anim8or - For Animation
Texture and images:
Pixen - Pixel-level image editing.
GIMP - texture and images.
inkscape - Vector image editing.
L3DT 2.5b standard - terrain maps and textures.
Allegorithmic - for bumb mapping
Sound making:
Audacity - Sound creation system
Ardour - Sound creation system
Exporters:
3d Object Converter - sort of a good converter, supports 468 (!) 3d formats but costs 50 bucks…
Special effects:
Nvidias FX Composer - free shader/Material/fx (up to ver.3.0) editor really useful
09/02/2010 (9:10 pm)
Look for Softimage XSI Mod tool, i remember it was free some time ago :) i dont know now, when i tried the link from my wikisite i ended up on autodesks site -.-Link with the list some of us back in the days made, with links to the homepages for the programs, some may not work :)
http://gendev.wikidot.com/developers-tools
here is the list:
Tools that cost:
Modelling:
3D studio Max 2008 - for models and animation
Maya 2008 - for models and animation
zbrush - models - high poly
3D world studio - like valve hammer… but not that advanced!
Softimage XSI - Modelling tool (about 3000 to 5000$)
DeleD Pro - Supported by Genesis Device Engine
Texture and images:
Photoshop CS3 - texture and images!
L3DT Professional Edition - terrain maps.
Free Tools:
Modelling 3D:
CB Model Pro - beta – characters
Blender- for models and animation
Delgine - Supported by Genesis Device Engine
Softimage XSI Mod tool - (free) (I think for personal/Modding use only)
GmaxGmax (free) (no real exporters included)
Wings 3d modeler
Moi3d modeler
Animation:
Anim8or - For Animation
Texture and images:
Pixen - Pixel-level image editing.
GIMP - texture and images.
inkscape - Vector image editing.
L3DT 2.5b standard - terrain maps and textures.
Allegorithmic - for bumb mapping
Sound making:
Audacity - Sound creation system
Ardour - Sound creation system
Exporters:
3d Object Converter - sort of a good converter, supports 468 (!) 3d formats but costs 50 bucks…
Special effects:
Nvidias FX Composer - free shader/Material/fx (up to ver.3.0) editor really useful
#8
09/03/2010 (1:03 am)
Wow Jonathan. Very nice Wiki site. Thanks to you, I can (as you said) look these up with the links. And while this being a good post for anyone to get help on. Thanks again Jonathan.
#9
09/03/2010 (5:07 pm)
Thanks! but I cant take all credit for this, we made this list back on another community, that don't exist anymore, and a lot of people help with this list. I hope that it will come in handy :)
#10
09/05/2010 (4:04 pm)
Oh ok, hahah. Yes, I agree too, it should come in handy to a lot of people. =] 
#11
12/03/2011 (6:02 pm)
OK I am using Blender, but I can not find a script that will import/export .DTS file formats. i also have milk shape but ite will expire soon. I'm use to useing GMax, but im not finding any scripts for importing with tha either, can some one please help me. I realy need to make some models to test my mouse scripts 
#12
Just buy milkshape, it has the best torque exporter available (Torque DTS plus 2.8.3).
If you are using gmax you may as well 'find' a copy of 3ds max and use either opencollada or the dts exporter, depending on which version you 'find', bear in mind that its illegal to use gmax or 3ds max for commercial projects
12/04/2011 (6:00 am)
When using blender export as collada.Just buy milkshape, it has the best torque exporter available (Torque DTS plus 2.8.3).
If you are using gmax you may as well 'find' a copy of 3ds max and use either opencollada or the dts exporter, depending on which version you 'find', bear in mind that its illegal to use gmax or 3ds max for commercial projects
#13
It's easy to use! Simple and not confusing.
12/04/2011 (10:37 am)
I think Constructor should be updated and have collada written into it as a native saveas option. :)It's easy to use! Simple and not confusing.
#14
I'll be adding something more for the forum. For free sounds you can visit this organizational website. "freesound.org" -- They are still adding more sounds weekly.
I'm pretty sure this whole thread has all the free programs or software that is virus free.
Thanks again everybody for contributing.
01/15/2012 (6:53 pm)
Indeed, Constructor should be updated. But I doubt it if they haven't updated it. They haven't released any version numbers to keep tabs on it production wise. Yet I do fancy it to create buildings.I'll be adding something more for the forum. For free sounds you can visit this organizational website. "freesound.org" -- They are still adding more sounds weekly.
I'm pretty sure this whole thread has all the free programs or software that is virus free.
Thanks again everybody for contributing.
Torque Owner Brandon Baker
World Core Studios