Shopping for 3D Modeling App
by H.T. Shipman · in Artist Corner · 07/27/2010 (11:32 pm) · 6 replies
Hello all,
I am shopping for a 3D modeling app and was looking for some recommendations. Which do you think is the most compatible with Torque? Are there any caveats?
Right now, I am leaning toward 3ds Max 2011, but I am completely open to advice from some of you who probably know alot more about this than me.
Thank you for your help,
hT
I am shopping for a 3D modeling app and was looking for some recommendations. Which do you think is the most compatible with Torque? Are there any caveats?
Right now, I am leaning toward 3ds Max 2011, but I am completely open to advice from some of you who probably know alot more about this than me.
Thank you for your help,
hT
#2
The first thing I'd ask myself is, "How much do I want to spend now, and in the future?". If money is no object, then yeah, Autodesk would likely be my choice (3DS MAX or Maya). If I want something more, how do I put it, 'reasonable', I'd look at perhaps Lightwave, or a combo of packages (one for modeling, another for animation). Then, of course, there is always Blender. If I knew how to program or had a programmer available to me, I'd *definitly* look at Blender, because you could get the coder to custom write an import/export plugin for everything you need Torque to have.
Last, but not least, I'll also have to give a nod to ZBrush4. Ever since I bought ZBrush a couple of years ago, Pixologic continues to amaze and inspire me! That company simply ROCKS! Hands down. They are easily the MOST generous and polite of companies I have ever dealt with. Just on those facts alone would get me to invest in ZB. :)
^_^
Paul L. Ming
07/28/2010 (4:54 am)
Hiya.The first thing I'd ask myself is, "How much do I want to spend now, and in the future?". If money is no object, then yeah, Autodesk would likely be my choice (3DS MAX or Maya). If I want something more, how do I put it, 'reasonable', I'd look at perhaps Lightwave, or a combo of packages (one for modeling, another for animation). Then, of course, there is always Blender. If I knew how to program or had a programmer available to me, I'd *definitly* look at Blender, because you could get the coder to custom write an import/export plugin for everything you need Torque to have.
Last, but not least, I'll also have to give a nod to ZBrush4. Ever since I bought ZBrush a couple of years ago, Pixologic continues to amaze and inspire me! That company simply ROCKS! Hands down. They are easily the MOST generous and polite of companies I have ever dealt with. Just on those facts alone would get me to invest in ZB. :)
^_^
Paul L. Ming
#3
07/28/2010 (7:56 am)
If you are fluent in creating 3D assets, and have money to through around, Max or Maya. If you are new to 3D definitely start with Blender to test the waters. Takes years to perfect creating 3D assets no need to dive right in with advanced apps. The new Blender is very nice, will help you understand 3D concepts which can be applied to Maya and Max at a later time (assuming you are new to this). They all do the same thing pretty much, just different spin offs of the tool sets. Zbrush and Mudbox are great for creating nextgen game assets also, but cannot rig characters unless taken into max, maya or blender. I would not suggest Lightwave as it has close to zero support when it comes to game engines.
#4
@Ken: I'm concerned about support for 2011 being limited? I'm using bullet and not physx in my engine, but what other unsupported features are you alluding to? It would be a shame to spend the money, and then hit some limitations with Torque.
Thank you again for all the great tips!
07/28/2010 (9:59 am)
Thanks for all of this great advice! I am indeed an amateur when it comes to 3d modeling and I have played around with milkshape. I'm about to start a new project and my thinking was: it might be cleaner to choose 3ds Max now as the standard for all my assets rather than have part Milkshape, part Max.@Ken: I'm concerned about support for 2011 being limited? I'm using bullet and not physx in my engine, but what other unsupported features are you alluding to? It would be a shame to spend the money, and then hit some limitations with Torque.
Thank you again for all the great tips!
#5
With 3DS MAX, just make absolutely *sure* you understand their whole licensing and 'subscription' stuff. The gist of it is if you *don't* pay for subscription (I think it's an extra $500), or if you stop paying your 'subscription fee' (yearly IIRC, and about $500...or is it more?), you basically have but a single year to upgrade (at a price of about $1800). If your software ends up being more than one year...no upgrade possible. Buy a whole new license. Oh, and if you do buy a new license *without* the subscription...your previous license becomes null and void. You are NOT allowed to use it. Period.
So, in short, unless you plan on keeping up your protect... er ... "subscription money" every year, you'd be wise to look elsewhere.
This is all IMHO, of course. I was a Softimage user since the old 3.4 (iirc) days back in the late 90's...all the way up until XSI 4 or 5. Anyway, I had my upgrade to 64-bit cash stockpiled away and almost ready to hand it over when Autodesk bought them out. I considered upgradeing, but looked at where it seemed they were heading and decided I didn't like the company's opperation standards. I jumped on the Lightwave (and Lightwave CORE) and am using that right now. Maybe one day a mirical will happen and XSI will be bought by someone else (as long as it isn't DAZ ;) ), and I can get back to my one true 3D love. :)
^_^
Paul L. Ming
08/01/2010 (2:47 pm)
Hiya.With 3DS MAX, just make absolutely *sure* you understand their whole licensing and 'subscription' stuff. The gist of it is if you *don't* pay for subscription (I think it's an extra $500), or if you stop paying your 'subscription fee' (yearly IIRC, and about $500...or is it more?), you basically have but a single year to upgrade (at a price of about $1800). If your software ends up being more than one year...no upgrade possible. Buy a whole new license. Oh, and if you do buy a new license *without* the subscription...your previous license becomes null and void. You are NOT allowed to use it. Period.
So, in short, unless you plan on keeping up your protect... er ... "subscription money" every year, you'd be wise to look elsewhere.
This is all IMHO, of course. I was a Softimage user since the old 3.4 (iirc) days back in the late 90's...all the way up until XSI 4 or 5. Anyway, I had my upgrade to 64-bit cash stockpiled away and almost ready to hand it over when Autodesk bought them out. I considered upgradeing, but looked at where it seemed they were heading and decided I didn't like the company's opperation standards. I jumped on the Lightwave (and Lightwave CORE) and am using that right now. Maybe one day a mirical will happen and XSI will be bought by someone else (as long as it isn't DAZ ;) ), and I can get back to my one true 3D love. :)
^_^
Paul L. Ming
#6
08/05/2010 (4:15 pm)
Just to piggy back on what Paul has said. You can get back onto Autodesk subscription if for some reason you never bought it or chose to leave it, but you will need to pay a 'grandfather' fine and then will be paying based on the original purchase date of your software. Its still worth it as an investment, but like Paul said be very aware of it so that you are not left standing there dumbfounded. 
Torque Owner Ken Johnston
Indiestructable Systems