Getting Started, 3D Art tool Question/Thought ?
by Bulent COSKUN · in Torque 3D Professional · 06/02/2011 (10:22 pm) · 7 replies
Hi Guys,
With latest release we will have new game demos and art assets. I was wondering that in the getting started document page it specify 3D art tools and 3DMax price range shows as 100$-3500$. Considering a new art files will be available in max format how indie developer's can have 3DMax with acceptable price?
In the begging of the learning Game Developer I don't think someone can effort/risk 3500$ just for 3D asset tool. There are alternatives of course like Blender3D but if game engine 99$ and in order to open and learn from provided art files can cost 3500$, it doesn't sound logical to me.
Ref:
http://www.garagegames.com/products/torque-3d/getting-started/developer-tools
With latest release we will have new game demos and art assets. I was wondering that in the getting started document page it specify 3D art tools and 3DMax price range shows as 100$-3500$. Considering a new art files will be available in max format how indie developer's can have 3DMax with acceptable price?
In the begging of the learning Game Developer I don't think someone can effort/risk 3500$ just for 3D asset tool. There are alternatives of course like Blender3D but if game engine 99$ and in order to open and learn from provided art files can cost 3500$, it doesn't sound logical to me.
Ref:
http://www.garagegames.com/products/torque-3d/getting-started/developer-tools
#2
Thanks for comment.
06/03/2011 (10:11 am)
I wish I were a student :) but I am not. For converting assets to another 3D package it is good idea to use 30 days trial. I wish, I can have more option in the long term as Indie developer. If I do succeed on my project so I can effort to pay 3500$ but problem is I need to do invest that money up front without knowing that my project will be succeed or not. Thanks for comment.
#3
Also, have you considered taking a class at your local community college to become eligible for the student license?
06/03/2011 (10:25 am)
@Bulent COSKUN: I understand where you are coming from and I believe every indie developer can relate to this. The 30 day trial version is the full version so it should be sufficient for converting file formats. An additional plugin may be needed depending on what modeling program you decide to go with.Also, have you considered taking a class at your local community college to become eligible for the student license?
#4
For creating the content/merging content...
fragMOTION: Get to know this program, it's very lowcost and pound for pound one of the best 'Indy' HEAVY LIFTERS available. It has excellent animation tools, mesh tools, weighting tools, UV tools...all you really need for 'Indy' 3D graphics development. It has strong handshake to Milkshape3D...and if you're a 'programmer type' and know LUA, you could extend the program to include your own DTS/DSQ exporter, or extra GUI controls/functions; whoo hoo. I have scripts that work in the program that do all sorts of things to objects inside the UI.
After generating the source content, export to....
Milkshape3D: Where there is the DTSPlus! exporter, written by Chris Robertson. This author is also the writer of the Collada Loader, so he knows quite a bit about the DTS/DSQ formats...;).
Surely, if you want to go 'Pro'...get a 'high end' application like 3DS Max or something else...but, for getting some basics in 3D graphics....you can start on a lower rung on the ladder.
My few cents worth on starting 3D graphics for the Torque brand engines using the DTS/DSQ formats...or find a good stable Collada supported application.
Good luck, have fun!
The 'learning curve' on the 2 programs listed is pretty small...whereas, learning Max and it's library of 'modifiers' and building with the Modifier Stack can get needlessly complicated. Few more pennies on a 3500$ program that most of it's 'functions' are squandered....as not parse-able to the target formats.
In the end, it's what you[as the artist] are comfy with using and can afford. I can generate a 'KORK' or 'Gideon' DTS from Milkshape3D that loads the Max generated DSQ files...so, let that be an indication of what is possible from the 'lower rungs' of the ladder. I would even go as far as daring anyone to tell the difference in the outputs inside the Torque engine evaluting the DTS shape, so there, ;P.
06/04/2011 (5:55 am)
If budget is truly a concern, I would really suggest this 2 program low cost pipeline.For creating the content/merging content...
fragMOTION: Get to know this program, it's very lowcost and pound for pound one of the best 'Indy' HEAVY LIFTERS available. It has excellent animation tools, mesh tools, weighting tools, UV tools...all you really need for 'Indy' 3D graphics development. It has strong handshake to Milkshape3D...and if you're a 'programmer type' and know LUA, you could extend the program to include your own DTS/DSQ exporter, or extra GUI controls/functions; whoo hoo. I have scripts that work in the program that do all sorts of things to objects inside the UI.
After generating the source content, export to....
Milkshape3D: Where there is the DTSPlus! exporter, written by Chris Robertson. This author is also the writer of the Collada Loader, so he knows quite a bit about the DTS/DSQ formats...;).
Surely, if you want to go 'Pro'...get a 'high end' application like 3DS Max or something else...but, for getting some basics in 3D graphics....you can start on a lower rung on the ladder.
My few cents worth on starting 3D graphics for the Torque brand engines using the DTS/DSQ formats...or find a good stable Collada supported application.
Good luck, have fun!
The 'learning curve' on the 2 programs listed is pretty small...whereas, learning Max and it's library of 'modifiers' and building with the Modifier Stack can get needlessly complicated. Few more pennies on a 3500$ program that most of it's 'functions' are squandered....as not parse-able to the target formats.
In the end, it's what you[as the artist] are comfy with using and can afford. I can generate a 'KORK' or 'Gideon' DTS from Milkshape3D that loads the Max generated DSQ files...so, let that be an indication of what is possible from the 'lower rungs' of the ladder. I would even go as far as daring anyone to tell the difference in the outputs inside the Torque engine evaluting the DTS shape, so there, ;P.
#5
I havent tried this yet as I stopped using Blender awhile back.
But I am seriously thinking of going back to Blender with it's
latest developments..
This site is where one guy figured out where his issues were occuring
and these might be where we have similar problems. I'm gonna have
to dig back into using blender :)
blog.burlock.org/gaming/193-exporting-blender-to-shiva-via-collada-dae
06/04/2011 (7:27 am)
I've found out that Blender may properly export to DAE in version 2.5+I havent tried this yet as I stopped using Blender awhile back.
But I am seriously thinking of going back to Blender with it's
latest developments..
This site is where one guy figured out where his issues were occuring
and these might be where we have similar problems. I'm gonna have
to dig back into using blender :)
blog.burlock.org/gaming/193-exporting-blender-to-shiva-via-collada-dae
#6
06/04/2011 (7:48 am)
I picked up MAX when I was taking classes at the community college - I believe you only have to be a half-time student to qualify, so pick two classes and run with it. My classes just happened to be 3D animation courses with MAX and I took several. It turned out to have been worth it in the long run. MAX cost me $300 student pricing at the time, and Visual Studio 6 Professional was another $100 - awesomesauce! 
#7
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?id=13571257&siteID=123112
It's free for noncommercial use. If the project fails, no cost. If you complete the game and want to go commercial, you could pony up when you're ready.
06/13/2011 (1:43 pm)
What about softimage modtool?http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?id=13571257&siteID=123112
It's free for noncommercial use. If the project fails, no cost. If you complete the game and want to go commercial, you could pony up when you're ready.
Torque 3D Owner Christopher Tauscher
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