3D Software?

[Praxius]

Maya: Great modeling. Interface decent. Texturing insanely difficult, especially when dealing with alpha and multi textures.

I wouldn't call it insanely difficult, then again I went to college to figure it out. It just gives you way more options for texturing then say 3D Studio Max and I think because of all the options they provide for you, it can be a bit complicated looking.

You can find a number of decent tutorials for Maya Mapping here: (Along with a pile of plugins and textures, models etc. for just about any 3D program out there)

http://www.creativecrash.com/

The thing about Maya's texturing is that you gotta focus on bits and chunks at a time.

3ds Max: Same as Maya.

I personally found 3D Studio Max more limited and complicated in modeling compared to Maya, and while it's texture tools are pretty decent and easy to use, I find them more limiting then Maya's. But it's been a few years since I played around 3D Studio Max.

I'd suggest Maya above all others, but the program is pretty pricy, about the same price as a small motorcycle depending on what version you get.

Many movies used Maya, in Paticular, Final Fantasy, which was done on an early version of Maya...... it's abilities are far greater now.

I'll admit, I started on 3D Studio Max and was hooked on it.... I had a hard time wanting to get into Maya, because at the time I never heard of it and looked complicated.... yet since I got into it, I never touched 3D Studio Max ever again.

 

[Xavier_Storma]

I started with 3D Max, and really could not manage it.
I tried C4D and it was love at first sight. It is easy to use, and has a superb user friendly interface. You will be able to make animations in no time.

 

[n3mes1s]

I just started to modelling and sketchup just surprised me, easy to use and good functionallity. Maybe it lacks on some aspects like texturing, but its a great program to start modelling. I also have lightwave for use in a future.. 3d studio max is stupidly complicated for a non profesional modeller..

 

[RichMerk]

Sculptris

http://www.sculptris.com/

It's a free program like ZBrush. Super easy and way cool. Recently, ZBrush bought it, but they say they will continue to improve and support it.

 

[Saquist]

I'm sorry, I know this question has been asked here a million times, but I've never needed to know the answer so I didn't really pay attention. What 3D modeling software does everyone use? I want to *try* to design a couple of ships for a fanfic I'm involved in but I don't have the slightest idea what program to use. I'm probably in way over my head because I have absolutely NO artistic ability whatsoever, but I thought I'd give it a shot. Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions for me, particularly anything that's not too difficult for a complete newbie to figure out, I'd be forever grateful.

Might I suggest to everyone who is a new to 3D Modeling

Try Google Sketchup
http://sketchup.google.com/download/

Sketchup is the easist program I've come across so far.
- It'sFREE
- It's Fun
- All the tutorials are on-line and really easy to understand letting you take your time.
- There are already numerous models in the 3D Warehousehttp://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/

-Many of the Plugins are Free like the Soapbubbles Plugin that allows for organic shapes.
http://www.tensile-structures.de/Download/SoapSkinBubbleTool_Rel_1.0.11.zip

I learned Sketchup in about 10 days and here some of my work.

Oversize Image Converted to Link (please keep to 800 px wide max)















All these models were created in Sketchup.
The Fighter was my very first project followed by the Mega Carrier and I'm currently working on the Spacedock.
It's fun!

And after you think you can handle bigger programs like
3D Studio Max
Lightwave
Modo or Maya you can decide to buy them if you're serious about it.
----------------------------------------
PM me if you need help it.

 

[Tallguy]

Very nice, but DUDE, images are too big for the thread. Please replace with thumbnails.

Again, great Sketchup work.

 

[Saquist]

Sorry...I don't seem to have that ability to edit them.

 

[ares93]

Aight, so i've been looking into modeling the last few days. which one is the easiest to learn? don't worry about the price, i can probably get them through my school.

 

[Tallguy]

Sketchup. By far. They did what I thought was impossible: They made 3D modeling intuitive.

 

[Saquist]

Exactly....

Currently I know sketchup and Auto CAD and I'm learning lightwave and Solidworks....
sketchup is the obvious success.

 

[joeysmith]

have u used maya ??

 

[Saquist]

I have it but haven't used it.

I specialize in CAD products.
Auto CAD
Solid Works
Sketchup

I'm working on learning 3D Studio Max

 

[Today]

3D was so last century, I model exclusively in 10D. Of course texturing/shaing requires a rudimentary understanding of graduate level string theory

On a serious note, I'm very fond of LightWave.. shortcomings and all. It's what I learned on, plus it has very accessibly priced student versions

 

[Warped9]

Question:

In other programs I've seen some import 2D drawings to use as a basis from which to build their 3D models. Can the same be done in Google Sketchup? I've begun learning Sketchup and it's something I'd like to know.

 

[BlobVanDam]

Sure you can. I've never used Sketchup, but I've seen other people set it up fine. I just did a Google search for set up blueprints google sketchup and there seemed to be some good tutorials.

 

[Starship]

Yes, sketchup is a good option. It´s a bit complex if you try to build organics or not so hard surfaces, but you can do it. Sketchup has a dedicated community, which produces LOTS of plugins for free. Oh, and after done, you can share the model and open it in other pc without to need the plugin.
I´m a max user but, just for curiosity, I played with sketchup. I built a mesh (a starship) in just one week, without any manual, just based upon try and error to see how intuitive the application is. And it´s a fact.

 

[mByers]

i get you, the thought of designing something certainly accrued to me but it also always seemed hard
maybe i should get over myself and do it

 

[Solarbaby]

I am interested in Electricrain's Swift 3D program to import sketchup model (which have been oncverted into 3ds) to animated it as a vector.

Doe anyone have any experience using swift 3d?

 

[Ranger]

I started off with Blender, it was free, and still use it as I can model faster and easier with it than I can with Lightwave.
But that's just me...

 

[Solarbaby]

Here's the result I got from using SWift3D to create a vector based flash file. Its a 15 MB files for 5 seconds. FLash had a nervous breakdown when I imported it.

http://goanimator.deviantart.com/art/Swiftwind-3d-pass-290215010