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Free 3D modellers out there...

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:31 am
by Rook Zimbabwe
Well after my latest update Rhino 3.0 seems not to want to work any more.

Now I could fake up a new student ID and buy 4.0 for about 195.00 US$ but I have been hearing many good things about blender: http://www.blender.org/
Including that it has a 3D engine etc. Thought I wuld give that a go.

I am so used to Rhino though...

Are there any other 3D modeling tools out there that anyone else would reccomend? We have to be ready for the next version of PB! :D

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 2:16 am
by Mistrel
If you want to make anything for games you're going to have to use a polygon modeling tool. NURBS is not meant for games.

Milkshape3D is a good hobbyist tool and you can add bones and animation. It's cheap too.

If you want to do high quality stuff 3dsmax is really the way to go.

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:47 am
by dracflamloc
http://www.blender.org/

You're welcome =)

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:18 am
by Rook Zimbabwe
You missed the point about Rhino. Nurbs was used for rapid creation but then you meshed it... you could export as multiple filetypes including .x and .3ds... I don't see 1/2 of Rhino''s features (especially extrude... I liked extrude) in either Calagari or Blender... Googles program is far to unpolished...

Help!

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:02 am
by Mistrel
I don't see 1/2 of Rhino''s features (especially extrude... I liked extrude) in either Calagari or Blender... Googles program is far to unpolished...
Rhino is a pure NURBS modeling tool. You can't compare it to a general-purpose modeling and animation software like Blender, 3dsmax, or Maya.
You missed the point about Rhino. Nurbs was used for rapid creation but then you meshed it...
Anything made with NURBS had to be converted to polygons for any kind of visual representation. Rhino is not useful for games. You should learn how to use a polygon modeling package.

If you want something free and powerful try Wings3d.

http://www.wings3d.com/

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 11:40 am
by Num3
Try hexagon 2, works for me... Not free :P

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:15 pm
by Brice Manuel
Googles program is far to unpolished...
Google's program blows dead bear!

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:23 pm
by Thalius
http://www.misfitcode.com/misfitmodel3d/ !


I use Wings to Model, Blender for most Material stuff ( and Texturebaking !! its simply awesome for that ) - mm3d to animate ( am simply more used to that ).

EDIT: I just managed to get one of my old Amiga Space Models into Blender .. and OMG am starting to like that Prog ... once you get used to selecting with a Rightclick .. :P .. but Mousegestiques simply ROCK in a 3D app!

Happy Screenshot:
Image

... now to see if that Texture Paint is actually usable... ;)

Thalius

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 6:59 pm
by Rook Zimbabwe
Google's program blows dead bear!
ROTFLMAO!!!! :lol:

I used to create a line... extrude that line into a shape and the carve openeings (if I so desired...) These tools are so clunky! Rhino is it man!!!

Then I could simply convert to mesh... refine the mesh... texture map the mesh and export the texture map for tweaking... easy!

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:03 pm
by Mistrel
I know exactly what you're talking about. I used to be a Rhino nut since it came out of beta. But when you really get into games you'll find that you do need to pick up a professional package with polygon modeling tools, either 3dsmax or maya.

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 4:38 pm
by Rook Zimbabwe
I know... I use milkshape for animation... The things I could carve in Rhino were awesome!

I am gonna buy it as soon as I figure out a way to tell my wife that I need to spend $195.00 on a program...

yeah!

downside is that PB seems to be supporting ogre only. I have ultimate Unwrap and it does not like the ogre export plugin! can't use .X or .3DS models??? That will blow the dead monkey!!! :D

Re: Free 3D modellers out there...

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 4:56 pm
by NoahPhense
Dude.. get version 4 .. very nice .. They've got SR2 out for it. I use it with
www.maxwellrender.com ..

You might be able to find a bundle.. that's what I did. I bought Rhino &
Maxwell together. If you can't find anything. I'll email one of my guys at
McNeel .. to see if they will offer the bundle with student discount.

I have Blender too, its AWESOME software. Especially using YafRay with it
http://www.yafray.org/ ..

emm http://www.yafray.org/sec/8/common/show ... richie.jpg

- np

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:01 pm
by BasicGuy
Blender is a great tool, but you'll probably pull your hair out trying to learn the interface. I use it, but only the texturing and animation tools.

Wings3D is wonderfully simple to use, and has been my favorite for a long time. It doesn't do booleans or extrude along path operations, but there are workarounds. W3D has a different approach to displaying and manipulating a model so it's worth a look at the Wings3D forums to "get an idea"...

However, having said that about Wings3D, I'm now using Carrara 3D Express and it is very nice. http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/software/carrara_3dx/-/?

It's US89.95 and worth it IMO. Fairly simple interface, smooth, responsive, some good modeling tools and if you like Express, you can upgrade to the Pro version later. C3DExpress also allows you to animate, UV map and texture so if you want to create "cut scenes" using your game resources, you can do that as well.

I have Hexagon 2, but it's too buggy and p*sses me off when it crashes and I lose my work. Another reason to go with C3DExpress...

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:26 pm
by Rook Zimbabwe
I like that site...{ DAZ3D / CARRARA} I wish I could see a real screenshot of the program when open so I can see what controls there are...

Can you grab a screenie with a screenshot of dynamic extrusion? I would love to see that in action! I am hoping that works with a polyline which you can lathe or set or extrude... if it can do that I am happy!!! :D

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 12:29 am
by Mistrel
Carrara is not for games. It would be equivalent to modeling game assets in Bryce.