Model creator » Forum Post by Szadowsz

Quoting ,

Does anyone have a suggestion for an easy to use 3d model creator?

A pretty good program from Google is SketchUp...and it's free too. They have some great video tutorials on how to use it.

I've also used Wings 3D, as others have mentioned, it is free and relatively simple to use.

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Quoting Excalpius,

reply 24

The issue with Blender is that it just isn't at the level of the professional tools we use in the industry.

Have fun playing with it, sure. But if you are a student on his way to approaching the professional market, there is only Maya (film, games) and LightWave (film, tv, games) left still standing in a meaningful way. A few of the major companies (Pixar, ILM) use a lot of internal software, but generally that is written around the Maya or LightWave APIs.

Everything else (3dstudio Max, Cinema 4d, SoftImage) has passed by the wayside and you can count the numbers of companies still using these packages on one hand - and none of them are major players.

But if you are just having FUN, to see if this is something you'd like to do, there are LOTS of free programs and GREAT student discounts on the pro packages.

LightWave, for example, runs in DEMO mode if you don't own a license. And that's more than enough to accomplish a great deal.

Good luck in your quest!

This is utter nonsense. use the program you feel would help you get familiar with 3d space easier. Once you're used to working in 3d space, any package is easy to learn within a week. Max is still the most widely used package out. i don't know where he's getting his stats about maya. XSI is becoming mor eand more popular amongst artists in the industry. Companies that use max include, Rockstar games, Blizzard, Bioware. and many other small startups, Companies that use Maya solely... In gaming that hasn't been heavily modified with custom scripts to help the artists. I can't think of any Maybe Ubisoft, but they don't use maya only. Of course you'll get your small studios, but players like EA have heavily modified Maya. So as an artist working for EA you'll be alearning something new anyways. Softimage. Players that use this include Ubisoft, Ironclad, Krysoft, Valve.

Then we go into Movie houses. I know a lot of people in the film industry, the use everything from maya, to lightwave to Softimage, Mudbox and zbrush. There is no one package that dominates them all. I know for one that ILM uses Softimage a lot in their modeling departments.

Anyway, I get annoyed when I hear people talking about how maya is teh answer to all 3d needs. The truth is, it's not. A 3d Package is only as good as an artist, and as the way things are going. There are plenty studios out there that'll give you a choice. If you want to get a professional level software package that is easy to learn and get used to, I'd pick suggest you get the xsi mod tool. it's free and softimage has tutorials on their website.

When it comes to modeling, it's all just points in space with polygons connecting them. How you draw them is your call, not the software package.

Maya isn't better than Max or Softimage
Softimage issn't better than max or Maya

Max isnt better than Maya or Softimage.

If you get a job in this field and you only know one package, you'll have to learn another one some day. So just get familiar. DOn't listen to people that just suggest one, they're talking nonsence

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Once you're used to working in 3d space, any package is easy to learn within a week.

Now THAT is utter nonsense.

While I agree with you that learning the BASICS of 3D space can be accomplished using any 3d package, in about a week, there are an infinite number of approaches to the given problems of A+ animation and visual effects, and the high end ones require YEARS of on hands professional knowledge in each given package. And that's AFTER you've spent years learning it (either on your own or in a degreed program) well enough to generate a reel proficient enough to get an entry level job. And then, it will take you another 10+ years of professional on-the-job experienced before you will be good enough to interview for someone like me.

So, you can be "annoyed" all you want, but my credentials include every gold statue the world awards for visual effects. Therefore, my background comes from the perspective of the major players, not one guy in their garage. Adjust the weight you give my advice accordingly.

For example, the multimillion dollar pipeline I built just last year used Maya for the major character animation and LightWave for rendering, fx, environments, and secondary animated characters. We used Modo, Zbrush, LightWave, Maya, and even SoftImage to model the creatures, characters, environments, and props--and this was generally by the choice of the artist as these were many of the top digital artists in the world, so they've earned a great deal of latitude, IMHO.

Regarding ILM. They use a very customized version of SoftImage for some tasks. And it is by no means the same as you will find "off the shelf". Not even close. Disney uses Maya with a host of custom API code as well as internal tools. Digital Domain uses a Maya/LightWave pipeline and is adding another package into their mix right now. Etc. etc.

So, hobbyist wise, yes, use whatever you enjoy, from Poser to Blender, but if you intend to do this professionally, I recommend you put your efforts into learning the tools and techniques of the trade as it is practiced today.

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thanks for your input at the mo im just preparing for exams, but im messing around with java using processing's core library and I just wanted to know the easiest one to make a smallish wire-frame starship

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I just wanted to know the easiest one to make a smallish wire-frame starship

hehe, then just grab whatever program that is free and easy for you to "get" at first blush.

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Quoting Excalpius,

reply 3

Once you're used to working in 3d space, any package is easy to learn within a week.
Now THAT is utter nonsense.

While I agree with you that learning the BASICS of 3D space can be accomplished using any 3d package, in about a week, there are an infinite number of approaches to the given problems of A+ animation and visual effects, and the high end ones require YEARS of on hands professional knowledge in each given package. And that's AFTER you've spent years learning it (either on your own or in a degreed program) well enough to generate a reel proficient enough to get an entry level job. And then, it will take you another 10+ years of professional on-the-job experienced before you will be good enough to interview for someone like me.

So, you can be "annoyed" all you want, but my credentials include every gold statue the world awards for visual effects. Therefore, my background comes from the perspective of the major players, not one guy in their garage. Adjust the weight you give my advice accordingly.

For example, the multimillion dollar pipeline I built just last year used Maya for the major character animation and LightWave for rendering, fx, environments, and secondary animated characters. We used Modo, Zbrush, LightWave, Maya, and even SoftImage to model the creatures, characters, environments, and props--and this was generally by the choice of the artist as these were many of the top digital artists in the world, so they've earned a great deal of latitude, IMHO.

Regarding ILM. They use a very customized version of SoftImage for some tasks. And it is by no means the same as you will find "off the shelf". Not even close. Disney uses Maya with a host of custom API code as well as internal tools. Digital Domain uses a Maya/LightWave pipeline and is adding another package into their mix right now. Etc. etc.

So, hobbyist wise, yes, use whatever you enjoy, from Poser to Blender, but if you intend to do this professionally, I recommend you put your efforts into learning the tools and techniques of the trade as it is practiced today.

You don't know me or what I do. I do this for a living as well.

In regards to what he was asking

he was asking for modeling packages. thus, I gave him an answer that was legit. He didn't ask which program was best for doing vfx. I know many guys in the industry and they are humble to the core. you my friend arn't. We didn't ask you to come on here and try act all big stuff to people who don't know what they're doing. Asking for a lil help. I don't care what credits you have. I know people with credits that are totally useless at what they do. Just got lucky and landed jobs. Show us your reel and we can decide from that

In a week with lots of experience in another package you can learn a lot. I didn't say a week into doing 3d you'll be a pro, that's not true at all. Im a modeler by trade too.

I was just comenting on the fact that you said all packages are on the downturn, which was totally untrue.

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Uvah

Join Date 05/2006

+874

I'm also learning how to work in 3D space. I have Blender and to me it isn't as difficult as most people believe regardless. Those other programs are fine as far as they go but and herein lies the rub...if you can afford to spend the heavy bucks for 'em fine. I'm not at all ashamed to admit that I can't afford a thousand dollars or more for a 'professional' program. In my opinion having to pay that much is ludicrous. I understand a lot of work goes into the coding and such but there are free programs out there that CAN do just as good as any professional. You may not agree and that's fine. To each his or her own. I'll use the ones I like, ones I feel comfortable using. I don't need to spend tons of money. Programs I have are 'freebies' and there's nothing wrong with that.

Don't get me wrong. I have a lot of respect for the pros who do this kind of work. The animations I've seen are truly awesome. Pixar is a good example. If you've the talent then by all means flaunt it. Here on WC there are some very talented artists. Take the time to view some of the works in the galleries. But keep this in mind...it is what you feel is right for you. Pick and choose. If you want to use the freebies or spend the money. Whatever you want is what's important. All the advice in the world is right here as you can see by the other posts. Take advantage of it. You can't go wrong dude.

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I was just comenting on the fact that you said all packages are on the downturn, which was totally untrue.

From the perspective of the high end film industry, I am 100% correct. That's all I ever said.

And all I did was state my credits so that any readers could understand from where my recommendations were coming from. It's the only way they'd know if my advice was useful or not.

But I'm not breaking my anonymity here for some infantile pissing contest. If you'd like to see my reel, just take a good look at your favorite movies and TV shows on your DVD shelf. Odds are, I delivered more than one of them.

Cheers.

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I'm not at all ashamed to admit that I can't afford a thousand dollars or more for a 'professional' program. In my opinion having to pay that much is ludicrous.

Nor should you!

Those packages are all priced for BUSINESSES not individuals. This is why they have cheap student discount versions of all of them. NEVER pay full price for any of these professional tools until you are a freelancer working for real money, or until you are working professionally at a company that does this work.

Adobe, Autodesk, etc. all price their software so that they make the same amount of money supporting a thousand high paying business customers as they would with ten thousand low priced amateurs. Tech support is their main cost, so they minimize that any way they can.

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Quoting Excalpius,

reply 8

I was just comenting on the fact that you said all packages are on the downturn, which was totally untrue.
From the perspective of the high end film industry, I am 100% correct. That's all I ever said.

And all I did was state my credits so that any readers could understand from where my recommendations were coming from. It's the only way they'd know if my advice was useful or not.

But I'm not breaking my anonymity here for some infantile pissing contest. If you'd like to see my reel, just take a good look at your favorite movies and TV shows on your DVD shelf. Odds are, I delivered more than one of them.

Cheers.

Fair enough. Sorry for that, think we were both in the wrong. Misunderstandings and all. Ya, I know high end film is heading toward maya. I don't know of any film studios that don't actualy use maya or a maya hybrid. Other than your smaller ones still stuck in lightwave. Only reason I flipped about the credits is cause I'm tired of people thinking they're God's gifts to 3d throwing their credits around then when it comes to showing their work they really arn't very good. Know a few people like this and I'm sure you do too. I do appologize if I offended you too

Just the question was about modeling and this is a games forum So I answered based on that. In gaming. get familiar with 3d space, building objects with polygons and a general workflow. They can be adopted to others pretty easily (modeling wise). As far as jobs go. Most jobs nowdays are for very specialised positions. The 3d Generilst is unfortunatly a dying breed.

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Try any demo you can get.At the end of the day you will find a program that has a tool set that you are comfortable with.

Its like anything you wont know till you try and practice practice practice.

I like Rhino it has a tool set i can get around without much problem and i like the program.

It does come down to personal choice in program.

The pro has the option to use a variety of programs as they have a high level of training and its usually a requirement of there job to be able to use a variety of 3D software.

Make your own choice

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Fair enough.

Other than your smaller ones still stuck in lightwave.

Note that Digital Domain still uses LightWave with Maya for their major pipeline and they remain one of the majors.

Also, every television series with FX uses only LightWave and most smaller films are also done entirely in LightWave now.

But we both agree that Maya is the leading package amongst the major players.

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PoSmedley

Join Date 04/2005

+788

Maya is complex but once you learn the basics, it's all experimenting from there....I hated it in the beginning (Today was my last day as a Freshman..SUMER 09!!!) because I was so used to Pro-E (CAD Application) but now I'm great at it!

So...post some of your work for download already.

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So...post some of your work for download already.

Ha, no. I'm going to be working in the creative design (models/story/etc.) of video (pc) games so don't really want to post anything yet since it's not copyrighted ...no offense...

I did however make an awesome 25 second animation of a spaceship. It shows two (heavy) turrets firing twice as they turn and then it proceeds as a flyby of the ship....750 frames Good times...took a while to render all the frames lol (on a laptop)

-Phal

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CobraA1

Join Date 09/2006

+26

....only $6000...

heh - IMHO it's pretty insane to pay more for a piece of sofware than for the computer you're running it on . . .

The issue with Blender is that it just isn't at the level of the professional tools we use in the industry.

More professional than any other piece of freeware I know of. If you don't want to blow away more money than you did on your last two computers, then Blender is as professional as you can get for free.

Blender's good enough that they've made a couple of movies with it.

. . . but that being said - he did want ease of use - and for that I'd go with Wings3D as others have suggested for modelling.

If you go the Wings3D route, though, keep in mind it's primarily for modelling - it can do rendering and texturing, but they are better done using other software.

I also use AOI (Art of Illusion), an open source software that is easier to use than Blender but does a good job at rendering and texturing.

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That's one thing I absolutely love about Blender. It has it's own texturing and render engine; it even has animation (although I haven't gotten that to work yet). You can make a passable texture without any real experience, although I'm sure there's more you can do than I've accomplished. It also supports UV texturing. I did a school project with it and it turned out fairly well. Of course, this is nowhere near the pro level.

Sorry for showing off so much of my stuff in this thread, just wanted to give examples.

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PoSmedley

Join Date 04/2005

+788

Sorry for showing off so much of my stuff in this thread, just wanted to give examples.

Looks good. I ahve yet to be able to figure out any of the 3D programs I have tried. I just can't seem to wrap my head around them. You seem to be getting a knack for it. Keep it up!

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Looks good. I ahve yet to be able to figure out any of the 3D programs I have tried. I just can't seem to wrap my head around them. You seem to be getting a knack for it. Keep it up!

I still say Maya...the $200 student edition haha

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PoSmedley

Join Date 04/2005

+788

I still say Maya...the $200 student edition haha

OKAY, I'll bite. WTF is up with all the 'ha-ha's'? Maybe it's because I have to try to interpret your tone, but it's coming off as sarcastic and immature. If I am wrong, I apologize. If I'm right, please take it somewhere else.

I'm leaning towards you're just being sarcastic since you're coming up on your one year mark here and your karma is so low. .

The poster is looking for some advice. Post some shots of what you have done with it. SHow him why it might be worth the investment. However, I think it's been made clear that there are very few here that can afford the 6k asking price, and less than that have access to the 'student version'. SO maybe you could stop pushing what is inaccessable to the poster and talk about an alternative that would be more reasonable.

One more piece of advice,,,cut out all the 'ha-ha's'. It makes you sound like every pain- in- the-ass- little- sister- stereotype I've ever run across.

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I'm leaning towards you're just being sarcastic since you're coming up on your one year mark here and your karma is so low. .

LOL!!! That is worth a "haha"...you think I care about Karma on a video game's forum? "Haha"
And you probably shouldn't talk about Karma since it says you have 0 Karma from 0 Users...and your user number is about a million less than mine...

The poster is looking for some advice. Post some shots of what you have done with it. SHow him why it might be worth the investment. However, I think it's been made clear that there are very few here that can afford the 6k asking price, and less than that have access to the 'student version'. SO maybe you could stop pushing what is inaccessable to the poster and talk about an alternative that would be more reasonable.

I got my student edition bundle pack (has ~4 programs) from Studica.com...and I didn't expect anyone to want a $6k program...I know I wouldn't...waste of life.

Also I know Blender is good (but hard) as many people have said, free too. I haven't tried it out yet...

Post some shots of what you have done with it. SHow him why it might be worth the investment.

And fine, I'll post one...this isn't my best but it just shows that Maya is flexible and has great textures (Hypershade window) and effects:

(Image Deleted)[Sorry]

Enjoy!

-Phalnax

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PoSmedley

Join Date 04/2005

+788

And you probably shouldn't talk about Karma since it says you have 0 Karma from 0 Users...and your user number is about a million less than mine...

Maybe it shows zero where you are...but on the WC forum where this thread has crossed over to, it does not.

And fine, I'll post one...this isn't my best but it just shows that Maya is flexible and has great textures (Hypershade window) and effects:

It's better than anything I could produce in 3D. Very nice.You have talent. I would love to see what you could do with a wallpaper. I don't know if you're interested in that but I would be curious to see.

Did not mean to offend, just offer some advice. Maybe one day, when you're an old fart like me, you'll run across some up and coming skinner/artist that you'll find yourself doing the same for.

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Maybe it shows zero where you are...but on the WC forum where this thread has crossed over to, it does not.

Yeah I was assuming it wasn't showing or something...and what is the WC forum? In this Demigod forum I show 8 Karma but in Sins I show 14. I'm assuming that the difference of 6 are from off topic posts.

It's better than anything I could produce in 3D. Very nice.You have talent. I would love to see what you could do with a wallpaper. I don't know if you're interested in that but I would be curious to see.

Wallpaper as for a desktop background? I could throw it in Photoshop and spiff it up a bit...but I'm not taking Photoshop class (Digital Art I) until after the summer when school starts up again so probably wouldn't be that great

Did not mean to offend, just offer some advice. Maybe one day, when you're an old fart like me, you'll run across some up and coming skinner/artist that you'll find yourself doing the same for.

Notta prob

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went with wings 3d in the end, now i just have to make the input handler work properly yay

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