The VG Resource

well, if you want EASY 3D modeling, you should go and use GoogleSketchUp, if you want to export it to any universal format you'll need SKP Pro.
I use Cinema4D, it is quite easy to use for me, but 3D modeling isn't such an easy thing sir.

Anim8r is simple, but too much simple, if you want something for 3D art, do not use neither it nor SketchUp
you can use them to model and make effects in another program, but never use A8 or Skp for final renders ^^

Blender is free and can do most of the things the expensive ones do.
Some developers use it as an alternative to 3dsmax and maya.

i use it for ALL my 3d modelling, no exceptions.
and that's considering i have tried 3dsmax and have zbrush on my laptop.

Anim8ors OK if you're starting out, but it's a lot less powerful and has ZERO support afaik. the last post on their site is more than 3 years old. That and the fact that I can't find shortcuts for extrude and view-switching. It's impossible to edit your model in solid and shaded view; you have to do it in wireframe view, meaning you switch between the views a lot. There is no indication at all that an object is selected, so if you have multiple objects on screen, you'd have to guess. It has no unwrapping features, so you'd have to use another program for that.

The animation is a PAIN in the GLUTEALS. You have to check 6 boxes for every single bone you want to be able to move. I mean Christ! Why couldn't they make it so every bone is moveable by default? Plus, you can't have floating bones, everything must be connected to the main bone somehow. And no inverse kinematics, meaning you can't just move the foot and expect the whole leg to move; no, you have to move every single bone on the leg to make them move: move the thigh, move the calf, move the heel, THEN move the toes. It's like, do they hate animators?

While Blender does not have the high-tech simulators of maya/3dsmax, it does support inverse kinematics at least. And the weight painting is better.

One downside to Blender is it's got a steep learning curve. Compared to other programs, I'd say it's behind 3dsmax and anim8or (being the simplest), but ahead of zbrush (zbrush's interface is... goddammit, all my anger and ragggge..). But the fact that there are easy-to-remember shortcuts and hotkeys, and that you could work either solely with the mouse, pen tablet, or mousepad are big plus's, imo.
I have literally sat in class with my laptop and made something in Blender.

All my 3d models were made with Blender and another image editing program (GIMP, MSPaint, or Photoshop).
1. make model
2. possible sculpt
3. unwrap
4. possibly bake the details
5. edit textures in image editing program
6. rig

tl;dr: try out both Blender and Anim8or first, but know that Blender is better in my opinion.

So the interfaces for Anim8or and Blender are similar?

Is there anything like an online tutorial for either/both of them? Learning to do silly low-poly things for fun sounds like it could be a good learning experience.

did anybody notice the almost year old bump?

(02-06-2011, 04:18 PM)Baegal Wrote: [ -> ]did anybody notice the almost year old bump?

Jejeje, your right Baegal but since the topic rose from the death the best bet for 3d modeling is 3DMax it looks difficult but once you get the basics down using the provided tutorials it's extremely easy.

like everything else in life after all.

(02-07-2011, 10:29 PM)Fuchikoma Wrote: [ -> ]like everything else in life after all.

As always, Maestro Metaru is right!

(02-06-2011, 04:18 PM)Baegal Wrote: [ -> ]did anybody notice the almost year old bump?

Yes, but I felt that the topic could be expanded on; especially was we have more modellers here now.

I'm currently taking a computer animation class based around 3ds Max, I could share my vaguely aquired knowledge on it. I could also probably post the things I'm going to be making for my final assignment, it's called Project Mau5.

Since we're talking about programs I guess I'll just put this right here

I stumbled on this a few minutes ago http://projectmessiah.com/x6/shop.html
Basically, Mesiah, a profesional 3d rendering and animation program, usually going for 500 dollars for the basic edition, is going for 10 dollars as part of an experiment.
That is 2% the regular price, if you've ever been interested in 3ding, now could not be a better time.

From what I understand, you will not actually receive the product code to activate it until the experiment is over, and if they don't reach their goal, you will be refunded the money.

I don't do 3d, or animate, but if I ever want to, I might as well, it's only 10 bucks

I tried doing 3D stuff once. Never worked out for me.

(02-06-2011, 12:02 PM)GrooveMan.exe Wrote: [ -> ]So the interfaces for Anim8or and Blender are similar?

Is there anything like an online tutorial for either/both of them? Learning to do silly low-poly things for fun sounds like it could be a good learning experience.

the interfaces are significantly different. But once you get used to either, I guess you can juggle both fairly easily.

There are tutorials available for both, but as I said, Anim8or's are years old.
I've been planning to write a simple tutorial for submission to TSR (been daydreaming about it, haha. Just don't have enough time for everything I want to do.)

If you want, just message me/ post here what you'd want included.
It will be for Blender. Probably just a simple "How to model, rig, animate a low-poly X character in Blender"

That would actually be incredibly useful! I hope you do go through with that.

It'd be cool if this were a thread for posting 3d models on the work, to get advise and what not, and off course tips on using the program. What do you think? I really hope Murderbeard goes throught with that tutorial, if it's easier that 3ds Max, I'm converting.

There's an entire board for posting 3D models, Mabelma. :V

http://www.spriters-resource.com/communi...php?fid=54