Forums | MacLife

a monkey · 2006-09-09 12:52 pm

First of all, let's pretend that the prices don't have anything to do with this here. Even though they do.

OK, that said, what all do you guys recommend for a 3d modelling app? I'm mostly going to be working with static objects - I doubt that I'll ever really attempt very much animation. I want nice texturing and rendering. Any recommendations appreciated.

Cheers,
a monkey

Aqua OS X · 2006-09-09 3:04 pm

What are you modeling specifically? Environments, products? Thinks that look pretty on the outside, or things that have mass materials and components?

If you're modeling products I would add Solidworks to your list of applications to look at.

Last edited by Aqua OS X (2006-09-09 3:06 pm)

a monkey · 2006-09-09 8:39 pm

Nahh.. just junk that looks pretty on the outside, like you said.

Aqua OS X · 2006-09-09 9:40 pm

Well, since Max won't run on Mac OS, you can eliminate that one.

Yet, really, what use to start using to model is fairly irrelevant. You need to learn the fundamentals of modeling first, and that stuff generally remains true across applications.

Personally, I'd start off with Maya PLE (free, but watermarks your work) or Wings 3d (free, but fairly basic).

Once you understand 3D you'll be better suited to evaluate professional 3D software.

avkills · 2006-09-10 5:16 pm

I'd try Blender first. It is free. And you can't rule out Lightwave. Although people say Modo is one of the best Modelers they have used. shrug A lot of it comes down to personal preference.

-mark

user · 2006-09-11 7:56 am

Lightwave is pretty affordble and certainly good for static work, but I'm turned off that they just grafted an Amiga interface into a large Mac window.

CurtisS · 2006-09-11 8:52 am

I will chime in a vote for Blender. Fast to model in (once you learn the interface) and IF you want to try your hand at animation, that is there too.

Digital Droo · 2006-09-16 1:26 am

user wrote:
Lightwave is pretty affordble and certainly good for static work, but I'm turned off that they just grafted an Amiga interface into a large Mac window.

I'm a fan and user of LightWave myself. I'd have to say that LW is pretty good for animated work in addition to static work. I'm also a fan of Firefly/Serenity and Battlestar Galactica and they both used LightWave extensively. The company that did the FX for both is Zoic Studios and they're very LightWave.

BSG Press Release
Serenity Story

Just being a fanboy here.

avkills · 2006-09-16 9:14 am

Lightwave actually looks the same no matter what platform you use it on. So do you have v9 Droo? Nodal surfacing is quite a change, for the better also.

-mark

Digital Droo · 2006-09-16 2:04 pm

avkills wrote:
Lightwave actually looks the same no matter what platform you use it on. So do you have v9 Droo? Nodal surfacing is quite a change, for the better also.

Hehe. I'm actually still using 7.5c. I'm in a partnership business so money for upgrades comes out of our pockets. As far as software goes, that money goes into Apple and Adobe apps, which are the core of our business.

Recently, however, I've actually been doing more 3D stuff, so an upgrade may be warranted. Truth is, I haven't had to upgrade until now. I'm a fan of a natural environment 3D app called Vue. I have a project coming up that requires integration between Vue and LightWave and the tool for making that process almost seamless is Vue xStream, and the requirement for that is LW v.9. Here are a couple things I did using Vue, LightWave 7.5, After Effects and Combustion:

Verticon
Natural Render Test (WMV-sorry)

Just for kicks, something done in LightWave 7.5 and After Effects:

Fish

Zalgren · 2006-09-16 6:32 pm

For personal use I'll add my vote for Blender -
Once you get use to the interface it is a fairly powerful piece of software.

zoees · 2006-09-18 12:14 pm

I started with Infini-D- low end but a great place to learn the basics.

No one mentioned Maxon Cinema-4D, why? It's a nice package at a reasonable price and all the annimation stuff doesn't interfere with your modeling.

Dark_Knight · 2007-06-04 6:35 pm

If the projects are only 3D modeling then I'd first suggest ZBrush. If you're also planning on character rigging then I'd opt instead for Maya. If you're on a really tight budget then my first recommendation would be Blender. Blender offers similar features found in Maya Unlimited though I found it's GUI a little more difficult to grasp. Most likely due to my training has been focused on Maya.

Forums | MacLife

#1 2006-09-09 12:52 pm

Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

#2 2006-09-09 3:04 pm

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

#3 2006-09-09 8:39 pm

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

#4 2006-09-09 9:40 pm

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

#5 2006-09-10 5:16 pm

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

#6 2006-09-11 7:56 am

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

#7 2006-09-11 8:52 am

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

#8 2006-09-16 1:26 am

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

user wrote:

#9 2006-09-16 9:14 am

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

#10 2006-09-16 2:04 pm

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

avkills wrote:

#11 2006-09-16 6:32 pm

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

#12 2006-09-18 12:14 pm

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

#13 2007-06-04 6:35 pm

Re: Maya? 3ds Max? Modo? Blender?

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