Preserved Topic: Best 3D software? (Page 1 of 1)

since I never got an answer to this question over on wastedyouth.org .. I'm going to ask here

what the best 3D software out there .. that is 1. easy to use .. 2. most customizable .. 3. user friendly


.::. cEll .::. 513

I'm pretty sure we have an entry for this in the FAQ with some links to very good conversations about it.

[edit: http://faq.ozoneasylum.com/57 ]

[This message has been edited by Slime (edited 09-04-2002).]

well since povray looses in 3. i'd say

Maya

out pf the box.

Maya: easy to use and user friendly? NO!

It all depends on what you wanna do. Model, render, terragen, etc...

I'm rather fond of Rhino3D. Excellent modelling package. Hard, if not impossible to do organics in it though. It has no brilliant render engine either, but it's still my favorite 3D software.

After a very short glance, it looks like that faq needs a couple updates - nothing major, but needed to avoid misleading anyone who's reading it, and actually considering buying software.

- Maya's site is http://www.aliaswavefront.com/ Highend 3d isn't a company site, just a general 3d site for maya and softimage - somtimes other programs too.
- Lightwave costs less than Rhino packed with Flamingo - its rendering system - or about the same without it. One shouldn't be considered high priced, if the other isn't. (They're both medium priced, really).
- Hash is a company name, the 3d program it makes is animation master.

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RammStein - you're not getting an answer, because there isn't one. The most complete, and able 3d graphic tool you can get is probably Houdini. But its very expensive, and generally considered very difficult to learn.
But to figure out which is easiest to learn.. it really comes down to a matter of taste. Likely candidates are 3d studio max, or Rhino, but all medium-high priced 3d software will have some sort of demo available from resellers, so you can try out any you're interested in, before you buy.
I haven't used every program, so I'm not sure which one is most customizable, but virtually all 3d programs allow you to change menu layouts (either through options, or scripting), and locations, as well as hotkeys.

Out of the box, I suggest Softimage if you have the cash.
If you don't mind buying plugins, 3d studio max.

Synax, Rhino's renderer is called Flamingo - its available from the Rhino site, when installed, its intergraded with Rhino, and you can use it as rhino's default renderer.

Dan: Feel free to make any corrections you see - most of the info is based on what you've said and the mistakes have probably crept in with my ham-fisted research

___________________
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We have done so.
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Alright, I made a couple corrections, and added a couple programs, but left the Rhino/Lightwave thing alone, someone who wants to decide what the cutoff point for being "expensive" is, can move them to the same block, and might want to include Electric Image Universe.

The problem with categorizing by price is that everyone has a different concept of what 'expensive' is
Also, prices slide a lot. LW dropped in price a while back, and AW introduced the 'cheapie' version of Maya. discreet also introduced a 'cheapie' version. Rhino got Flamingo and became a full, but more expensive package (instead of just a modeler).

My old post on the topic (out of date, of course) categorized everything into 'professional' or 'non-professional', and I was a little concerned even going that far. I had BMRT as a non-professional tool, but it is technically used on a professional basis when studios plug it into PRRenderMan as a raytracer.

Maybe it would be better to just sort by current price without any real divisions? Or possibly 'free' and 'not free'

I'll tell you what I really want

I want AutoCAD or IDEAS back .. both 3D rendering and modeling it in OR AutoDESK .. is there anything formiliar like these out there? .. that costs much less .. LOL .. if I was still working for a engineering firm I would have AutoCAD .. but oh well .. I've worked with AutoCAD since version 10 .. so I'm going through withdrawals .. [sighing] .. someone hold me


.::. cEll .::. 513

[This message has been edited by RammStein (edited 09-05-2002).]

Your could try TurboCAD, cheapish and seems nice, It uses the lightworks rendering engine.


To CADish for this artist but those fimilar with CAD concepts would take to it like a duck to water.

jstuartj

Cinema4D is an up and comer in the 3D Industry.

The current favorites are in this order based on popularity:
#1. 3DStudio Max
#2. Lightwave
#3. Cinema4DXL
#4. Maya
http://www.3dfortherealworld.com

The hottest 3D Forum currently is http://www.cgtalk.com

Acknowledged as the best 3D Polygon modeller is Mirai/Nendo, which are not currently available. http://www.wings3d.com Wings3D, a freeware program based on Mirai/Nendo is acknowledged by most as the best Polygon modeller currently available. Max, Maya, Lightwave and Cinema users all are known to use it.

While AutoCAD remains a favorite and is in no danger of being toppled off it's commanding lead, ArchiCAD and VectorWorks are both making huge inroads into Architectural fields. SolidWorks and Rhino3D are making huge inroads into Engineering. Rhino was chosen by Ford Motor Company as their default platform upon which Auto Bodies are designed.

Another interesting piece of software for Architects is SketchUp. http://www.sketchup.com
Sketchup touted as a "3D Concept Design Package" It's makers say that it is not designed to replace CAD but augment it. It does have CAD features, and some Architects are quite excited with it.

[This message has been edited by KBOC (edited 09-16-2002).]

How would you rate Bryce?

Dan: I was implying that Rhino doesn't come packaged with a (advanced) rendering engine. I'm well aware of Flamingo

remember... if you are a student in any way, some of those programs will cost you MUCH less. You might even find a computer class at your local U. and qualify for the discount.

quote:

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The hottest 3D Forum currently is http://www.cgtalk.com

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I'll say. I haven't seen under 100 people browsing there. The list of browsers at the bottom of the page is pretty big all the time. Not only that, but I am constantly getting a message saying that the server is too busy.




[This message has been edited by warjournal (edited 09-24-2002).]

works for me atm.

but you are right. they have 14,861 registered members.

I have become fascinated with some things I have seen in the Softimage

What about Electric Image Universe??? has anyone tested it??

I got a 404 on the TrueSpace link in the FAQWikki,

BMRT is no longer being distributed was the message I got on that page.

And I couldn't reacher the Blender page.

I would have updated the FAQ if I had any actual real knowledge of any of the happenings here, but I am just trying to get the information.

The problem with blender was that it went bankrupt. =) Luckily, since it had a big fanbase, a lot of people donated money to buy the source code so it wouldn't die. They've released it as open source, and you can get it here: http://www.blender.org/

Thanks for the CG talk link. I had no idea, and I've been needing a better forum for 3D questions -- no offense. You guys rock, but you don't compete. ^_^ Hot damn.. everything is so good these days.

Have I mentioned lately that I love you guys?

Shine and shine.

I personally have a soft spot for 3DS MAX, just something with the layout and interfaces that appeals to me,
I have just started learning it in the not to distant past, and I have not run into an "major" problems yet.

But like everyone sels said, has lots to do with what you want to do with it, some programs know a lot about a little, and other know little about a lot!!!

Demo progs can be a great test to ones likeing