Free 3D Software
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- pubdoggy
Any recommendations for good, free (or less than £200) mac 3d software? We've been trying the all singing new 3D engine in CS5, and even on a quad core mac pro it sucks ass. Blender I assume is fantastic, but it's like trying to learn Mandarin without a babel fish. Not too fussed about animation, looking more for lovely static renders?
- Thelonious_Funk0
have you tried google sketchup? (very easy to learn)
the free version does not have a great renderer...But maybe you can build your models in sketchup, and import and render in blender.... just a thought.
There is also plugin render'ers you can use with sketchup but I think you need the full version for that.
- yes need full version from what I read, no experience with it though...rodzilla
- ********0
Blender
- whichever package you choose you need to invest time.********
- +1monoblanco
- +2Thelonious_Funk
- whichever package you choose you need to invest time.
- pubdoggy0
Anyone used Cheetah3D?
- monoblanco0
Modo is a very robust modeling solution for just a relatively modest price.
http://www.luxology.com/store/mo…
- twokids0
Blender. If you are going to to 3D, do it right. Take the time to learn. In 3D there are no shortcuts. You just have to do the work.
If you go to China and want to communicate, you need to learn Mandarin. Otherwise you will not communicate.
- ********0
Blender, hands down if you don't have cash for C4D etc.
- Thelonious_Funk0
im gonna have to agree with these guys.... learn 3d... watch some video tutorials... it really is the only way.. you think blender looks daunting, open 3dsmax... blender looks mighty simple IMO
- M_C_P0
pubdoggy, how large do your renders need to be?
Cinema4d has a demo that has a 640x400 limitation but fully functional in every other way. of all the 3d packages i tried, c4d simply clicked. there's still a learning curve but it's significantly lower than others.
what are you looking to do?
- ********0
what would Cheetah3D offer for the price vs blender?
- pubdoggy0
Cheers guys,
so - Blender? Holy shit, I'm a really old dog and them tricks just seem way too new - it's a totally counter-intuitive interface (to me anyway), you dont even use Apple-S to save, people!!! In terms of quality of static renders is it the best compared to the others as well or has it just got the best functionality?I used Cheetah last night for a bit and it was immediately more intuitive, but I'll give 4D a crack as well although 640x480 seems a bit TOO limiting.
- PIZZA0
Blender has revamped the UI recently, looks much easier to use now but yeah still feels like a clunky Linux app.
Modo and C4D are definitely best for beginners, Modo was traditionally more focused on modelling and C4D on motion graphics.
Houdini also has a fully featured learning version... but the final software costs a fortune unfortunately
- mks0
SketchUp is by the easiest to learn, although it is limited to relatively basic shapes.
There is a good free rendering plug-in that works with basic sketchup, it's called Kerkythea, it's open source and has a great website/forum for tutorials, tips, hints, support etc...
- ********0
Persistence of Vision - http://www.povray.org/ - steep learning curve, but the results cannot be beat...
- twokids0
See thing thing about 3D is....you have to put in the time to do quality work. You need to understand how vertices and faces and meshes work and a core level so that you can create sophisticated imagery. But it does take time.
Imagine this comparison:
Someone says, I need to create a graphic for say, a web page, but i dont know photoshop and it seems too complicated. do you tell them to go to a simple paint program? like windows paint or something? You know how limiting what they can do will be.There is no substitute for real knowledge and skill. You have to put in the time. If you can't - hire someone.