3D Program - What should I use?

3DSMax and Maya. :thumb:

It’s like MINIMALISTIK said, it depends on what you’re trying to do. IMO these are the best, though very difficult to learn (I’m talking about 3D Studio, I’ve never used Maya though I’m sure it’s just as difficult).

The link I was mentioning is this long article about what good 3d apps are suitable for your needs and talks mainly about the high end renders like vray, mental ray, Anyone remember it?

in the forums or somewhere else?

The ironic thing is the kind of answers I was looking for you guys gave me perfectly. What kind of programs are better suited for what styles. I guess I wasn’t thinking clear enough at the time I posted it to get a more straighforward answer. I’d really like to see that article if anyone comes across it.

I had one more question, what program has that nice clay/soft look for renders? I don’t plan on strictly doing that style, but it’s something I’d like to dable in.

I think any 3D program could produce that, as long as the right textures/materials are used.

any one that has radiosity

in the forums or somewhere else?

its from a website that I cant remeber. It might have been mentioned here. Ill see if I can dig it up.

just try the f$%@ing apps for yourself. Read up on them.

Here are a couple of links to some of the educational versions of few 3D applications (along with a shameless link to my own 3D primer tutorial :)). I haven’t had much time to hunt down some more URL’s to the free applications like Blender and Silo… but you can trial these and see how you go. If you’re really game you can download Houdini Apprentice and tackle what the big boys use.

Softimage XSI
Alias Maya PLE
Houdini Apprentice

3D primer tutorial

Silo is not free…But it is only 100 bucks
www.nevercenter.com and you left off LW, Ironik :bad:

I just say one thing: Maya

www.polyid.com

Thanks everyone for the help, even if un-intended. This weekend is a download-and-try weekend. Hopefully I find something I like!

$100… dang, I thought it was free… I profess ignorance!

LW… I’ve tested out 5 and found the interface a little tricky, but I’ve heard it’s a good app to get started with. Is there an educational version?

not really you got to plead your case to them for a trial I believe. But I am absolutely in love with SILO right now.

I don’t they’ll be releasing anything soon… they lost most of their core developers about a year or so back I think (who are incidentally releasing their own product in direct competition with LW). Apparently LW 8 is a real disappointment because they didn’t change any of the underlying program architecture, just tacked on extras.

nice, industry conspiracies , lol, any follow up material on what app they are releasing ironik? sounds interesting…

They’ve founded a company called ‘Luxology’ and are going to release a new 3D package called ‘Modo’. I don’t have any web links… it was something I was reading recently about the release of LW 8.

wow, looks good

http://www.luxology.net/

Well, when i bought a book it came with free software and it came with a trial version of milkshape 3d which didnt even make sense because the book was about 2D games But i recently started using it an di really liked it.

then i got swift 3d. but i like milkshape a lot

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i was modeling a cool character in it and my trial stopped working so i could save it >:O
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actually I was expecting more out of 8, but it is a nice advancement. Although max 7 is looking good. You are right they integrated a bunch of plugins I already had for 7.5. The best thing they can do now is integrate fprime which will open up the code to people like MR and VR. BUt LW is not going anywhere anytime soon. They have a whole new team and some good things are on the horizon.