I want to make models...

[Htown]

I would like some recommendations on where I could find some inexpensive (read: free if possible) 3D modeling software and some good tutorials for learning how to make 3D models in general.  Thanks in advance for any suggestions I get.

[Michael Harris]

Well, I'm not a modeler (I just play one on tv *:) *),
but here's some of what I've picked up from browsing.

Modeling is involved/difficult enough that you may want to invest in some decent software, both for the capabilities it provides you and to facilitate building one's resume.

Movies tend to use high end stuff such as SoftImage, Maya, Alias, etc. which is priced accordingly. *They are increasingly beginning to explore the use of mid-range package.

Games and TV tend to use mid-range stuff such as 3D Studio Max ($2750 ?) and Lightwave ($900  ?). *They are increasingly exploring higher end packages such as Maya.

Then there is the rest of us. *We either get fanatical and invest in one of the mid-range packages above (excellent tools and good for the resume) or work with relatively low price (but actually pretty powerful) packages such as TrueSpace, Animation Master, etc. or with low price packages such as Milkshape 3D or Blender.

I believe that Croteam used Lightwave and that the modeler is best able to import Lightwave and 3D Studio.

Here are some links (not necessarily the best and certainly not the only such):
*character animation site--www.polycount.com
*skinning site--www.skindom.com
*LightWave--www.newtek.com
*3D Studio MAX--www.discreet.com
*TrueSpace--www.caligari.com
*Animation Master--www.hash.com
*Milkshape 3D--www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/
*Blender--www.blender.nl


(Edited by Michael Harris at 8:47 pm on Mar. 24, 2001)

[Admir Elezovic]

Milkshape seems to be choice of many 3d artist in MOD community, its been updated and have rich set of features to make it attractive for MOD community.
Other software like Hash Animation master, Truespace, Cinema 4d (in mid range) are also affordable and can be used for making models that will be imported in Serious Sam.
On the other hand, Lightwave, Maya, Softimage and Maya are best and widely used in gaming, tv and film industry but their prices (from 2500$ to 10000+ ) makes them unaffordable for normal users.

Whatever software you choose, read Serious Tools' help to see how to export models from it to Serious Modeler. Michael mentioned few good sites, internet is flooded tutorials and newsgroups that could help you. Also we will continue to support Serious Sam and with large growing community you will be able to find great help on Serious Sam forums.

Admir Elezovic, 3d artist, Croteam
admir@croteam.com

[Lilgooser]

I have Hash's Animation Master and it is great for character animation.  HOWEVER, I don't think it would be a wise choice to make models for SS.  Because of the patches it uses, when you convert to a different file type, it has an extremely high polygon count.  Just my 2 cents.

[Frostorm]

hmm If you can spare $20 or so, buy a copy of 3D world issue www.3dworldmag.com Jan 2001. I think there's a free demo version of Maya 2.5 good for a month, I think. While it maybe not be what you are looking for, but it sure is cheap and inexpensive way to start experimenting with it.

[rico]

I know first hand that 3d software is getting insanely expensive. At school, they use mostly Maya and Xsi (Softimage), as well as some 3D studio. Maya runs about $16,000 (US) and XSI from what I saw was $40,000 (US). Max is the cheapest at only a few thousand bucks, but who can afford that?

[Admir Elezovic]

Totally agree on prices going insane, tho you can get "limited" and "nonextreme" versions of Maya and SI for less than half price which are enough for modeling and animation. It depends what your needs are. Max seems most established in gaming industry, packed with cool feature and less expensive of those 3 (tho once you start buying plugins.......). We use Lw, which is least expensive of them all, it has great polygonal modeler, excelent UV editing but still shaky character animation features.

Admir  

[verybad]

Your best bet is to learn on a cheap or free modeler like milkshape, then work your way up to apps like 3dsmax, Maya, etc. I use Maya now, but I learned how to model in a horrible extinct program called ray dream designer. It's not really the tool but the user. It does take a LOT of effort on your part to become proficient, there's no fast way of going about it. The best method is to experiment with different features, do tutorials, and you'll learn quickly. I've been modeling for about 6 years, and I'm still learning new things everyday.

[BulleT]

First off, hiya all - first post here :)

I've heard rumors about Discreet want to release a kinda cutted-down Version of 3D Studio Max - optimized for gaming stuff and such, should be come in way under the prices of a full prof. packet, you may want to have a look for this ..

If i could find a link, i'll post it
hth
EDIT: That thingie is called GMax (http://www2.discreet.com/games/gmax.html) So if u *really* want to start modeling, that package sounds good to me so far...




(Edited by BulleT at 3:20 pm on Mar. 27, 2001)

[Admir Elezovic]

If you can buy Gmax, apparently you need to be developer with contract with publisher and there is no CA tools. It looks more like level builder

Admir

[verybad]

GMAX will reportedly be a free download in the future. It is not yet available. No word on it's functionality. It may only work with Gmax models, with no import/export capability or advanced rendering capability.

[Michael Harris]

The coverage that I've seen so far suggests that one would still rely on a more robust package for character animation.

[rico]

If you're looking for cheap (read: FREE) software, then try DOGA-L1 from a japanese student group. It's basically a 3d anime modeler (limited, but oh well) that you can download for free. Just type in DOGA-L1 or DOGA in any search engine and you should see it. ::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

[Zonk]

I do some modelling in 3Dmax and milkshape and i must say that Milkshape can do all of the things u need for lowpoly modeling.
http://www.runenews.com/whitechrist/icons/skeleton12.gif http://www.runenews.com/whitechrist/icons/frosty1.gif http://www.runenews.com/whitechrist/icons/Bladeduck1.gif http://www.runenews.com/whitechrist/icons/willi1.gif http://www.runenews.com/whitechrist/icons/Santa1.gif http://www.runenews.com/whitechrist/icons/bf1.gif http://www.runenews.com/whitechrist/icons/maja1.gif http://www.runenews.com/whitechrist/icons/florence1.gif http://www.runenews.com/whitechrist/icons/gift1.gif http://www.runenews.com/whitechrist/icons/star1.gif http://www.runenews.com/whitechrist/icons/tiger1.gif

(Edited by Zonk at 7:53 am on Mar. 30, 2001)

[Admir Elezovic]

Milkshape is well received and standard in mod community.
Another free modeler (japanese ofcourse), which looks like cross between max and lw can be found at:
http://www1.sphere.ne.jp/mizno/main_e.html

[Michael Harris]

Another site that appears useful, probably for modelling, mapping and texturing:
* *www.3dpalette.org

(Edited by Michael Harris at 11:07 am on Mar. 30, 2001)

[Admir Elezovic]

Thnx Michael, usefull as allways.

Admir