what kind of software do i need to make graphics for a game.

MS Paint

the answer depends on the art

at the very lest to need to have a 2d program. the best and most widely used is photo shop. thats my personal preference, but it''s kind of expenive. a cheeper alturnitive is pant shop pro, some ppl like it more then photoshop, i don''t but thats just me.
if you are doing 3d stuff you need a 3d app. the most populer in games is 3ds max, but it''s $3,000+, there is also maya and lightwave, i love maya, and i''ve heard good things about lightwave. but maya is 2,000 and lightwave is 1,600, so there still up there.
for a cheep 3d alturnitive try truespace or milkshape, there not quite as good, but they get the job done.

one word:

edlin

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Original post by headshot
at the very lest to need to have a 2d program.

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Actually, I quite like my 1d programs! They provide the ultimate suspense =)


As for RZ, I usually use public domain pix and then spruce them up in paint. The ONLY problem with that is... I use gifs and paint doesn''t really like them so... I get screwed over when the colors change. Fortunately, they usually change to become darker, and that suits perfectly with my game =)

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Original post by TreizeSG

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Original post by headshot
at the very lest to need to have a 2d program.

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I get screwed over when the colors change. Fortunately, they usually change to become darker, and that suits perfectly with my game =)

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I thought this was a visual <u>arts</u> forum!

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Original post by Anonymous Poster
one word:

edlin

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Ha ha! Boy, does that bring back memories! I can remember trying to use edlin to make little sprites for the first rpg I ever made--not having the resources to get PC Paintbrush which was all the rage at the time, nor the knowledge to build a cheesy little sprite editor such as I made some months later.

Anyway--

If you are looking for FREE alternatives to Photoshop/3DStudio, you can always try The Gimp (there is a Windows version at www.gimp.org/win32, I believe). They admit themselves it lacks many things Photshop boasts, but most of that you won''t use to be perfectly honest, at least not to start with.
I have also used Paintshop Pro in the past, and found it to be a very nice paint for the price.

As for 3D modelling, I personally have had good luck with Blender, but I have to be honest-- initially, the interface seems somewhat schizophrenic especially, I''ve been told, if you have 3DStudio experience. I didn''t let that scare me off, and I am very happy with it now. I understand that Wings3D and Milkshape are also alternatives, but I can not honestly say that I have any experience with either.

Personally, I would steer clear of the expensive commercial monsters-- Photoshop, 3DStudio, etc... -- unless I was making a go at a commercial enterprise myself. Their costs FAR outweigh any increased capability for a hobbyist (unless you''re loaded), and the alternative that many spring for (ie, software piracy) is not exactly a desirable option.

Best of luck




Josh
vertexnormal AT email DOT com

Check out Golem at:
My cheapass website

I''ll second the vote for Paint Shop Pro. Under $80 and it''s well worth it, since I can''t afford PS anyways.

And gmax for 3D is free, but annoying to deal with the file formats. Blender is good, but difficult to learn, but free - and open source. MilkShape 3D is $20 and very easy to learn and use, but somewhat limited.

Geo

I use Wings for modelling (free and insanely easy) and the GIMP for textures/2D art.

I recommend Paint Shop Pro for 2d stuff, you can also try Photoshop but that''s more expensive...For 3d milkshape its the best and it very cheap only $20 bucks if you want to go free then I heard good things about Blender