Art of Illusion

Yay. :)

If you are not attempting to make Half-Life 3, then I would suggest you to try out Blender. It is about 7.5 Mb download and has a neat python plug-in system which is not too hard to understand. The interface may be annoying at first, but don't get pissed off. There are many video tutorials that will help you get started. There are also a lot of other tutorials which can make you a real pro in no time.

Don't let the size of the package fool you, Blender comes packed with features that can rival some of the best modeling packages. There is tones of help and 100s of sites having blender help not to mention a huge community behind it.

Blender exports to most well known formats (including a bone based format called Cal3D which we are using in our engine). Support for MD3, MD2, OBJ, 3DS and many others comes packed in. You can also download plugins for other formats.

If you are truly looking for a professional free modeling package, blender is it. I am not saying that it is better than the rest, I am just saying it is small, compact and really good. Agreed, it has its quirks, but hey it has so much more, and its free. It allows us to write up crazy plugins and prototypes in no time at all. So who's complaining.

Another thing, 3D modeling packages are difficult to learn and master. Don't expect to download a package (any package) and start creating a Final Fantasy clone.

Quote: Original post by polyfrag
Why do I have to use a schematic when I just want to put a picture on a box???

Schematic? What the hell? I think you're using the wrong sort of tutorials, whatever you're doing.

Usually I just start throwing primitives on screen, dragging vertices, edges, and faces around, scaling them, extruding them, and booleaning things together. Sooner or later I get what I want. (Ok, so my modeling abilities are not that sophisticated.)

I am interested in seeing what type of models a programmer guy can make from the XSI tool, with minimal modeling experience and beginner level usage of this tool.

Nonetheless, many 3rd party exporter you can take advantage of usually are made for max or maya only. And low cost artiststs you may hire will use either of those, NOT blender.

As a poor solution, you can probably legally stick with trial version of either and reinstall the PC after the trial use expires.

Quote: Original post by Promit

Quote: Original post by polyfrag
Why do I have to use a schematic when I just want to put a picture on a box???

Schematic? What the hell? I think you're using the wrong sort of tutorials, whatever you're doing.

Usually I just start throwing primitives on screen, dragging vertices, edges, and faces around, scaling them, extruding them, and booleaning things together. Sooner or later I get what I want. (Ok, so my modeling abilities are not that sophisticated.)

OK guys I'm in a similar situation as polyfrag but with the situation reversed. I want to learn how to do some very fundamental 3D Programming. I'm not looking to be the next Carmack, but just be able to do some skeletal animation and normal mapping to test my art.
What is the easiest language? C++ or C# or Java or DarkBasic or something else? Also what's the best program? Visual Studio is way too confusing. It also needs to be free!

polyfrag do you have any suggestions on what to do?

Quote: Original post by parasolstars
I am interested in seeing what type of models a programmer guy can make from the XSI tool, with minimal modeling experience and beginner level usage of this tool.

This is what I did last. Took me about half an hour. It's built out of a cylinder, just scaling, extruding, and moving faces, edges, and vertices. (I could've done it via a lathed edge too.)

Quote: Original post by Professor420
Visual Studio is way too confusing. It also needs to be free!

Visual studio's is by no means confusing, trust me, its the best one and you will love it after you learn the basics (witch really only takes like half an hour).

You want ridiculously simple? Check out Silo 3D.

If you can save up $800 or so and go buy yourself Modo 201.

Quote: Original post by Professor420
ZBrush CANNOT take the place of a normal 3D modelling program. Technically and functionally it cannot function in that capacity.
Free modellers/animators are pretty much limited to Blender or Wings3D combined with Anim8or.

I like Wings3D alot. Seemed to be much easier for me than using Milkshape. I haven't tried Anim8or yet, but I think I will try that one next.