I need suggestions for a 3D Modeler. I'm making a 2D game involving a top-down view of spaceships (fighters and capital ships). My objective is to model the ships in a 3D Modeler with very basic polygon models and then render top-down images of them as bitmaps. Ideally, the modeller would incorporate lighting (to make the ships more realistic and polished). If possible, I would also like to apply basic textures to the models first, as well. (Afterwards, I would take the bitmaps and apply much more detail in a 2D paint program). I've never done any 3D modelling before (and my 2D skills aren't so good, either). So what programs do people suggest? The cheaper, the better. I'm not looking for anything really high-end or advanced - just basic models, texturing, lighting, and rendering to bitmaps. Also, ease of use is a huge plus, since I'm new to this. Abudance of tutorials would also be helpful (if you have any suggestions for those relating to suggested programs, those would be welcome as well). I tried using Caligari Truespace - it looked incredibly difficult and way overpowered. I couldn't find any good tutorials. There were way too many controls, without enough text and explanations. I'm hoping for something better...

www.blender.org

Even better if you don't have used any 3d modeler before, because blender user interface is a bit "different". But either way, its best choice in "free modeler" -category.

If you're just starting out, I'd recommend going with something with a more traditional interface than blender. There is a 30 day trial of Milkshape that would probably be best to try out. Even after you finish the trial, its only about $30 to buy.

I've been impressed by Cheetah3D, although that's Mac-only. (I own a PC as well, but it has a much smaller display than my 20" iMac.) It's the first 3D modeling app I've come across in more than 15 years of looking which I've managed to get along with.

I would avoid Blender with a 100-foot bargepole: The UI is the work of a lunatic on crack, and makes Truespace look downright intuitive by comparison.

Truespace itself is certainly very, very powerful. (I still own a boxed copy of v6.5; it's for sale if anyone wants it. $200 will get you the full box with manuals, etc.) Unfortunately, Truespace's UI is heavily reliant on tiny, hard-to-decipher icons. They use them for _everything_. My memory doesn't like this type of UI; I simply cannot remember the icons, so I've since given up on it.

I've been tempted by Lightwave, but it's overkill for my needs.

I'm not sure if Wings3D is worth a look. It's a free subdivision modeler, but it's not as intuitive as Cheetah3D and has some rough edges. It looks a lot easier to learn than Blender though.

Milkshape looks interesting, but it's a very specialised modeler, so have a play with it first. (It's Windows-only, so I'm not interested in it myself. I'm also more interested in a complete package which lets me do complete animations and cut-scenes if I need to.)

I did find Cinema 4D more accessible than most of the high-end packages, so you might want to take a look at that too sometime. However, it's far from low-budget.

well i just started 3d modeling and its tough but there is one bigginger program that i am using called Deled 3d its good for us begginers BUT LIKE I SAID ED MODELING IS TOUGH, if you want to level design the best choice is definately Freeworld3d


(www.freeword3d.org) for freeworld

and

(www.delgine.com)for deled

Quote:

Original post by stimarco I would avoid Blender with a 100-foot bargepole: The UI is the work of a lunatic on crack, and makes Truespace look downright intuitive by comparison.

ROFL, well put. I agree that they are both "pieces of work". OK, I'm only mad at Caligari because they wouldn't replace my 3.5" floppies of TS2 that failed last year (insert tongue in cheek). Blender's pretty cool, gotta love the price!

[Edited by - taby on January 23, 2007 7:53:41 PM]

Why should Caligari replace your TS2 copy when you can download TS 3 for free?

http://forms.caligari.com/forms/ts3all_free.html

But keep in mind that TS3 has no bones nor other useful features like SDS or Mirror Modeler. It is stoneold. But has not this much features that you get lost. Good to start with 3D.

I would suggest to spend a few bucks to get at least TS 5, 6, or better 6.6 once you get used to the interface. Plus the Polytools Plugins and Motion Studio (alternative Bones System). I cannot recommend current TS 7.1 at the moment though. More an Alpha version than a full version ...

For TS being difficult, well, 3D in general IS difficult nowadays. I wouldn't want to start with nowadays generation. Hundrets of tools. No matter which 3D Software you use. You will get lost in all of them first.

Different to other render software, TS has a nearly completely button driven interface. Which is confusing in the first moment. But i got quickly used to it those days. And don't want to miss it anymore. This small Buttons makes it possible to place all needed tools accessible in the workspace. No big pulldown menu searching. And after a while you will hotkey most important features too. Which gives me a quick workflow.

TS is no high end 3D software though. The decision which software to use is in the end a thing of personal flavour and your purse. Would surely switch to one of the big ones when i would have more money ;)

What kept me away from Blender, besides the chaotic GUI, is the fact that it cannot handle N-Gons. Just Tris. No quads makes it hard to model. Edgeloop fun ...

I would say, go Blender... in recent attempts to model with it I have found that they have improved the UI over previous versions, and it works just fine for me... especially considering the price.

Also Blender supports Python scripting.