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Damn, it's expensive!!

Name:	Sam Bolton
Date Posted:	Jan 27, 2006
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Hey guys,
Thought I would put up on here how things are going as of now. We are really close to getting our story down, and then will immediately begin storyboarding and getting concept art and start modeling. Since we're so scrunched for time, we may not be able to do everything that we want to, but that's the price I guess.

I've been looking around for an easy to use modeler and animator and found that this stuff is expensive as shit. I was lookin' at Lightwave and I really like the program, but the program is $900 dollars!! I'm un-employed, so I really can't afford this kind of pricing. If anyone knows of a program like this, or something that will help me do the same thing in a sense, but cheaper, it would be much appreciated. Also still looking for programmers and 3D modelers. Anyone interested, we can't pay you, but we will mention you and give you credit for everything that you do.

So yeah, we're probably gonna' be comin' up with a project name soon and then will begin diving into everything. It's slow and coming right now, but we're getting there. If anyone has some advice, quick ways to cut-down time but still have good results, programs that I could use, anything like that would be much appreciated. Hope to hear from some of you.

Recent Blog Posts

List:	02/24/06 - Woot! 01/27/06 - Damn, it's expensive!! 01/23/06 - Really moving! 01/13/06 - Thoughts on some things. 01/12/06 - Thoughts about a story idea? 01/09/06 - Everything's goin' great so far! 01/08/06 - My first 3D game!!

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Chris Labombard (Jan 27, 2006 at 14:15 GMT)

the only peice of advice I can really offer you is don't start creating art assets until the gameplay (at least) is in and tuned.

Ideally, finish the majority of the progrmaming before you start creating assets, that way you won't throw anythign away and you'll be sure you want to continue with the project.

Anders Linder-Noren (Jan 27, 2006 at 14:19 GMT)

Check out Silo. It is priced at 100$.

fireVein (Jan 27, 2006 at 14:23 GMT)

Blender or Milkshape is an option.

-Jase

Phil Carlisle (Jan 27, 2006 at 14:24 GMT)

I like wings3d

Bryan Letcher aka "Panthros" (Jan 27, 2006 at 14:41 GMT)

Blender... Blender... Blender...
http://www.blender.org/cms/Home.2.0.html

Torque DTS Exporter for Blender
http://projects.blender.org/frs/?group_id=95

A Great link to compare Blender to Lightwave
http://www.alexswanson.com/torque/dts/

By the way, there should be very little to purchase software upfront as an Indie. They may not be the best, but you cannot beat free.

OpenOffice (Writing that first design document ;) -- http://www.openoffice.org/
Audacity (Sound creating and editing) -- http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Microsoft Visual Studio Express C++ -- http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/default.aspx
Gimp (2D image manipulation) -- http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/
Quark (DIF creation) -- http://quark.planetquake.gamespy.com/
Edited on Jan 27, 2006 14:57 GMT

Diesel (Jan 27, 2006 at 15:15 GMT)

3DS MAX student edition is $100

Bryan Letcher aka "Panthros" (Jan 27, 2006 at 15:24 GMT)

It is not legal to create commercial 3d images with the student edition so if he is planning on eventually selling his game, that is not an option. As indies, we need to respect other companies licenses for their software because someday we will want people to respect ours when we are selling our software.

Vashner (Jan 27, 2006 at 18:15 GMT)

Sam... Blender 4 sure. The 2.41 was just released yesterday. I am saving up for Maya but also learning Blender.

Alan H (Jan 27, 2006 at 21:34 GMT)

I like gamespace.

Matt Huston (Jan 27, 2006 at 22:07 GMT)

I would agree with Chris L. I am an artist, I get some dummy artwork done and then continue with your coding aspect.

Joe Bird (Jan 28, 2006 at 04:39 GMT)

If you want something with Lightwave's power that costs less check out Softimage|XSI (Foundation). Has everything you would need for game development at about half the price.

Unk (Jan 28, 2006 at 20:06 GMT)

Speaking of XSI, has anyone heard anything about the dts exporter for the latest version? It has been a month or two since I have heard a peep.

-Unk

Robert Janes (Feb 03, 2006 at 23:30 GMT)

I just started toying with 3d Modelling, and MilkShape was a great place to start, and for only $25 USD. What a steal ;) It can export to .dts, .3ds, HL Mods , Quake mods etc. Make the best of it, it's fairly simple to learn. I started designing basic ships... Sure the first one looked fairly bad, and so did the next 3 or 4, but eventually after hours of tweaking and playing, you get the hang of it.

That's just my suggestion, best of luck with modelling.

Brian "Ayavaron" Ross II (Feb 12, 2006 at 04:52 GMT)

I like to do my 3D modelling in Wings3D ($0). Then touch-up a little in Milkshape 3D ($25). I UV in Blender ($0). Then I rig and animate in Character FX ($25 I think...). I take it back into Milkshape for export. This setup costs $50 and works fairly well.

suddysud aka mrclean (Mar 06, 2006 at 08:37 GMT)

Brian could you please explain what it is about wings3d that you believe is superior to milkshape when it comes to modeling?

i have been looking through the manual, but i'm kinda new to modeling so let me know what makes you feel wings is the superior modeling package

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