Starting 3D Modeling...
by Adam Bratt · in Artist Corner · 10/08/2004 (3:39 pm) · 10 replies
I have just started 3D modeling. I am currently using Milkshape 3D and can't decide what to get next 3D studio max, Maya, or Lightwave. I also want to know how to put skin or texture onto a 3D object. All I have now is a gray object. When I try to put a skin on, it is always the wrong size. Is there a program that can fix this?
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#2
10/09/2004 (5:30 am)
Cool. Where is the best place I can obtain a Legal version of 3D max for a good price.
#3
If you are genuin about making the investment into MAX do yourself a favor and get on a Subscription Program with it.
Besides all the training and extras you get you'll receive the latest version of MAX for free as they are updated. Discreet is now on a yearly cycle for new versions. They tend to be released around November. Max 7 will be out in a month.
Anyway the subscription (If you keep it current) will save you alot of money.
If your student you can purchase an educational version. Doesn't do you much good in the long run because you can't sell any of your work and most educational version are non upgradeable. But you do get to learn the software.
A little advice. When you talk to your reseller stress to them you are more interested in Lightwave and Maya soley based on their price. Usually you can get them to cut a deal or find you one anyway.
Matt
10/09/2004 (2:44 pm)
Go here look up your local resellerIf you are genuin about making the investment into MAX do yourself a favor and get on a Subscription Program with it.
Besides all the training and extras you get you'll receive the latest version of MAX for free as they are updated. Discreet is now on a yearly cycle for new versions. They tend to be released around November. Max 7 will be out in a month.
Anyway the subscription (If you keep it current) will save you alot of money.
If your student you can purchase an educational version. Doesn't do you much good in the long run because you can't sell any of your work and most educational version are non upgradeable. But you do get to learn the software.
A little advice. When you talk to your reseller stress to them you are more interested in Lightwave and Maya soley based on their price. Usually you can get them to cut a deal or find you one anyway.
Matt
#4
10/09/2004 (3:05 pm)
I got myself an educational max license last year for only 50$.... Matthew is right tough, you can only use the educational license for learning purposes, but it looks like that's your plan (at least for now), right?
#5
Max will still do the job for any model you want to do, but I find the cut poly tool in max to be a little lacking. The interface is well layed out and doesn't get in the way as much as I have found MAYA does for me.
Now milkshape would be positivly outstanding for torque if it supported multiple animation threads. You can't do things like up down animation for the arms while running. The only downside I have found.
Now as for UV's, there are a ton of uvw programs out there, some of which are free and support milkshape, hop on google and do some searching. ntil I get home that is and find out what program it is I use :)
10/11/2004 (4:23 am)
I just got the educational version of max as well, if you are a student, it's the best choice for games, while at an advanced level MAYA is far superior in every aspect, you really have to have a well defined skill in modeling in order to jump to that. Max will still do the job for any model you want to do, but I find the cut poly tool in max to be a little lacking. The interface is well layed out and doesn't get in the way as much as I have found MAYA does for me.
Now milkshape would be positivly outstanding for torque if it supported multiple animation threads. You can't do things like up down animation for the arms while running. The only downside I have found.
Now as for UV's, there are a ton of uvw programs out there, some of which are free and support milkshape, hop on google and do some searching. ntil I get home that is and find out what program it is I use :)
#6
Program is great and I agree with Paul with my whole heart but most of engines do not have any support for it whatsoever and when You are tight on money- it means problems. On the other hand- price difference between Max and Maya is big enough to allow You to buy Maya AND whatever converter You need. Additionally when it comes to UV mapping and 3d painting You do not need to buy anything if You use Maya- it has this tools included.
10/11/2004 (5:02 am)
Personally I use Maya but I would not recomend it for indie game developer, definitely not for starting one.Program is great and I agree with Paul with my whole heart but most of engines do not have any support for it whatsoever and when You are tight on money- it means problems. On the other hand- price difference between Max and Maya is big enough to allow You to buy Maya AND whatever converter You need. Additionally when it comes to UV mapping and 3d painting You do not need to buy anything if You use Maya- it has this tools included.
#7
10/11/2004 (5:59 am)
I think you should try getting the hang of Milkshape first. Figure out how to texture and animate. You'll be amazed how much you can achive with milkshape without having to spend that much!... there's plenty tutorials in the resource section. Just do a search :)
#8
11/05/2004 (1:12 pm)
Cinema4D is very good to, and cheaper than 3dsmax,maya and all that stuff, and theres always blender3D wich is free.
#9
11/05/2004 (1:44 pm)
Yeah, you really need to say what exactly you want to accomplish with your program. : )
#10
For texturing - you can use the free version of UV Mapper at www.uvmapper.com, or there's a fuller version for a pretty low price. (like 50 bucks)
There's also www.unwrap3d.com with a similar program and price.
To paint onto your map you can use Paint Shop Pro for I think around 100 bucks, or you can try the very full featured photo editor GIMP for free.
Milkshape is extremely easy to use for rigging, skinning and animation. Once you have your model done and textured you can import it into Milkshape, then follow the Animation tutorial in the helpfile and have some decent animation going in about 2 hours time.
11/06/2004 (8:45 am)
I highly reccomend trying out the free modeller Wings3D. I find you can create nice models extremely easily with it. I just started a few months back and pretty much tried out everything commercial and free, and it was by far the easiest to learn. For texturing - you can use the free version of UV Mapper at www.uvmapper.com, or there's a fuller version for a pretty low price. (like 50 bucks)
There's also www.unwrap3d.com with a similar program and price.
To paint onto your map you can use Paint Shop Pro for I think around 100 bucks, or you can try the very full featured photo editor GIMP for free.
Milkshape is extremely easy to use for rigging, skinning and animation. Once you have your model done and textured you can import it into Milkshape, then follow the Animation tutorial in the helpfile and have some decent animation going in about 2 hours time.
Torque Owner Very Interactive Person
And you have to lay out an uvw map to make the "skin" fit the model. I'm not sure how that is done in milkshape, but its defenetly possible using that software. In max you'd apply an Unwrap UVW modifier and have a couple of hours "fun" while making a nice UVW layout.