3d Art Pipeline
by David Everhart · in Artist Corner · 04/24/2008 (5:45 pm) · 6 replies
I have been lurking around reading the 3d model and animation forums, reading up on the various pros and cons of the many 3d programs out there. I originally had tried my hand at a 2d art piplene, and while it was decent, the amount of work was pretty heavy. At that point, I began to learn about 3d modeling, and what was needed to get it into Torque X.
From what I understand, please correct me if I am wrong, the sequence is:
1) Model
2) Texture
3) Rig
4) Animate
5) Export to DTS/DSQ
I had begun learning the modeling aspect via 3ds max (30 day trial) and the Maya PLE. While both are great, they are out of reach due to the cost. For a 3d beginner, what program can do all of the above, or is my assumption on the pipline incorrect? Also, I understand some programs are better than others for modeling static and dynamic objects. At this point, I was looking at maybe Silo for organic modeling, and XSI for the rest of the pipline. I am using Torque X for my engine as well. Any insight would be appreciated.
From what I understand, please correct me if I am wrong, the sequence is:
1) Model
2) Texture
3) Rig
4) Animate
5) Export to DTS/DSQ
I had begun learning the modeling aspect via 3ds max (30 day trial) and the Maya PLE. While both are great, they are out of reach due to the cost. For a 3d beginner, what program can do all of the above, or is my assumption on the pipline incorrect? Also, I understand some programs are better than others for modeling static and dynamic objects. At this point, I was looking at maybe Silo for organic modeling, and XSI for the rest of the pipline. I am using Torque X for my engine as well. Any insight would be appreciated.
#2
XSI is amazing and XSI Foundation is very reasonably priced. However, I'm not sure about exporter status. There's some stuff here, but it seems old (XSI4) and not yet very mature. Maybe you will have to take your models to Blender or some other supported program to do the export (which in the case of rigged characters probably becomes a no-go).
Also, if you are not strictly into low-poly work, you may want to take a look at ZBrush--especially if you have organic modeling in mind. ZB IMHO is simply one the most amazing programs ever written.
04/24/2008 (8:28 pm)
You may want to give Blender a try. A bit tougher to get into, but it is a *very* capable 3D program and is entirely free. Well worth the initial steep learning curve. It also has a good DTS exporter thanks to Joseph Greenawalt.XSI is amazing and XSI Foundation is very reasonably priced. However, I'm not sure about exporter status. There's some stuff here, but it seems old (XSI4) and not yet very mature. Maybe you will have to take your models to Blender or some other supported program to do the export (which in the case of rigged characters probably becomes a no-go).
Also, if you are not strictly into low-poly work, you may want to take a look at ZBrush--especially if you have organic modeling in mind. ZB IMHO is simply one the most amazing programs ever written.
#3
@Liam
I checked out AC3d last night, looks pretty good.
@Renee
Can XSI Foundation (the one I was looking at) support the full pipeline? I was only considering XSI because of the good reviews from people who have used it, and it was on the TDN matrix as an exporter. I was mainly considering low polygon modeling since the game I am envisioning is diablo like, with lots of enemies/minions on screen. I was checking out SIlO because the videos looked pretty neat, and some posts mentioned that for character design , it was the way to go. I have heard of blender, and will check it out more in depth. I can spend up to a grand on whatever I choose to support the pipeline, with all these programs with varying levels of support, it can be confusing.
I appreciate the replies so far, thanks guys/gals :)
04/25/2008 (6:50 am)
Thanks for the replies. @Liam
I checked out AC3d last night, looks pretty good.
@Renee
Can XSI Foundation (the one I was looking at) support the full pipeline? I was only considering XSI because of the good reviews from people who have used it, and it was on the TDN matrix as an exporter. I was mainly considering low polygon modeling since the game I am envisioning is diablo like, with lots of enemies/minions on screen. I was checking out SIlO because the videos looked pretty neat, and some posts mentioned that for character design , it was the way to go. I have heard of blender, and will check it out more in depth. I can spend up to a grand on whatever I choose to support the pipeline, with all these programs with varying levels of support, it can be confusing.
I appreciate the replies so far, thanks guys/gals :)
#4
Nope, not there.
As for the pipeline and XSI: sure, Foundation is very capable. As long as you don't need any of the compositing, hair and simulation stuff (not sure what the current precise edition differences are though; most of my experiences date back to 4.2), you're absolutely fine with Foundation. Everything's in there. Some advanced animation stuff has usually been reserved for the bigger editions, but for game artwork, you usually don't need them anyway.
Silo is a great modeler. If you decide on getting yourself an extra package exclusively for modeling, then Silo definitely is a good bet. Still, try out anything before you buy (even XSI Essentials has a demo). Don't just rely on what other people say or on what impression you get from their online material.
Blender has a *really* great modeler and it also features a very good unwrapping system which is a very valuable asset for low-poly artists.
04/25/2008 (7:35 am)
You sure about the exporter matrix? Checked it and saw no XSI... As for the pipeline and XSI: sure, Foundation is very capable. As long as you don't need any of the compositing, hair and simulation stuff (not sure what the current precise edition differences are though; most of my experiences date back to 4.2), you're absolutely fine with Foundation. Everything's in there. Some advanced animation stuff has usually been reserved for the bigger editions, but for game artwork, you usually don't need them anyway.
Silo is a great modeler. If you decide on getting yourself an extra package exclusively for modeling, then Silo definitely is a good bet. Still, try out anything before you buy (even XSI Essentials has a demo). Don't just rely on what other people say or on what impression you get from their online material.
Blender has a *really* great modeler and it also features a very good unwrapping system which is a very valuable asset for low-poly artists.
#5
I was looking at:
www.garagegames.com/developer/torque/artist/
It had a SoftImage|XSI beta exporter on the DTS section a little further down on the page. I dont know if it works well or not. I always try out the demos of various products, but there are so many, and while learning, it can be somewhat confusing. Ill go read up more on blender and SoftImage|XSI. Thanks for the reply Renee.
04/25/2008 (8:03 am)
Hi Renee, I was looking at:
www.garagegames.com/developer/torque/artist/
It had a SoftImage|XSI beta exporter on the DTS section a little further down on the page. I dont know if it works well or not. I always try out the demos of various products, but there are so many, and while learning, it can be somewhat confusing. Ill go read up more on blender and SoftImage|XSI. Thanks for the reply Renee.
#6
04/25/2008 (10:13 am)
I haven't used XSI, but I'm not sure how mature the DTS exporter is for it. It was in beta, but I haven't heard much of it since. If you're looking at TorqueX, then you should be good with FBX models, though.
Torque Owner Liam Shearer
I suggest buying AC3D, VERY cheap ($80), very powerful, but unfortunately lacks the Animating (and exporting, but you can always use a different program).
Anyways, good luck.