3d Software?

Hey all!

Not at home at the moment, on the road and forced to use my laptop (hence no work on my x5 WB theme), but have been talking to a few people about getting in to learning 3D modelling and animation.

I've got a pretty good level of experience working with video and film, in shooting it and editing it, but a group of us have come up with an idea for a small film we want to do, which bits of would be easier, or more impressive, if we used 3D.

I've been looking at the stuff done in recent high end films involving a lot of CG work (matrix, LOTR etc) and have been blown away by the quality of work. Obviously these are the best guys at their jobs, but its what we want to work towards.

We have been trying to decide on a software route to take to learn the concepts of 3D and perhaps use for some small bits and pieces until we get more accustomed to using the technology, at which point we may do larger CG elements. I myself have a pretty good background in film and digital imagery, but have never tried to work in 3D before. Are there any particular software solutions which stand out to any of you guys who might know? The licencing cost is irrelevant... We are fortunate enough to have people who can find the money for such things... But obviously if there is a piece of software that will better suit our needs and is cheaper than another rival, we'll likely take the cheaper option!

We're looking to in the end be able to do a few things:

Vehicle animation
Environment Extension (cityscapes etc)
Realistic crowds
An explosion or two maybe...

Obviously a few other smaller things as well.. but those are the big goals we are working towards.

Cheers for any help or comments you guys mught have.

#93114

Well, there are always favorites out there. Now, I'm not speaking from the standpoint of a pro who uses 3D on a daily basis for production, but I do produce 3D work and have an animator who works for me who produces some nice pieces.

As far as I've seen, there are 3 major camps: Lightwave, Maya and 3dsmax. All three are very powerful packages that can achieve just about anything that you want. The key of course is not in the tool, but how you use it and how much dedication you have for learning how to make the package do what you want. Personally, I use 3dsmax because I like the workflow, the modeling tools and the rendering quality (with version 6 Mental Ray is included and I also use VRay, both excellent R/S's for ultra realistic work). My animator swears by Lightwave because he finds it to be a more rapid solution for modeling, but not so much for character rigging. I have no experience with Maya, but there are many film production houses out there that rely heavily upon that package.

As far as effects such as explosions go, most of the apps include methods of producing those extras, including particle effects, hypervoxels, smoke & flame effects, etc. But I would encourage you to explore the plugins and third party apps that integrate with these packages - for instance, there's Cebas Thinking Particles, Wondertouch Particle Illusion, etc.

There are also standalone crowd simulation packages out there that you might want to explore. One that I can think of is called Crowd! Additionally, a major 3D package that I didn't mention above, SOFTIMAGE XSI includes built in crowd simulation.

Then onus is on you to be diligent and research the major 3D packages out there for feature and price comparison. If you have the time, I would suggest demo-ing a few at once to get a feel for them. Also, don't be swayed whatsoever by product galleries - you can produce the same quality images in Maxon Cinema 4D as you can in 3dsmax - with the difference of a few thousand dollars - the final product is really up to you.

#93138

Used 3ds max 4 and 5, and I love it. (Y) :bow: :rule:

Used Maya PLE, wasn't impressed. :rant: :banging:

Never used LightWave.

#93145

Maya's my favorite , but it costs around 7000$ last time i checked, you should go with 3d max, its easier, and you get the same quality as maya. If you've ever seen ice age, that film was made totally in maya.

#93178

i like 3d max.. =) btw, most explosions ya see in the movies are real.. even in the matrix =) they are filmed with da green/blue screen behind. obviously at a more small scale sometimes they are shot alone -just the fire. good luck!

#93180

I use 3D Studio Max and have for years!

Like yourself I wanted to get into 3D modelling I went out and got a Trackball, Graphics Tablet and 3DSM.

Ive got Maya v4.5 in my CD collection aswell and I havnt touched it! 3DSM is just that good I have even thought of trying it

IMO 3DSM is the best, the GUI is a bit overwhelming at times but its so easy to get the hang of!

My suggestion is whatever you chose get a good thick book, I used 3D Studio Max for Dummines and it comes with a demo version and its was so helpful a quick skim through the book and you get some great tips then you can explore knowing that if you need help it'll be in the book!

Scott

#93201

It doest realy matter, its all persional prefrence, get some demos and try em out for yourself heres a few to seriously consider>

3D studio max

Maya

Lightwave

Cinema 4D

Softimage XSI

All of them are used in major production, and you can get similar results out of all of them. I know maya and XSI both have nontimebombed learning editions, and max you can have a full 30 day demo mailed to you, ive heard of nasty people getting the demo and just cracking it to save a download, but thats just wrong.

Free ones to consider

Blender

Open FX

Keep in mind, once you get into a pice of software, you wont be able to switch easily, as each has its own way of doing things. I think maya is the stupidst looking and working thing ive ever used persional cause ive used max for so long.

#93228

Hey, thanks for all the feedback and advice guys!

It seems to me that the general consensus is that it doesnt matter what software we use as long as we take the time to get to know it and its individual quirks etc. I have to admit that its going to be daunting starting out with this stuff... But I'm sure I'll get to grips with it eventually.

Can anyone recommend a couple of good sites to go and see stuff done by various people of varying skill with the relative packages? Would be nice to see what people tend to produce with these things

Cheers

#93231

I used to try 3DSMax but it's kinda hard for me. Is there any easier tools for creating 3D stuffs, but still quite powerful?

I don't wanna go to 3DSMax yet.. (I'm not a 3D designer, just a web and software developer)

I like to learn, but then I found out at that time 3DSMax is like jumping ahead.. feels like a baby running when he/she should have learnt to walk first

#93238

Originally posted by o0o The DEEJ o0o@Dec 29 2003, 11:50 PM
Can anyone recommend a couple of good sites to go and see stuff done by various people of varying skill with the relative packages? Would be nice to see what people tend to produce with these things

Head over to the deviantart indyart>3D section and browse in there. Most people say what software there using. THeres some realy excelent artists over there.

and for goodness sake dont get the idae brice ior poser are the software your looking for tho :6

Max example

Cinema 4d example from the amazing ethan

Maya example

And if your looking for a XSI example check out some halflife 2 screenshots, cause thats all valve uses for modling, XSI that is. Not many indi artists use XSI tho, mostly movie studios/game studios and the like. Its got an excelent rep sheet tho.

#93288

Lyon: I'm a Studio Max user as well but, if you want a program thats easier to use try Truespace. They have a decent renderer and its a lot cheaper than buying Max. Its what i started modelling in back in 97.

#93406

Another very simple to use modeler is Rhino 3.0 the cool thing about rhino is the ability to export almost in every 3d format ever created! Rhino uses Nurbs natively (which are more precise than polymeshes! :moon: ) My second choice is 3D max, Brazil renderer is one of the most realistic renderers that I have seen.

Links

Rhino

Samples of my work with Rhino

3D Max

Later :rule:

#93505

Most of the big 3d packages offer free learning versions. 3d studio max has gmax, maya has maya personal learning edition, and I believe xsi has a demo version as well. Give them all a shot and find something you feel comfortable with.

Remember, the most important thing for 3d modeling is patience. Patience and a lot of money. Patience, money and some phonebook sized reference manuals.

#93772