Topic: Software for aspiring Modelers (Read 4037 times)

Tus · « **on:** March 03, 2006, 02:58:39 pm »

Hey you all, i figured i would make a quick list of stuff that peps might find handy to get started:

3d programs:

Free

[li] Blender free and open source, exports to a variety of formats (not .mod) [/li]

[li] Gmax not sure what it can export to, but it is free

[/li]

[li] Wings 3D [/li]

[li] Zmodeler2 [/li]

[li] POV-Ray [/li] (Syntax based, no GUI)

[li] KPovModeler [/li] Like pov ray but w/ a GUI

[li] Anim8or [/li]
[/list]

Trial

[li] Milkshape 30 day free trial, $25 1 time fee[/li]

[li] 3ds Max 30 day free trial, requires registration[/li]
[/list]

Purchase

[li] Milkshape 30 day free trial, $25 1 time fee[/li]

[li] 3d Studio max 7 Students (accredited institutions) $589, retail $3,495 (note your best bet would be to find a versionof 4.0 or 4.2 on ebay or something) [/li]

[li] lightwave Student (accredited institutions) $395, Retail $1,595 (again try ebay)[/li]
[li] Zmodeler2 [/li] $42
[/list]

2d programs:

Free

[li] Gimp never tried it, supposadly very good[/li]

[li] Gimpshop more like photo shop, only for mac (also never tried) [/li]

[li] Irfanview Image editing software, very good at resizing [/li]
[/list]

Trial

[li] Adobe Photoshop CS 30 day trial [/li]

[li] Paint Shop Pro 30 day trial[/li]

[li] Freehand for specialised 2D graphics and print layout tasks, 30 day trial [/li]
[/list]

Purchase

[li] Photoshop CS2 Student (accredited institutions only ) $289, Retail $599 [/li]
[li] Paintshop Pro $99 [/li]

[/list]

Other

Free

[li] lithunwrap Used w/ milkshape for UV mapping [/li]

[/list]

Trial
[li] ulitimate unwrap 3d[/li]
[/list]

Purchase
[li] ulitimate unwrap 3d[/li] $50
[/list]

Plugins

Free
[li] Model Tools for SFC Mod viewer, max plugins, SFC3 mod tools [/li]
[li] Assimsoft Milkshape Plugins [/li]
[li] POV-Ray include file exporter plug-in for milkshape 3D [/li]
[/list]

Trial
[/list]

Purchase
[/list]

Add ons

Free
[li] the galaxy include file for POV-Ray [/li]

[/list]

Trial
[/list]

Purchase
[/list]

I'm sure i missed some stuff, so please add if ya got things that might help

Kana · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2006, 03:33:36 pm »

I would add this to the list as well

Ultimate Unwrap 3d

http://www.unwrap3d.com/downloads.aspx

It cost 50.00 USD, for the full registered version, but it supposedly will import and export in over 50 different common formats with downloadable plugins.

AlchemistiD · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2006, 03:44:40 pm »

Nice, thanks alot Tus.

Interstellar Machine · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2006, 06:11:26 pm »

Here is another free 3D package, comprable to Milkeshape but can't export to mod.

http://www.zmodeler2.com/index.php

I know 1.07 is free and workable, I just found that version 2 is out there now, I am downloading it as I type

KBF MalaK · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2006, 06:26:57 pm »

whats the difference between Lightwave, and Lightscape ?? I have em both as well as Max 3.1, and 5 but I do most of my work in milkshape only using Max to refine some details.

Bonk · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2006, 06:34:37 pm »

If I might add (all free):

Assimsoft Milkshape Plugins
POV-Ray include file exporter plug-in for milkshape 3D

POV-Ray
the galaxy include file for POV-Ray

Wings 3D

(thread added to consolidated stickies post... great idea Tus!

)

Tus · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2006, 07:22:18 pm »

Quote from: Bonk on March 03, 2006, 06:34:37 pm

If I might add (all free):

Assimsoft Milkshape Plugins
POV-Ray include file exporter plug-in for milkshape 3D

POV-Ray
the galaxy include file for POV-Ray

Wings 3D

(thread added to consolidated stickies post... great idea Tus! )

Thanks, and all the stuff you provided has been added to the first post

markyd · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2006, 08:32:27 am »

GMAX was on the ball.. if you have a copy keep it close to your chest... as it is no longer available, discreet binned the project in november, and no longer allow it to be downloaded

Mr_Tricorder · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2006, 10:44:37 am »

Quote from: AkamI on March 04, 2006, 08:32:27 am

GMAX was on the ball.. if you have a copy keep it close to your chest... as it is no longer available, discreet binned the project in november, and no longer allow it to be downloaded

WTF?! WHY?! It was such a great idea! I'll bet the guys at Autodesk just didn't like the idea of giving away something like that for free.

Bonk · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2006, 10:59:15 am »

KPovModeler

Tus · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2006, 01:27:46 pm »

Quote from: Bonk on March 04, 2006, 10:59:15 am

KPovModeler

Added

Kana · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2006, 06:31:26 pm »

Looking good Tus...

Sandman3D · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2006, 06:47:31 pm »

Don't forget the 1st program I used...Anim8or. Easy controls, good tutorials and free...plus exports to .3ds and I believe it might do .lwo. Here's a link http://www.anim8or.com/main/index.html

Tus · « **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2006, 08:09:26 pm »

Quote from: Sandman3D on March 05, 2006, 06:47:31 pm

Don't forget the 1st program I used...Anim8or. Easy controls, good tutorials and free...plus exports to .3ds and I believe it might do .lwo. Here's a link http://www.anim8or.com/main/index.html

added... if anyone knows of more 2d proggies i think that might be useful to

Interstellar Machine · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2006, 11:46:49 am »

I use Irfanview very heavily, especially to make damage textures.

http://www.irfanview.com/

Powerpoint was my primary texture maker untill it no longer came standard on PCs
Now I use Word. It is not as effeicient but I can still get by with it.

KBF-Kurok · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2006, 12:02:03 pm »

Lithunwrap http://files.seriouszone.com/download.php?fileid=198

Bonk · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2006, 01:03:59 pm »

I'm a fan of Freehand for specialised 2D graphics and print layout tasks.

Tus · « **Reply #17 on:** March 06, 2006, 01:36:20 pm »

all added

Bonk · « **Reply #18 on:** March 06, 2006, 03:51:44 pm »

Freehand is not free (despite the name). There is a 30 day trial though.

Mackie · « **Reply #19 on:** March 07, 2006, 11:24:35 am »

You forgot Rhino.
And MS3d is as good as any for basic modeling as long as you know how to use it.

made pretty much all the way in milkshape, finetuned in LW.
http://outalance.battleclinic.com/darkcentral/ships/images/carthage.jpg
(LCamaral textures though)

Interstellar Machine · « **Reply #20 on:** March 11, 2006, 07:14:26 am »

Here is another one, you get a 30 day trial, and then use is limited. It can export to many different formats, even Homeworld, but not our beloved *.mod. Apparently there are several different variations of this engine.

http://www.righthemisphere.com/products/dcreator/index.htm

atheorhaven · « **Reply #21 on:** March 12, 2006, 09:08:52 pm »

Check this page on my site:
http://outalance.battleclinic.com/atheorhaven/html/_sgg/m1m3s1_1.htm

You'll find gmax up there, as well as Amapi and a couple of others. I have a newer version of Amapi 5 and 6 that have included registrations (ie: free to use). (They just aren't up yet because I've yet to figure out how to get files up to the site).. :p

ModelsPlease · « **Reply #22 on:** April 11, 2006, 08:15:04 am »

ATTN : Bonk

Please add this thread to the Consolidated Stickies

Bonk · « **Reply #23 on:** April 11, 2006, 08:35:54 am »

Already did, last month:

Quote

« Last Edit: March 03, 2006, 08:30:49 pm by Bonk »

on the same day you posted this topic:

Quote

« on: March 03, 2006, 04:58:39 pm »

I think you already requested that I do so, though I don't remember either...

Interstellar Machine · « **Reply #24 on:** September 13, 2006, 07:01:35 am »

This is a free, simple, single viewport program. It is a good start for someone interested in messing with 3D models for the first time. It has a few raytrace options not available in other free or simple software. Get Google Sketchup here:

http://sketchup.google.com/

Interstellar Machine · « **Reply #25 on:** November 10, 2006, 10:52:47 am »

Free/older version of Lithium UnWrap:

http://files.seriouszone.com/download.php?fileid=198

Looks like it can import Armada Sods

Bishop13 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 25, 2006, 06:05:09 pm »

Hey there folks. I am as green as you can get when it comes to modeling. I have no concept of how to go about getting my feet wet. Can anyone point me to a great program that will allow me to learn without getting in over my head? I really appreciate it, thanks!

Rod ONeal · « **Reply #27 on:** November 25, 2006, 06:49:09 pm »

Quote from: Bishop13 on November 25, 2006, 06:05:09 pm

Hey there folks. I am as green as you can get when it comes to modeling. I have no concept of how to go about getting my feet wet. Can anyone point me to a great program that will allow me to learn without getting in over my head? I really appreciate it, thanks!

Totally free and an excellent pgm. is Blender www.blender.org

Really cheap ($25.00 or so after free 30 day trial) and exports to .mod (The format that SFC uses) is Milkshape www.milkshape3d.com

Interstellar Machine · « **Reply #28 on:** November 25, 2006, 07:52:23 pm »

Three Cheers for Milkshape!!

Yeah, Milkshape is your best bet. I recommend starting out by learning how to import existing ships and manipulating the parts. Do some kitbashes, and then, as you get better at those, you will find reason to fill in with your own model parts. Eventually, you will be using little or no outside ship parts and building your own models.

There are lots of people here happy to help you out with specific questions and problems as they come up.

Rod ONeal · « **Reply #29 on:** November 26, 2006, 12:06:52 am »

Another plus for Milkshape is ease of use. I was able to start modeling with it right away. Never read a tutorial one. Very logical and easy to figure out.

I forgot about gmax. Virtually the same as studiomax, but free. It's limited on the file formats that it'll work with. Won't import/export .mod, but does support other games. I have imported .3ds into it (will also do .obj) and exported to .m3d (Quake 3 format) and then into milkshape, which works fine. It'll do a lot more than Milkshape will. http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax

If you end up with a pgm. that won't export to the game format you want there are folks here that'll convert your models for you. I will, if you need.

Forgot about a paint pgm. too. You'll need one for texturing your models. There's always photoshop and paintshop pro, for commercial pgms. Most people use one of these, but they aren't free. Gimp is supposed to be a good free one. I've never used it, myself. www.gimp.org
Microsoft's, "Acrylic" is still available as a 6mos. trial and is gonna be a pretty highend paint product, when it's finally finished. If you're familiar, and comfortable, with M$ pgms. and their interfaces, you might want to try it out. http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/en/graphic_designer/default.aspx

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Author Topic: Software for aspiring Modelers (Read 4037 times)