3D Modelling software • Non-Gaming • Software • Eurogamer.net

quedex 27 Feb 2006 10:01:01 3,135 posts
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Can someone recommend some good, but cheap, 3D Modelling software, please?

I've got a friend who is into building plaster-cast models, and thought that some software to help him design and prototype new pieces would make for a good birthday present.

This means that the 3D modelling side is more important than the whole "ray-tracing, NURB spline real-time caustic rendering" side. Being able to store pre-built pieces in a toolbox would be essential, for example. Some CAD software which can handle 3D designs would be ideal, but most of the ones I've seen are 2D only with extrude tools.

Now I know Blender is free, so if enough people can recommend it as suitable for my requirements, then I'm open to the possibility of spending the money on a couple of books that explain how to use it instead.

So any suggestions, please?

megastar 27 Feb 2006 10:03:39 17,238 posts
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Post deleted

Xerx3s 27 Feb 2006 10:08:34 23,970 posts
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Meh, id say Maya, but it isnt cheap. :\

Dunno about the costs for 3d max, but its less 'professional' imo.

fergal_oc 27 Feb 2006 10:12:32 2,764 posts
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There's a learners edition to Maya that you can download. Can see if it's worth spending the money on. Only down sides are your saves won't work with bought versions of Maya and the renders have stuff plastered over them. Other than that it's a full product.

Ecanem 27 Feb 2006 10:16:17 5,039 posts
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Download the free trials and see what you like.. "Wings" is totally free though (its a modelling package only but there are also free renderers for it) - I haven't tried it myself but several of my collegueas (sp?) rave about it..

quedex 27 Feb 2006 11:25:46 3,135 posts
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Thanks for your help. I'll give them a try.

Teeth 27 Feb 2006 11:28:38 7,987 posts
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There's that open source one, too. Blender.

edit - hmm... guess who didn't read the entire post

Edited by Teeth at 12:07:31 27-02-2006

mr_steve100 27 Feb 2006 11:38:53 1,238 posts
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I've used 3d Studio Max and it's pretty good and easy to use. Has the soft/NURBS modelling you'll need for sculpturing.

No idea of cost, but version 6 had tutorials built into it (which you can find after some faffing around and copying from the DVDs) - covers the basics and goes into the soft modelling stuff.

Shadrach 27 Feb 2006 11:40:10 1,878 posts
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Wings is a great package, considering it's free. If you are mostly interested in modelling then 3D max is probably the best, cos imo the modelling tools in Maya suck ass. XSI's modelling tools are good too.

pjmaybe 27 Feb 2006 11:41:06 70,666 posts
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Cinema 4D XL is a great bit of software. From what you're saying though, your guy could do worse than give Zbrush a go (or at least try the free trial) as it's a bit more "clay like" than any of the other stuff mentioned so far.

Peej

MetalDog 27 Feb 2006 11:50:16 24,076 posts
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3D Studio Max costs a /fortune/, pretty much because it's industry standard. Doesn't make it the best, just the standard - somewhat like photoshop charging over the odds and being widely used as opposed to PSP, which will do almost as much for tuppence.

Teeth 27 Feb 2006 11:51:48 7,987 posts
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PSP is better for pixel work too.

Shadrach 27 Feb 2006 11:56:08 1,878 posts
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ZBrush is great but the demo is pretty limited, you can't save custom tools and the canvas is stuck at 640x480 which is a bit of a pain. Mind you, all the Z-Sphere stuff works so it could be worth a shot, because it's one of the most non-3D-like 3D packages ever, it rocks hard.

Teeth 27 Feb 2006 12:06:59 7,987 posts
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Not cheap though

ed 27 Feb 2006 12:51:35 260 posts
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SILO is very very intuitive, and great for modelling. It lacks texturing tools completely, but if you buy it now you will get a free upgrade to version 2 (which will include uv mapping and z-brush style subdivision surface modelling).

Oh and most importantly it's just over �60....well, $109!