What 3D soft do you use?

[Deebur]

Ok ppl,

What 3d package do you use for creating content? Why? And what would you advice a 3d dummie like me :smurf: to have result quickly? Also tell me if you use any other app.

3ds max
Bryce
Lightscape
Strata 3D
Poser Houdini
Lightwave
Maya
Rhino
Amapi Softimage 3D
Blender

[eXhale]

Sorry I just noticed this thread was on the moderation list, no idea why it had to be approved since I haven't set such a setting.

[Deebur]

Sorry I just noticed this thread was on the moderation list, no idea why it had to be approved since I haven't set such a setting.

Sorry I wanted to start a poll but I messed but I guess...:sad:

[many2]

There are different things to think about and this is a choice I've had to make many times in the past for video game productions :

1. Price : How much can you spend ? The best packages with the best support are the most expensive.

2. Needs : What do you want to do with it ? Will you export models for real-time 3d, will you render a lot of stuff, do you need character animation, special effects, HRDF rendering, etc.

3. Support : There are some inexpensive or even free tools, but do you need support ? Also think about the fact that the most popular tools will benefit from a lot of user-made information and tutorials available on the net.

4. It's not the app, it's the artist : Do you know anyhting about 3d ? Believe me buying software won't make you an artist, not more than buying paint will turn you into a new Picasso. Maybe you should invest in education first. Once you really know 3d animation it doesn't matter what software you'll use as you'll be able to learn any of them inside out in a few weeks.

As for myself I know Softimage 3d inside out (used to teach it), but I've been using 3ds Max since version 3 (in fact I'm still using version 3.1, I couldn't afford to upgrade since, and I really don't need to). The best tools available right now are, in my opinion, 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage XSI and Lightwave, in that order.

Many-2

[PiedPiper]

3dsmax5 all the way for most 3d stuff.
objects import well into vjo and other organic art.
i hear lightwave can be run almost realtime on a video toaster system.

now that would be real live 3d power:)

[MoRpH]

Hmmm a little poser for body work, mainly Extreme 3D 2 (old macromedia 3d app) and swift3d for some flash 3d stuff. Personally I really HATE cheesy plasticy looking 3d and I have niether the time or patience to take the time to make stuff look natural as I want in any app, especially the 2 big bloated (and overly complicated) 3d apps most ppl use (you know the ones), so I'll stick to shooting stuff and only using 3d when 100% necessary or to bash out basic titles