I'm Cheap! What's Free?

[dougc]

I have been interested in making 3-D models for a long time just for fun, but all the big-name cool-looking stuff costs a fortune. I've run across a few very cheapo programs that weren't worth the CD's they were pressed on (they'd only allow a few simple shapes & colors, no documentation or help files (!?), usually tiny image output exporting- like, 200x200 pixels. Whoopee.)
,,,,,,
Also [while I'm dreaming] it'd be nice to have a drafting-type program that can also do fairly nice rendering... does such a thing exist? I have some knowledge of DirectX/Direct3D (what it is and what it isn't) and general programming, but it'd be a bummer to spend the time writing something myself only to find out that there's something already out there for free that I just hadn't heard about...

[dougc]

I have been interested in making 3-D models for a long time just for fun, but all the big-name cool-looking stuff costs a fortune. I've run across a few very cheapo programs that weren't worth the CD's they were pressed on (they'd only allow a few simple shapes & colors, no documentation or help files (!?), usually tiny image output exporting- like, 200x200 pixels. Whoopee.)
,,,,,,
Also [while I'm dreaming] it'd be nice to have a drafting-type program that can also do fairly nice rendering... does such a thing exist? I have some knowledge of DirectX/Direct3D (what it is and what it isn't) and general programming, but it'd be a bummer to spend the time writing something myself only to find out that there's something already out there for free that I just hadn't heard about...

[Renaud]

You can try BLENDER, wich is free. It's a powerfull software and very complete, with excelent features and a very good workflow, but need to get used to ;-)

You can also try Carrara from eovia, wich cost USD 400.

[Mark (theKeeper)]

Hi doug...

If you enjoy creating 3D landscapes and scenery, then definately get Terragen. And in it's current stage of development, it's free: http://www.planetside.de/terragen/
And you won't belive how photorealistic it can be. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

And for a 'normal' 3D app, that's free, checkout this page: http://www.freewarehome.com/index.html
Scroll down the menu on the left to the "Graphics" heading. Try a search too using those specific keywords: "free 3d software".

Good luck! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Let us know how you do.

"The lessons to be learned, are found along the path of your journey, not at your final destination. That is only where you will rest, between lessons"

[gnurf]

I've been completely hooked on the freeware app Wings 3D (can be found at - surprise, surprise - www.wings3d.com). It's a modelling app, and you can do simple texture rendering, but it is recommended to export your model and render it in some other rendering app. Currently, Wings exports to the following formats

* Nendo (NDO)
* 3D Studio (3DS)
* Wavefront (OBJ)
* VMRL (WRL)
* Renderman (RIB); currently rudimentary
* Hash:Animation Master (MDL); separate plug-in
* PovRay 3.5; currently as a separate plug-in

and it imports the following formats

* Nendo (NDO)
* 3D Studio (3DS)
* Wavefront (OBJ)
* Adobe Illustrator (AI)

-Paul

[Dan Huff]

Paul nailed it. For free, Wings is completely awesome. And it's really COOL, too [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Danny Huff
http://www.asherrocks.com
(I'm the guy who USED to have a lot of excess hair)

[gidgit]

yea, Wings is pretty cool, espec. for an app written by one person... though it should be suggested here that because it is written in java it is sometimes sluggish on lesser machines...

oh, and for those just opening it up for the first time and who are wondering where all the creative tools are... simply right click and start creating... [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

have a good one eh..

[gnurf]

Wings is not written java but a language called Erlang (I believe it is something developed by LM Ericsson), and it is not completely done by one person either (even though he is doing the main part) but is an open source project.

-Paul

[bmh216]

I would have recommended Strata, (alot of very talented 3D artists got their start with it) but apparently the free version is no longer available. Just visited their site and can't find a free version anywhere. That really sucks, because Strata was a fine introduction to the toolset and methods that allow one to model, texture and render in 3D. Shame to see it go.

Brett

[dougc]

-?-
Okay lemme narrow the field a bit: I want something free/cheap that can do everything to make still images, end-to-end. Importing from all this and exporting to all that is great except for the fact that this and that are the expensive programs I can't afford.
~