get into 3D

[jvila]

Hello,
How are you?.
I would like to learn some 3D tool and I'd like to learn one standar and more used in the market to be as much generic as possible, that is to say learn standard tools to be into the market.
Which software do you recommend me to learn?, I've seen several of them and it is difficult to decide.
Thanks in advance, best regards.

[Mike Bailey]

Javier, nice to see you take an interest in 3D. The question you ask is not easy to answer, what market do you want to enter into and What software have you looked at?

[jvila]

Hi Mike,
I am not interested in an specific market, I would like to create above all 3D renders of cars, buildings and mechanic parts and be able to create animations of them.
I've tried some of them such us Blender, zbrush, another one from 3D daz I can't remember the name, I was looking 3ds but never tried it.
The main reason is to learn an stardard software to avoid problems when you want to share files, etc.
Thank you very much for your kind help.

[Mike Bailey]

My tool set consist of:
Modo, http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/products/modo/
ZBrush, http://pixologic.com/
I have various other programs which I use for one reason or another.
I don't know much about 3DS max and Maya but I hear they are very good as well.

[pauland]

Jvila, there is no "standard" software. There are a load of different packages out there, at hugely varying price points, from nothing (Blender) to very expensive.

What makes great software professionally for a studio, may not be the same as what suits someone starting out with a minimal budget.

Mike has mentioned some software, Gare uses Cinema 4D, I think and in the past I used to use Lightwave 3D but I don't dabble any more.

All or any of these packages can have issues when exchanging files between each other - they tend to use their own proprietary format but with the ability to import and export various "standard" file formats.

Virtually all these packages can do a good job of visualisation and animation.

A lot of people start with Blender, but the Blender interface is a little different to other packages.

My basic advice would be to get familiar with one package rather than jump around looking for a "perfect" package.

Lastly, TG isn't a great place for 3D advice - very few people her are using these packages. Hunt out more specialist forums for packages that you are interested in.

[jvila]

Mike, Pauland, thank you very much for your help, I'll go deep looking the options you adviced to me.
Thank you very much