The FREE 3D applications list

[Gary David Bouton]

Everyone, please help!

I need a definitive list to serve all members and visitors pointing them to free downloads of either fully working demos of 3D programs, or just demo versions.

Please add links, add a brief description/review of the program, possibly a quick example of the program's features/power, and please keep in mind that everyone does not have a cable modem.

Please help add to make this a really swell list.

Here's mine:

Adobe Dimensions 3 is an inexpensive ($149) application that extrudes and revolves paths to create anything from vases to extruded text. Texturing, lighting, and decomposing primitives is supported; it can export to PostScript or bitmap renderings but not to meshes. Shadows, reflections, and bump mapping are not supported, but hey, the learning curve is EASY.

Demo:
http://www.adobe.com/products/tryado...tml#product=20



TIA,
Gare

[Gary David Bouton]

Everyone, please help!

I need a definitive list to serve all members and visitors pointing them to free downloads of either fully working demos of 3D programs, or just demo versions.

Please add links, add a brief description/review of the program, possibly a quick example of the program's features/power, and please keep in mind that everyone does not have a cable modem.

Please help add to make this a really swell list.

Here's mine:

Adobe Dimensions 3 is an inexpensive ($149) application that extrudes and revolves paths to create anything from vases to extruded text. Texturing, lighting, and decomposing primitives is supported; it can export to PostScript or bitmap renderings but not to meshes. Shadows, reflections, and bump mapping are not supported, but hey, the learning curve is EASY.

Demo:
http://www.adobe.com/products/tryado...tml#product=20



TIA,
Gare

[bmh216]

Here are a few to look at, all FREE:

Wings 3D (excellent free modeller)
http://www.wings3d.com/

K3D
http://k3d.sourceforge.net/

Draw 3D
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~gorb...3D/Draw3D.html

POV-Ray & Pover (the original freeware modelling/rendering package--these go together quite well)
http://povray.org/
http://erny.narod.ru/eng/pover.htm

Design Workshop Lite
http://www.artifice.com/free/dw_lite.html

Alice (Check this out!)
http://www.alice.org/

Genesis II (landscape generation)
http://www.geomantics.com/

Terragen (landscape generation)
http://www.planetside.co.uk/terragen/

gmax (discreet's free game-oriented modeller)
http://www.discreet.com/products/gmax/

Sorry I didn't offer better descriptions, but you're usually better off just visiting the sites themselves and seeing if the programs interest you.

I would love to include Strata 3D Base, but apparently it no longer exists. Sad, it was a great way to learn the basics of 3D space/4 viewport modelling, and the basic tools most 3D apps use.

Brett

[Erik Heyninck]

Not for free, and rather specific. But if you're an architect, imo, a must have.
The free demo lasts for 8 hours of work time. Then you have to buy a license.


SKETCHUP

http://www.sketchup.com/

and look at the movie:

http://www.sketchup.com/training.php

[Gary David Bouton]

Technically, the textures are free, but you gotta give out your email address (so expect bargain update mail...hey, there's worse spam)

http://content.autofx.com/utc.asp


But the textures are really nice. And large.


My Best,

Gary_StopSendingMeStuff@Boutons.com

[weldorman]

I am currently using 3D Canvas.It is freeware with an upgrade price of about $70 US.It is the only 3D app. I have tried and does very good for my limited experience.Check it out here.

www.amabilis.com

Has anyone on this forum tried 3D Canvas and if so what are your thoughts on it?

Mike

[Erik Heyninck]

Thanks to Stu (aka Kiwi, who else?) I can add here that DigitMAg, November issue, comes with a free version of XFrog 3.2.
Unfortunately only for Windows users, but not to be missed, and with an interesting upgrade price to 3.5.
www.xfrog.com

Mac users get Pixels 3D 3.7 for free.
www.pixels3d.com

And you also get 7 hours of narrared video training for Photoshop6 (advanced?).

Sounds interesting, does it not?

[Mark (theKeeper)]

Hey Mike... that program you mentioned -- 3D Canvas -- looks like a great little app for those just getting into 3D graphics. It's got a lot of functionality for a FREE app. And... it looks very similar in design/useability to the bigger apps like Max & C4D.

My only gripe is that it doesn't have any "boolean" functions in it at that level. Which is too bad because they can be very important to learn about; especially earlier on.
But other than that...

I think i'd have to give a hearty 2-thumbs-up for that program.

"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"

[bmh216]

I'm not sure if you guys (and girls) are aware of this, but there are some professionals using Wings3D for modelling, for import into such biggies as Maya and Lightwave, for some pretty major projects. If you're just getting into modelling, you really should check it out. I have a bit of a problem getting the grasp of it, as I have spent alot of time learning Lightwave and any other way is hard for me to grasp, but I understand it's learning curve is not too steep for the uninitiated.

--Edit--
And hell, it's FREE.
--End Edit--

Brett

[arnold foss]

Might want to have a look at this one.

http://bakhter.com/html/main/amapi4.html

Arnold