Getting started in 3d

[mbugbee]

I am looking to get started in the 3D arena and have no clue where to start. What programs would you all recommend? Also any other tips you all can give would be great.

Matt

[Gary David Bouton]

Idiot Bouton here clicked on the wrong button to display an uploaded picture of Adobe Dimensions work.

Here 'tis.


Regards,
Gary@ GaryWorld.com

Gary David Bouton
www.boutons.com
Gary@GaryWorld.com
Visit a really large gallery at www.GaryWorld.com!

[Gary David Bouton]

Adobe Dimensions 3. $149 and very self explanatory. And EXCELLENT at making 3D text.

Gary David Bouton



Gary David Bouton
www.boutons.com
Gary@GaryWorld.com
Visit a really large gallery at www.GaryWorld.com!

[stlewis]

I've dabbled - with a Corel product some time ago, and Poser (for people) more recently.

Poser is easy to use at a basic level, but my conclusion is that 3d is exponentially harder and more time consuming than 2d.

Now perhaps someone can give a more optimistic view!

www.thelondonhouse.co.uk

[mbugbee]

I am looking to get started in the 3D arena and have no clue where to start. What programs would you all recommend? Also any other tips you all can give would be great.

Matt

[Mark (theKeeper)]

Hi guys...

Earl, great reply. Lots of good info there.

Thomas, also a very smart thing to take note of. I agree with you about being specific in one's choice of programs.


Just a few other notes i'd like to add for mbugbee's sake...

I've tried more than a few 3D apps over the last few years - Truespace/3DS Max/Bryce/Poser/C4D... When i found C4D, i was immediately sold on one specific thing: how easy it was to understand and use the GUI (graphic user interface), compared to the others i'd tried. As a beginner to 3D, that was important to "me", but may not be to others - i only got a C+ in math! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

C4D, as Earl noted, IS becoming quite popular now. But more importantly i think is that Maxon (creators) also provide different "levels" of their program, depending on how seriously and quickly you want to jump into 3D imaging (which i haven't seen any other company do, yet).
I suggest you checkout their site and explore the 3 'levels' for yourself to see which, if any, would suit your needs at this time.

PS: i'm not trying to appear partial to C4D, just providing more info on it. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[randyrives]

Not wanting this to become a Cinema 4D forum, but I must say I too like C4D. I have tried TrueSpace, Strata, Blender AnimationMaster in my few months of 3D experience.

C4D is more stable and easier than all the rest. It is lacking in character animation tools, but I think this is being addressed via plugin's. It lacks a few modeling tools that I have found useful in other apps. So I am doing a lot of modeling in Rhino. Rhino is a great modeler, if modeling is your only goal then you may want to check it out.

But mostly get a 3D package learn it and enjoy!

--Randy

[Mark (theKeeper)]

Ya you're right there about Adobe Dimensions Gary. I forgot all about that one. I used it a few years back, and i agree - it's a good 'starter' program for sure. Easy to use, easy to learn from.

Onward'n'Upward!
Mark...

[Turan]

While it often crashes I have used Corel7 Dream3d which I take it is Ray Dream by another name.

Earl said it is not made any more - but I see Ray Dream is still being sold (v5 in UK presses PC PRO, this month).

Anyone got any news on it? I know the interface (and hate to learn a new one) so would like to know the story.

Turan

[Thomas.Sorrill]

I think what you also need to do is to consider what "area" of 3D you want to focus on first. Poser and Bryce are fundamentally different products used to create very different works.

Do you want to focus on landscape work, models/figures, machinery/engines/technical. They each have different products attached to them.

T