Poll: Which 3d modeller should I get?

[beddo]

Hi All,

I want a decent 3d modeller. I'm not worried about animation at this point, just want a modeller. I want to be able to create the following for some game ideas I'm going to prototype:

1. Cel-shaded sub-d style character like in Team Fortress 2.

2. Realistic textured characters with normal maps applied.

So my choices are:

Silo 2.1 - Nice modeller, fantastic to work with, can create normal maps and sculpt but doesn't have the detailed sculpting of Zbrush or the ability to paint textures directly onto the model. [link]http://www.nevercenter.com/[/[link]

3D Coat - Similar to Zbrush, seems a bit cluttered and not too intuitive. Has sculpting and painting built in. [link]http://www.3dcoat.com/[/[link]

Hexagon 2.5 - Similar to 3D coat but imo has a cleaner interface. Though I'm not a big fan of Daz. [link]http://www.daz3d.com/i/software/hexagon?_m=d[/[link]

These are all $150 or less, don't really want to spend more so no mudbox or anything. Let me know what you think.

 

[WlknCntrdiction]

Why do you hate ZBrush? That's my first question, sometimes we may not like a program but it would improve your knowledge to learn it, I say the same of programming but seeing as it's unescapable I have no choice but strangely I enjoy coding now cause I actually gave it a chance.

The only one out of those I've heard of is Silo and I found that 3DS Max was superior so I no longer needed Silo and deleted it. Are we talking a budget here too? Cause I'm guessing you mean getting these programs legit(for those who haven't clocked on yet I downloaded these programs)in which cases I'm not sure what programs you can get with however much money you're willing to spend.

But thanks for giving me some more programs to try out, can't hurt to run them through their paces abit

EDIT: You said $150, my bad, not sure how much that is in GBP but is that the maximum you're willing to spend? How much more can you spend? I would say just download them but 1. I'll probably get banned for advertising an illegal activity and 2. You're not willing to "stoop" to my level to get what you want.

 

[kapzer]

You can get a student license for 3dsmax for a hundred bucks i think. So yea..the program's definately worth it.

 

[beddo]

Why do you hate ZBrush? That's my first question, sometimes we may not like a program but it would improve your knowledge to learn it, I say the same of programming but seeing as it's unescapable I have no choice but strangely I enjoy coding now cause I actually gave it a chance.

The only one out of those I've heard of is Silo and I found that 3DS Max was superior so I no longer needed Silo and deleted it. Are we talking a budget here too? Cause I'm guessing you mean getting these programs legit(for those who haven't clocked on yet I downloaded these programs)in which cases I'm not sure what programs you can get with however much money you're willing to spend.

But thanks for giving me some more programs to try out, can't hurt to run them through their paces abit

3DS Max modelling is horrible compared to Silo imo. Yes I'm talking about legitimately purchasing the software.

I don't know why people pirate 3d software, the almost always have learning editions that are perfectly capable and not very restrictive.

 

[WlknCntrdiction]

One word: Money. And I'm a student so I'm poor, I don't have any extra money to be "wasting" on 3D software, better to be free than not at all, this is my degree we're talking about after all, not going to have it jeapordised just because I can't afford the software, ridiculous. But piracy is not what this thread is about so back on topic.

I guess it's all personal preference really, I didn't not like Silo but I liked using 3DS Max more. And why don't you like ZBrush? You didn't(whether you intentionally didn't or just forgot to)answer that question.

 

[Erana]

One word: Money. And I'm a student so I'm poor, I don't have any extra money to be "wasting" on 3D software, better to be free than not at all, this is my degree we're talking about after all, not going to have it jeapordised just because I can't afford the software, ridiculous. But piracy is not what this thread is about so back on topic.

I'm a poor student too, so any of my 3d explorations are going to be in Blender. Last time I got a new game on my own behaf: 1.5 years ago.
Speaking of blender, I should actually try 3d modeling, at some point.

Hrm... Just a wild idea, but what if they made a 3d modeler for the Wii? With the SD cards, the Wiimotes, and the like, that could actually work!

 

[beddo]

One word: Money. And I'm a student so I'm poor, I don't have any extra money to be "wasting" on 3D software, better to be free than not at all, this is my degree we're talking about after all, not going to have it jeapordised just because I can't afford the software, ridiculous. But piracy is not what this thread is about so back on topic.

I guess it's all personal preference really, I didn't not like Silo but I liked using 3DS Max more. And why don't you like ZBrush? You didn't(whether you intentionally didn't or just forgot to)answer that question.

Maya and Max do Personal Learning Editions though no? I've just read they now own Softimage too. So Autodesk is now Maya, 3DS Max and XSI. i've got an old version of XSI foundation.

I might look into getting Blender, it seems quite good and is open-source.

Zbrush isn't great for primitive modelling. It also doesn't do UV seam setting or unwrapping. I did have it but the DRM became so annoying I complained got a refund from the company.

 

[TheBlackKnight]

Milkshape?

and regarding the xsi softimage tools. An acquaintance of mine is cursing @ the Half-Life 2 specific version for various reasons, including bitchy installation and bad performance.

 

[Jaythulhu]

3ds max and maya are the main industry modelling / animation apps, along with bryce for landscaping and abstract 3d art. Milkshake is great for learning the basics, and there are several older games that use its format for assets (dungeon siege being one I can remember off the top of my head. Max payne mods might have used it too, but don't quote me on that) but if you're looking at 3d as some kind of career, you're going to need to learn an industry standard app.

 

[theklng]

if you want to use ANYTHING you make in games, don't get zbrush or something similar. zbrush is extremely high poly modeling. so while it looks so much better than anything else because it's sculpted, it also means that it will exceed any game's limitations. if you want to start on something simple, get the XSI source SDK version. it's free and lets you start modeling. beware, for the road into modeling apps of the industry is a long and tedious one, and i wouldn't be surprised if you at one point start pulling hairs out of your head.

make sure you that check up on tutorials. nothing comes easy in the world of modeling.