who could help me with this problem???????

[latewish a]

i dont know what software to buy that is the best in making 3d objects,and not animation,help me out.thankssssss :rolleyes:

[LWTB]

i know that Zbrush is a dang good modeler. Im not real familiar with many programs but i know that this program creates great images and models.

[Grub]

Zbrush is really good for organic modelling, infact I reckon It's THE prog to use, It's not too difficult to master either. For the price it's fantastic. Just look a the wonderful creations that this forum churns out, just about anything is possible with zbrush. (golly gosh I'm turning into an advert!!)

[WingedOne]

I'd have to agree with the above, however getting off of the ZBrush soapbox for a moment, two programs that seem to be good companion modelers for ZBrush are Amapi 5 which is included with the latest issue of "Digit" magazine if you can locate it somewhere. Another would be Blender which can be downloaded from http://www.pablosbrain.com/blender3d/ which is serving as an unofficial mirror site for blender while NaN gets their bankruptcy problems worked out.

[LWTB]

Is the Blender download the full version?
I have something for Blender that i got with Digit Mag but i can wait till the Digit with Amapi comes out in the US.

[WingedOne]

The downloads don't include Blender Publisher since that is the commercial version. The downloads are the freeware versions which are fine for modeling, Blender Publisher has the added cability of creating game executables.

[LWTB]

cool. Do you have any links for tutorials cause im alredy lost in the interface :)
I dont know where to start

[WingedOne]

Here are some to get you started:
http://vrotvrot.com/xoom/tutorials.html
http://members.yourlink.net/gruff/

Also, any object that you create in Blender, that you want to use in ZBrush, that is a non-mesh surface (nurbs, for example) need to be converted to a mesh first by selecting the object and pressing alt+c. Dupliverted objects would need to be converted by pressing ctrl+shft+a. You can then save the file as a DXF and I use Crossroads 3D to convert the file to a Wavefront .OBJ file. The reason I do this, is ZBrush has trouble reading in Blender .DXF files. Also when importing the *.OBJ file into ZBrush, make sure to have TXR button in the import menu turned to "off".

[Grub]

If you wanna create your own low poly models or customise models for popular games like halflife and quake, you could try Milkshape3d from Chumbalum soft, it's kind of like a basic version of 3d sudio max's modelling tools and its pretty cheap -I think its $20. Theres plenty of tutorials around for it too. You can download a 30 day working demo from their website, to see if it's your cup of tea. Heres the link:
milkshape 3d (http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/)

[Codexus]

I have a registered copy of Milkshape it's very nice but maybe comparing it with 3DS Max is a bit too much ;) Milkshape is fast and easy too use, but has only the most basic features. The user interface is totally "inspired" by 3DS Max though.

Due to financial problems of the company that makes Blender, it can't be downloaded at the time. Not from the official site, at least. There are probably mirrors. I don't know if that's legal though. Blender was free but I don't know if it was freely redistributable as that's a completely different thing.

[WingedOne]

Here's the paragraph from their license agreement. It looks like downloading from a mirror should be fine.

3. Permitted copying and electronic distribution of Software

You are hereby granted permission to copy and distribute the Software
without written agreement from NaN, only for non-commercial purposes.
Distributing the Software within a restricted non-public environment,
such as using a local network in a company or a local network of a
university, is considered a 'non-commercial purpose'. This entire
License Agreement must appear in and/or accompany all copies of the
Software.
Distributing the Software 'bundled' in with ANY product is considered
to be a 'commercial purpose'.

[LWTB]

thanks wingedone :)

[Codexus]

Thanks for the info, WingedOne. That's good news as it means we should be able to continue to download the current Blender version even if NaN never gets back on its feet.

[Ron Harris]

my question is why would you want to use another program to create 3d obj. ? Other than poser, what re you trying to create that cant be done easily in Z? Any examples of your work would be kewl to see, coz I am at a loss on this? or maybe I should ask you what hasnt been able to be created in Zbrush yet?

[WingedOne]

Here's an example of such an object that's a cinch to create in Blender, but would be more difficult in ZBrush. Also both Amapi and Blender have the ability to extrude along a Path and Blender has metaballs/metatubes and dupliverts. It just gives me more options when modeling. Of course, ZBrush might have some of these functions in future releases which means I would be able to depend less on external modelers should the need arise.

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1017876455pjl.jpg

[cameyo]

I think Rhino3D is beatiful program too.
Try a demo from www.Rhino3D.com (http://www.Rhino3D.com) (full functionality, only 25 "Save" limit).

cameyo

[upham]

Just slipping THIS (http://www.cgchannel.com/news.php?news_id=843) news in all quiet and slyly, like ... you know, just out of gossip's sake ... well a bit of news ... like? ... you know ... shhhhh!

Stick with ZBrush!!

Ya Silly-bunnies! :D

(help feed Ofer's 17 kids)

[WingedOne]

I'm not saying anyone should give up on ZBrush, cause I sure won't. I'm just suggesting a couple of programs that might be useful to supplement the available modeling tools in ZBrush. :)

[[EA]Krippler]

i think there is a big difference between zbrush and other 3d programs. i like zbrush for the final image but i use maya and max alot and i like that type of app for being able to move around in 3d space. zbrush is in a class of its own though

[Codexus]

Upham, yes the new Maya pricing makes it quite attractive. I wonder if others are going to lower their price too. Cause these new prices sound like a declaration of war. 3DS Max vs Maya?? We'll see... ;)

[WingedOne]

Well, Maya's still out of my price range. :rolleyes:

I don't have Windows 2000 or XP, so I can't play around with the Maya Personal Learning Edition either. ::boo hoo ::

vv No relation to my quote below, by the way. :)

[Nikko]

And don't forget about Lightwave (http://www.newtek.com/buynow/software/lightwave.html), priced rather attractively at $1595, a reduction of around $900. Gee, I wonder if SoftImage is next? Or maybe 3DS Max? Yeah, right :rolleyes:

But Zbrush is by FAR the best deal going, ever!

And also don't forget about Wings (http://www.wings3d.com/), a Nendo clone, for absolutely FREE. It would make a fine companion to Zbrush.

[Codexus]

You're right Lightwave seems very good. I didn't want to imply that it isn't one of the major players. I'm going to try the demo of all these and buy the one I like the most in a few months (unless as I fear, my taxes are going to be too high this year and I won't be able to do that :( Artist wannabes should be exempted from taxes ;) ).

As for Wings3D, it looks amazing. i'm going to give it a try right now. Thanks a lot for this link.