[_] 3D Packages
Richard Davey
rich at corephp.co.uk
Wed Aug 23 13:34:04 BST 2006
Pete Marshall wrote:
> I've finally got some time on my hands to expand on my skillset and am going
> to start doing some 3D and 3D animation work.
>
> Does anyone know what the main packages are that are used in industry, I'm
> mac based and at the moment am looking at Swift 3D which will integrate well
> with Flash and Lightwave which looks rock hard.
Are you just wanting to piss around a bit, or learn 3D seriously?
If the former, then sure play with Swift. If the later, you need a
proper industry app along the lines of Cinema 4D (which is gorgeous on
the Mac), Lightwave or Maya. None of which are cheap, but most of which
offer PLE editions. Or if you're a lucky git and qualify as a student,
very affordable educational licenses.
For real industry apps, play with Maya, or get a PC and start using 3DS
Max. They're both wildly different re: interface, but once you learn one
3D toolset you sort of get to grips with pretty much any package. IMHO
they're all quite overwhelming unless you've got a good pile of books
and weeks to dedicated to it.
Our 3D guys use 3DS Max and Maya exclusively, but really it's whatever
you find comfortable in use.
Cheers,
Rich
--
Zend Certified Engineer
http://www.corephp.co.uk - PHP Development Services
> I've finally got some time on my hands to expand on my skillset and am going
> to start doing some 3D and 3D animation work.
>
> Does anyone know what the main packages are that are used in industry, I'm
> mac based and at the moment am looking at Swift 3D which will integrate well
> with Flash and Lightwave which looks rock hard.
Are you just wanting to piss around a bit, or learn 3D seriously?
If the former, then sure play with Swift. If the later, you need a
proper industry app along the lines of Cinema 4D (which is gorgeous on
the Mac), Lightwave or Maya. None of which are cheap, but most of which
offer PLE editions. Or if you're a lucky git and qualify as a student,
very affordable educational licenses.
For real industry apps, play with Maya, or get a PC and start using 3DS
Max. They're both wildly different re: interface, but once you learn one
3D toolset you sort of get to grips with pretty much any package. IMHO
they're all quite overwhelming unless you've got a good pile of books
and weeks to dedicated to it.
Our 3D guys use 3DS Max and Maya exclusively, but really it's whatever
you find comfortable in use.
Cheers,
Rich
--
Zend Certified Engineer
http://www.corephp.co.uk - PHP Development Services