3D Programs

bryanlaycock

bryanlaycock

bryanlaycock

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Joined
28 Feb 2007
Posts
479
Location
Newcastle
Im wanting to make a model of my case project, so i can get an idea at what it looks like. Ive tryed using google sketch free edition, but i cant put things on top of each other :( and i couldnt get rid of the black outlines arounnd shapes. I was just wondering whether thee are any other free programs that are any good
 
You can download Personal Learning Editions of Maya and I think there's a form of 3DS Max for free off the official websites. The only problem is I think you may get a watermark on any renders. Other than that have a look in newsagents at graphics magazines, the cover cds sometimes have trial versions of software.
 
FREE 128-MB USB Memory Stick with SolidWorks CAD First Aid Kit

128-MB USB Memory stick includes:
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LINK
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SolidWorks is a great for designing 3D projects. Order up that free flash drive or perhaps just download a trial from their web site.
 
Blender (www.blender.org) is free. I think there's a free version of "Houdini" too (apprentice edition or some such) (http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_download&task=apprentice&Itemid=89) As mentioned there's Maya PLE (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=7695485) and 3ds max Trial version (15 days) (http://nct.digitalriver.com/fulfill/0049.050). Maya sticks a watermark over your renders and they're limited in size too.

Think 3ds max is just limited in time, but not certain.

All 4 are pretty complicated, but simple enough once you get the basics ;) Loads of (free) video tutorials around on the net, teaching you such things. 3d-palace.com, 3dbuzz.com, simplymaya.com, simplymax.com.

I'm not a massive expert but I know my way around max and maya. I'll try to help where I can if you choose to go for one of those two :)
 
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I just downloaded blender *bcos its free* and OMG its so coplicated :(
I just want to make a model of my case :( il have a look for some tutorials, im guessing this is something i cant just learn in an hour :(
 
bryanlaycock said:
I just downloaded blender *bcos its free* and OMG its so coplicated :(
I just want to make a model of my case :( il have a look for some tutorials, im guessing this is something i cant just learn in an hour :(
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If you're having trouble with Sketchup then blender, maya, 3DsMax are gonna blow your mind ;)

IIRC to remove the black lines you use one of the fill buttons at the top of the viewport. You can switch between outlined, solid, transparent, wireframe etc.
 
I still don't understand blender. It seems totally different to the way max/maya work.
 
bryanlaycock said:
tthanks! :) how do i make a things stick out off my case, i can just get flat shapes in sketchup?
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Have you run thru the house building tutorial? That will show you how to create solids and extrude shapes out from the face etc.
 
bryanlaycock said:
ok ive found out how to make things stick out. Where can i find this tutorial?
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Err......not sure! Never actually used the google version of sketchup, had it in the office before the google take over, fully paid version. There must be some tutorial sites out there. Would look for you but i'm off the gym now......... :D
 
Well i tryed swiching off the edges, but then u couldnt tell if the bits were raised or not so ive decided to leave them on.

This is what i ended up with

Case3d.jpg
 
As to not start another thread, I've just downloaded 3ds max 9, But I can't work out how to make a shape from scratch. All I can see is how to put in predisngned shapes like cube, pyramid ect and manipulate them. Any tutorials for creating your own shapes?
 
I installed the 30-day trial of Modo a couple of months ago, and found it to be a great program. Very easy to adjust to (although I do have experience of other 3D software, which no doubt helps). Once you learn how to use one 3D program, the rest are generally pretty much the same.

As others have mentioned, Blender is free, but the last time I used it I found the interface to be somewhat lacking (it is completely different to other 3D programs).

AcidHell2 said:
Any tutorials for creating your own shapes?
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Sorry, I don't have any links for Max tutorials, but most 3D apps have an option to create points (vertices), which you can then join to form polygons. You can also import .eps files from Illustrator and edit them, and then extrude it into a 3-dimensional object.

Not PC-design related, but have a look at military-meshes.com for an idea of some of the stuff you can create with these programs, for instance there is an amazing model of an Apache helicopter on there!
 
While I have no answer to the original question, I did need some practice in Lightwave, and was also bored this evening.

case-renders.jpg


that case is HUGE
 
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ive done another drawing, this time to scale :) its replaced the pic in my previous post, but its not nearly as good as yours :( its an old server case im turning into a Super Water Cooled Rig
 
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