You can get 3dsmax student versions for less than milkshape if you're lucky. And personally, I hate milkshape's guts after using max. So... clunky. I've tried Maya 6, 3ds Max 6, Milkshape 1.7.0, Lightwave somethingorother, Blender3D and Softimage XSI|EXP. So far, my favourite by FAR is Max, with Maya in a close (and significantly more expensive) second. Milkshape is good i guess, if you've never used anything else and won't miss the more advanced features you start to take for granted. XSI|EXP is confusing (and slow) as hell (10 minutes to start on a 3.8GHz system with 1024 MB RAM). Max can import OBJ with a plugin OBJ2MAX (free, google for a max 6 version). I don't remember much about lightwave, but in the right hands it can make some sweet models. Max w/ Brazil (NOT FRIGGIN CHEAP unless you get Rio) is your best bet for general modelling/rendering. Maya's really awesome too, but I didn't buy it since I couldn't get it for under $30. That's my software price limit. Blender is... unfriendly. It is, however, powerful and cross-platform. Unless you can get Max stable on Linux, Blender's a good alternative.
Best bets are Max and Maya, followed by Milkshape (if you don't mind the limitations, and only want to model for games, no renders).
I messed around with Max for about a week a long time ago at my friends, I actualy did get something modeled, just a fantasy sword. <a href='http://users.airax.net/filler/uploaded/necrosis.jpg' target='_blank'>not the best skinning ever, the blade kinda looks like stone, but i figured it was good</a>
I'm getting Lightwave from my sister, she's had it for a while (I don't know how she got it, so.. yeah :S), so thats why I asked.
no warex... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> i said nothing of warez <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->
i hear lightwave is pretty good i started with blender 3d then tried milkshap for about 30 min gave up on it then moved on to max and ive been using it since i even tried maya and thought that was pretty good i guess it just depends on which you like most
I tried Blender way back when... Didn't get a lot done with it, I was young and impatient... lol. I've tried Milkshape as well, but it was just, ugly. I don't know, didn't like the feel of it at all.
all of it was made in milkshape <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
i used to model in milkshape but ive started using 3ds max now, which i like alot better <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Maya has amazing capabilities in many areas. Booleans is just incredible in maya. Although it isn't perfect, there is no such thing as a perfect boolean.
<!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo--> someone move this to the subfourm?
milkshape is good for basics, but when it comes to more complex stuff, you can only use poly by poly modelling with it and thats pretty much what its good for. There's no boolean or chamfer or those fancy tools in it. I guess its preference, i prefer poly by poly modelling myself so i tend to use it a lot since its easier. (3d studio max doesnt work with my puter anyway D:)
Milkshape3D 3D Studio Max G-Max (3dsm lite) Autocad/Autodesk inventor Blender (cannont import or export anything useful) Cinema 4D (rendering)
I USE:
Milkshape3D for modelling 3DSM for rendering
Milkshape seems to be the best, and simplest modelling program that i've found. You can do everything from low detail to high detail. I know that it cannot render itself, nor can it support such items as nurbs surfaces or booleans and such, but it's still great.
its VERY VERY easy to use, i make all my models in it then export them over the 3ds max. i do that because rhino is a nurb modeling program but suports 3ds. and max just has better render modes.
i made an entire laser rifle once (full workings) within under 20 mins with this program. i swear it makes everything else look bloody hard. when i tried using maya and 3ds max i ha no clue what i was doing, with rhino i figured out everything in mins without touching the help button!
highly suggest this program.
ps. best part is when u goto export you can increase or decrease the polies in the model!!!! this means you can do like 2 million poly concept models then export them with 25000 (or if your insane, bring it down to 10) polies, and stilll keep the detail in most of the model!!!!!!
Comments
Milkshape (For its cool nifty ability to import OBJ files).
Maya PLE = FREE
Milkshpe = $30
Gmax = 3dsmac's free version (not worth it)
XSI 3.0 = free, but confusing
XSI 3.5 = free, designed for development of HL2... again, uber-confusing
no warex...
Yeah I tried that softimage thing, and I was so confused...
How about Lightwave?
Best bets are Max and Maya, followed by Milkshape (if you don't mind the limitations, and only want to model for games, no renders).
<a href='http://users.airax.net/filler/uploaded/necrosis.jpg' target='_blank'>not the best skinning ever, the blade kinda looks like stone, but i figured it was good</a>
I'm getting Lightwave from my sister, she's had it for a while (I don't know how she got it, so.. yeah :S), so thats why I asked.
no warex... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
i said nothing of warez <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->
i hear lightwave is pretty good i started with blender 3d then tried milkshap for about 30 min gave up on it then moved on to max and ive been using it since i even tried maya and thought that was pretty good i guess it just depends on which you like most
3d2 max
wings 3d - Great for Space sims! (i have like 30 models.....)
Lightwave\ dont use much
edit* mistake -.-
its, what $2500?
unless of course you get the student one
do you have to be a uni student or a school student?
Although, i need to upgrade to get em running again, my system is older than dirt, or at least the Bush Presediency
Milkshape3D
3D Studio Max
G-Max (3dsm lite)
Autocad/Autodesk inventor
Blender (cannont import or export anything useful)
Cinema 4D (rendering)
I USE:
Milkshape3D for modelling
3DSM for rendering
Milkshape seems to be the best, and simplest modelling program that i've found. You can do everything from low detail to high detail. I know that it cannot render itself, nor can it support such items as nurbs surfaces or booleans and such, but it's still great.
its VERY VERY easy to use, i make all my models in it then export them over the 3ds max. i do that because rhino is a nurb modeling program but suports 3ds. and max just has better render modes.
i made an entire laser rifle once (full workings) within under 20 mins with this program. i swear it makes everything else look bloody hard. when i tried using maya and 3ds max i ha no clue what i was doing, with rhino i figured out everything in mins without touching the help button!
highly suggest this program.
ps. best part is when u goto export you can increase or decrease the polies in the model!!!! this means you can do like 2 million poly concept models then export them with 25000 (or if your insane, bring it down to 10) polies, and stilll keep the detail in most of the model!!!!!!
<>silver falcon
i know the student versions of the newest max are a few hundred
but is it possible to get an older version of 3ds for under 50 (student version)
i wouldnt mind spending 50 for a great program, gmax is a bit limited