Hard Light Productions Forums

Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: MicroPsycho on January 05, 2005, 07:41:33 pm

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: MicroPsycho on January 05, 2005, 07:41:33 pm

I'm interested in learning how to model, I'm a quick learner but i need a place to start. What are some good, beginner level 3D modelling programs and/or good places to learn about modelling, without school/classes.

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: Grimloq on January 05, 2005, 07:53:51 pm

i always thought truespace was quite intuitive... most people hate it though, give it a chance, you might like it...

*runs*

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: Liberator on January 05, 2005, 07:55:28 pm

GET A BOOK!  GET THE BOOK!  GET THE BOOK!!
(if you don't get the Armageddon reference you're dense)

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: Black Wolf on January 05, 2005, 09:27:45 pm

Get the GMax tutorials, and a copy of 3DSMax. (GMax will work as well, but it's kind of complex getting the models out).

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: pyro-manic on January 06, 2005, 02:12:23 pm

Heheh. If you can afford 3DS Max then you're a lucky bugger. I've tried acquiring it, to no success...

I use GMax, and it's pretty easy. I tried Truespace once, and it was horrible. Couldn't make head or tail of it. Dreadful interface as well...

www.turbosquid.com/gmax for the download and the tutorial files. :)

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: Sandwich on January 07, 2005, 06:34:53 am

Yeah, GMax roxors ur boxors, or something like that. The only problem is getting models out of GMax, but if you're simply looking to learn how, then by all means. :)

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: Bobboau on January 07, 2005, 06:53:48 am

yeah, TS's interface...

OMGOMGWFT I have to use these weird colorful immages that represent there functions OMGOMGWTF it's like some sort of icon based interface that doesn't take up 3/4ths of the screen like 3DS, what ever shall be done! oh the horror!

diferent != bad :doubt:

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: aldo_14 on January 07, 2005, 07:12:36 am

TS is a confusing, garbled mess.  Maybe you can use it, but I can't.  I remember it taking me weeks to find out how to render a single sodding light flare.... not to mention that the control over the UV-ing is non-existent.  there's not even an event stack.  Is there even smoothgrouping, or face-grouping in TS?   Or a native UV-unwrapper to fine tune model uv?

 I picked up max from scratch, nowdays I can't even stand to open TS.  In fact, I think I deleted it altogether.  I can't think of it as anything but awful.

And of course, there's doubtless a reason why max is one of the most commonly wanted 'skills' I see when glancing at job ads.

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: Bobboau on January 07, 2005, 07:23:20 am

light flaires being a post procesing filter are in the post procesing group, two clicks. you can get to just about every feature in about two or three clicks and it takes up less than 10% of the screen.

smoothgrouping, there is an equivelent.

face-grouping, not native, you can get around it easily enough.

UV mapping is weak I'll give you that.

it's $400 max is $4000, that extra zero isn't worth it, TS isn't THAT bad, and it pisses me off when people start spazing out over it becase it is a _good_ interface, wich just happens to be totaly diferent than 3DS's.

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: Clave on January 07, 2005, 07:25:12 am

Lightwave is good....

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: Black Wolf on January 07, 2005, 10:13:13 am

Quote

Originally posted by Sandwich
Yeah, GMax roxors ur boxors, or something like that. The only problem is getting models out of GMax, but if you're simply looking to learn how, then by all means. :)

Actually, come to think of it, it's not so complex, since I just remembered Lithunwrap can open .md3s. To get models out of GMax and into FS2

1. Download and install the .md3 (Quake 3 model format ) exporter plugin for GMax.
2. Build your model in GMax.
3. Export model as an md3.
4. Open .md3 in Lithunwrap, UVMap your model.
5. Save the UVMapped model as a cob.
6. Convert Cob to pof with PCS.

Contrary to what I said before, it's really no more complex than getting a standard 3ds ot of Max, except you need to install a plugin.

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: redsniper on January 07, 2005, 04:31:15 pm

and gmax can render with Yafray. for free.

Title: Where do I start?
Post by: Sandwich on January 08, 2005, 05:02:59 am

Why no linky?