[Bobboau]

I consiter 9 hours start-finish _complete_ for geometry allone to be a good time, it can take me weeks some times to get a model done, though my better models tend to be less than 12 hours.

UV mapping is something I still hate to do, it tends to be my big bottle neck, textures can take a month, though a week is more common, and there is always a settleing time were minor details are buffed, that can take years.

[Raven2001]

In sum, the time you spend on it, depends on the model itself, and of course, the time you are willing to take to refine and fine tune your model

[Nuke]

good models take time. the htl ragnarok in nukemod took me 6 weeks straight. and i was really into it. of course that went from nothing to fully textured. then the htl phoenix probibly took no more than 3 days, including textures. i admit learning max has shaved off my modeling time, even so im not really that fast. i think the pros are expected to model 2 or 3 complete models a day textured. master the technique first then worry about speed later.

[Raven2001]

I dont think the pros are expected to be THAT fast... in fact I think about 3\4 days per model (on a professional) is a rather average speed... otherwise think of it like this:

IF they were expected to pump 2\3 models a day, and that more often than not are multiple modelers working on the same project, those modelers would find themselves unemployed in a week

Also, dont forget that in most situations youll have the tasks more divided: modelers, texturers, concept artists, etc... everyone of those knows the trade of the other 2, but he isnt as fast\good as the other 2 in their respective areas

[TrenchardsLoveSock]

Also, I'm currently working on a tutorial that will build, texture, convert and complete a ship starting in Blender, so that should help with this sorta thing.

VA that is probably the best news I have read on here since I found a handy guide for getting the SCP working without an installer!!

I tried Blender and gave up as I was punching outside of my weight.  Now I have started my first model in TS3.2 I can see how much better (but harder to crack) Blender is.

How about a Blender based sticky where you can pimp the program and save us cluttering the forums with continuous cries for help?

[Topgun]

Also, I'm currently working on a tutorial that will build, texture, convert and complete a ship starting in Blender, so that should help with this sorta thing.

VA that is probably the best news I have read on here since I found a handy guide for getting the SCP working without an installer!!

I tried Blender and gave up as I was punching outside of my weight.  Now I have started my first model in TS3.2 I can see how much better (but harder to crack) Blender is.

How about a Blender based sticky where you can pimp the program and save us cluttering the forums with continuous cries for help?

you should ask one of the mods.
that is a great idea since blender is the most powerful, free model app (in my opinion).

[Raven2001]

That sort of stuff should go into the wikki perhaps? Sounds more logical, since HLP is not about pimping software other than FS

[bizzybody]

I found gmax here http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax with direct links to the files so download managers like GetRight will work.

Learning how to model takes time and just doing stuff in a 3D program. I've seen some amazing stuff done with trueSpace 3.2 on many sites. See the forums at http://www.scifi-meshes.com for some examples, as well as models done in many other 3D apps.

With trueSpace 7.x out, It'd be nice if Caligari would release 4.3 for free as it's much more powerful and has more tools that make modeling much easier. IIRC, 4.2 or 4.3 had the Lightworks rendering engine, which may be what's preventing a free release. T'was cool when trueSpace had Lightworks included, for LESS than what the engine cost as an add-on for Lightwave. The only real problem with tS 4.x is it makes a total mess of any procedural textures created with older versions.

[Vasudan Admiral]

Learning how to model takes time and just doing stuff in a 3D program. I've seen some amazing stuff done with trueSpace 3.2 on many sites. See the forums at http://www.scifi-meshes.com for some examples, as well as models done in many other 3D apps.

You know, this TS challenge thing I issued ages ago is still open.

As for the tut, the wiki-way is the plan currently, though there will be a thread in modding and hopefully a news post, since I want as many of the almost-modelers we seem to have quite a few of now to at least give it a go to see where it needs improving or re-writing etc.

Another advantage is that if more experienced blender users do eventually come along and spot something that I'm making unnessecarily difficult, they can fix it.

[Getter Robo G]

You can't get GMAX codes anymore (via activation link, but if I am wrong please correct me, and send me the REAL link so I can activate mine!). Websites should take it down cause it's misleading to DL a program you can't activate without "questionable help", ie someone else's code.

I got mine off Turbo Squid 6 months ago.

I waited too long and now Free Version is pulled by autodesk.

[jr2]

http://hosted.filefront.com/jr2/1927020
Look at the text file there for registration links; I also have the programs there.

[Grizzly]

You know, the best thing to speed things up is to keep practising.

[Raven2001]

And also be informed

[jr2]

Getter, did the link I posted work for you?