What 3D modeling/rendering packages are you using?

Engines, Libraries and Tools Tools Discussion
#21

[quote]I’m actually just in the process of writing a tool to take MD2 models and convert them into sprites (isometric or overhead).

I’m using Java 3D to do this, so in theory it should support creating sprites from any of the user supported formats (read: Milkshape, 3DS, NWN, MD3, MD2, AC3D)

Good/Bad idea?
[/quote]
I think its a great idea, I thought of the same thing last year :slight_smile: but I dont do J3D.

3D
Lightwave 3D since 1995, version 4. I currently use 6.5 which finally has UV mapping
Its not used a lot in games, but Asherons Call 1 was done with LW, I think they have switched to Maya a few years ago.

Max, just a little.
Truespace, just a little.

My work flow was

  • Make a model in LW Modeler, UV map a texture to it.
  • Load into LW Layout (LW has two programs which are linked)
  • Save as VRML (because Max doesnt load LW and LW doesnt save Max)
  • Load VRML into Max
  • Merge points, make smoothing groups, (just a few minutes touch up for things that didnt convert well)
  • Save as .ASE
  • Load into our custom model viewer
  • Save in custom format

2D
Photoshop, this is what I use most for textures.
Painter which is great! Now that the newer versions have layers and P8 has a very Photoshop like interface its even better.

Both programs have tools I like so I sometimes switch back and forth.

Lightwave is a good “pro” tool and is the least expensive of the bunch. If you are a programmer who is a decent quality artist, you should get a good tool, LW or Max. If you are a desperate programmer who needs a model, then you may be better served by a less expensive tool since it will get less use. Save your money for that $500 .exe maker :wink:

#22

If anyone’s interested, I got the tool to convert models from J3D into sprites (isometric and overhead) working.

It currently supports making MD2, MD3 and AC3D models into sprites automagically. However, the interface to the models is pluggable so adding other formats its really quite simple.

Kev

#23

Yes Please ;D

#24

I’ll try and do something about making it presentable and post it on the newdawn website.

Kev

#25

Thanks Kev :slight_smile:

So you make clocks huh? www.newdawn.com

#26

So you make clocks huh? www.newdawn.com

I think if you look at his profile, you’ll see that his website is http://www.newdawnsoftware.com/

By the way, thanks for the post about the isometric renderings from 3d models Kev. I think it may have helped inspire my team to consider an “imposters-like” technique for implementing software rendering for our project. We’ll see if it comes to any fruition.

God bless,
-Toby Reyelts

#27

Cheers for that rreyelts :slight_smile:

#28

Yay, finally found the original post.

I’ve put what I have for the model2sprite tool up as a community project at java.net:

http://model2sprite.dev.java.net

I realise I posted this elsewhere, apologises for the cross post, but its nice to finish these things off… :slight_smile:

Kev

#29

Okay…
Since I’ve resolved myself to live a Linux lifestyle for awhile (with no net connection to reduce the distractions), I’ve decided to go with:
Blender (too controversial to ignore! hehe… and so far it’s not been so bad, it’s a bit confusing but I’m poor (hence no net connection)
Wings3D: Modeler, even has YafRAY output, which may end up being a better boon than I can imagine for the kind of stuff I want to do. I may just shelve blender for awhile and just do Wings3D. :slight_smile:
GIMP: Already somewhat familiar with this, but there seems to be a lack of a good seamless procedural tile-generator. Yeah, most “artists” scoff at the idea of using procedurals, but that really doesn’t concern me. I’m thinking that the apparent lack of this might mean there’s room for creating one, which might become my first Script-FU or standalone Linux application, no?
Now I just need Mojoworld for doing some static backgrounds (or Bryce), but it doesn’t run on Linux (no one bought the Linux version, says Doc). I suppose I should pick up Musgrave’s procedural book. :slight_smile:

Thanks for the advice!

-Shane

#30

There is a reason why most of us here should be interested in Blender3D…

Has any one explored the blender2java3d plugin yet?

yup object conversion to the xml Java3d format…:slight_smile:

I orginally started with Bryce/Poser/rayDream…but made the switch to Beldner3D --still in progress-- because fot he Java3D support an other features I needed

#31

Hi
I’m gonna throw in AC3D into the mix for modelers, seems nice and easy to use to me, there is a free version, but you can also register for some extra plugins and tech support. It will import and export in a number of other formats. There is also a java 3d loader for it in the resources section over at NewDawn software. I’m planning on porting it to whatever comes out of the ashes from java3d (or xith 3d if it takes too long).

Cheers

Endolf

#32

I’ve been doing some research on 3D modeling programs lately and this is the list I’ve come up with. I’m sure it is incompelete and you may can probably find better pricing on some of them. Opinions vary on all of them with everyone having different favorites. Most of them have free versions or demos and I suggest you try the ones you are interested in and find what’s right for you. Please feel free to add to this list. All prices are US dollars.

3D Modelers/Renderers:

XSI - http://www.softimage.com/home/ ($ not cheap)
3DMax - http://www.discreet.com/index-f.html (gMax: free, standard version: $3105)
Maya - http://www.alias.com (Learning Edition (non-commercial use): free, Complete: $1999, Unlimited $6999)
Rhino - http://www.cadsource.com.au/software/rhino-3d.htm ($1815)
Lightwave - http://www.newtek.com/ ($1595)
Cinema4D - http://www.maxon.net/ ($595)
TrueSpace - http://www.caligari.com/ ($595)
Animation: Master - http://www.hash.com/ ($299)
Poser - http://www.curiouslabs.com/ ($249)
Bryce - http://newgraphics.corel.com/products/bryce4.html ($ 79.99)
3D Canvas - http://www.amabilis.com/ (basic: Free, Plus: $34.95, Pro: $69.95)
AC3D - http://www.ac3d.org/ ($49.95)
Milkshape - http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/ ($25)
Art Of Illusion - http://www.artofillusion.org/ (free) - Written in Java
Blender - http://www.blender3d.com/ (free)
Wings3D - http://www.wings3d.com/ (free)

Other Tools:

UVMapper - http://www.uvmapper.com/ (Classic: Free, Pro: $49.95) - Does UVMapping for obj files.
Model2Sprite - https://model2sprite.dev.java.net/ (free) - Convert 3d models to sprites
PovRay - http://www.povray.org/ (free) - Ray tracer/renderer

#33

Free Java Tools Create & Render Models & let you create movies.

---- Created with Java3d with Sun’s VRML Loaders ----

[tr][td]
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/ani_finger_spelling_java3d.gif
[/td]
[td]
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/ani_ArmFlex_MayaJava3d.gif
[/td]
[td]
http://home.rochester.rr.com/javajava/Ani/ani_mars_robot_arm_java3d.gif
[/td] [/tr]

Sun’s Java3d Scenegraph Editor and free Java3d tools
------------------------------ from our Java.net
community and Sun’s VRML Loaders and Sun’s JMF
are important tools for creating 3d content,
rendering it in a browser, and creating ".mov"ies.

eg.:
https://mjbworld.dev.java.net

| Within Sun’s __ Java.net ___ developer community
|
| are __ Free 3d Editors __ to let you create VRML
|
| with Java3d so it can animated by your Java3d program
| in a browser without certificates, extra downloads,
| or the need for Webstart wrappers [ beyond Java3d ].
|
| | This is a tool for creating 3D
| | and physics animation content.
| |
| | For more information see:
| | http://www.martinb.com/
| |
https://mjbworld.dev.java.net/
|
|
| | 3D World Simulation
| |
| | This Program is a general purpose 3D editor
| | which allows you to create 3D worlds by graphically
| | selecting and dragging objects on the screen.
| | There are two versions of the program, …
| |
| | written in Java … [ and exports VRML ]
|
http://www.euclideanspace.com/
http://www.artofillusion.org/screenshots
http://aoi.sourceforge.net/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/aoi/
|
|

Java 3d Modeler Exports VRML

www.artofillusion.org
| |
| | Nice site, nice prog, still alpha,
| | but definitely worth a look.
| |
| |
| | * free,
| | * written in java,
| | * easy to use, 3d modeller,
| |
| | * vrml export function.
| |
| | what else could one ask for?
| |
|
http://www.web3d.org/www-vrml/hypermail/2001/04/0115.html
|
|
| | Translators allow Art of Illusion to read and write
| | scenes in foreign file formats. Translators are
| | Java classes which implement the Translator interface.
| |
| | At present, Art of Illusion is distributed with
| | a single Translator plugin which allows it to
| |
| | __ export ___ VRML ___ files.
| |
|
http://www.artofillusion.org/docs/pluginstut/index

Free 3D modelling programs:

|
| Art of Illusion is a free, open source
| =============== ----------------------
|

3D modelling and rendering studio.
It is written entirely in Java, and should be
usable on any Java Virtual Machine which is compatible
with JDK 1.1 or later.
The current version is 1.4, released February 15, 2003.
This version is both stable and powerful enough
to be used for serious, high end animation work.
Many of its capabilities rival those found in
commercial programs.
Some of the highlights include
subdivision surface based modelling tools,
skeleton based animation, and
a graphical language for designing procedural
textures and materials.

http://aoi.sourceforge.net/screenshots
http://aoi.sourceforge.net/index

3d Editor with VRML export: MJBWorld

| This Program is a general purpose 3D editor
| which allows you to create 3D worlds by graphically
| selecting and dragging objects on the screen.
|
http://www.martinb.com/

3d modelling … ways to represent solid objects:
* constructive solid geometry
* boundary representations
* spatial decomposition
Animation … how to animate the model:
----------
* Using physics to control movement
* Data Structures for 3D physics
* Collision detection
* Particle systems
* Keyframing
* Motion Capture
Games …
Human Animation
Rendering … how to display a 3D model on a 2D screen.

http://www.martinb.com/threed/index.htm

Sun’s Java3d Scenegraph Editor showing a Nasa VRML model

| uses the Sun VRML Loaders, source code available and is free.
|
http://java3d.netbeans.org/j3deditor intro.html
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/Nasa_3d_animation.html#Scenegraph_Editor
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/Nasa_3d_animation.html
|
http://groups.google.com/groups?threadm=3EBD7A3C.4000408%40rochester.rr.com&rnum=1

You can animate Web3d.org’s VRML Avatars in a browser
-------------------------------- with Java3d and VRML.
|
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/vrml_loaders_working.html

From Sun’s Site:

3D editor with physics, " mjbWorld " open source project

|
| The program allows a 3D scenegraph to be created
| and edited graphically.
|
| It is also a testbed for building physics models and games.
|
| Web Address:
|
| http://www.martinb.com
|
| [ notes: Free, open source, exports VRML, written in Java
| ]
| http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/3D/in_action/application.html

– Paul, Java Developer & Web Animator.

#34

Anim8or is a free Programm and can be found at http://www.anim8or.com it imports and exports a lot of formats.

For newbies and beginners its great, it has a clear interface a lot of tutorials and u can learn the basics of 3D modelling.

For professionals i recommend

Poser 4.x ( v5 is toooo bugggy at the moment )
3D Studio Max

#35

[quote]You forgot POV-Ray. That’s an unpardonable sin. :wink:

(For those of you unfamiliar with POV-Ray, it’s a free - source available - ray tracer that’s been around since the days of 286s and Compuserve. It produces some really great output and has tons of tools and features.)
[/quote]
You know what? I TOTALLY forgot about POV-Ray. It’s been about 6 years since I even looked at it. Thanks!