3D Programs

[Risbinroch]

I had just learned how, or was learning how to use gmax when I found out that I could not export to a "normal" format. So I decided to go for another program, as I want to learn how to make my own units, and with the holiday and all, I have some time to spend too.

In my previous thread someone has mentioned Bryce and Milkshape. Milkshape cost only 20 dollars, but is it good enough?

What program should I go for, what is most similar to gmax, I tried pov-ray but didn't understand a thing, and didn't even bothered to either I guess, it was to different.

What programs do other creators use? I guess alot uses 3dstudio max, but that's quite expensive right? Is it possible to purchase an older version of that program then, since I guess you woulden't need the most up to date just to make some civ units?

 

[aaglo]

Hey,
I use pov-ray. I admit, the 'learning-curve' is quite long, and it still is quite basic prog to do anything spectacular (especially anything remotely to human is quite hard to do).
I once posted a pack of units I've done in pov-ray format... it's somewhere in this forum (I posted them around May/June 2003).

If you somehow lose your mind and want to try pov-ray, I can try to be of assistance.

Happy creating

 

[Risbinroch]

Thanks a lot aaglo, however, I think it will be a bit too much for me... Darn that the search is disabled... I will look for those units though, guess they are in the units forum?

But I am a big fan of your units, especially the ships and the planes, have you done all those in pov-ray too?

edit: with the search out, I just sorted by thread starter, and aaglo came up in the first page...

 

[aaglo]

Yes, everything I've done is made with pov-ray.

 

[Wyrmshadow]

Bryce5 is only $80 and I use that for animating. The learning curve for that is rediculouly shallow. The only poblem is that I don't use it to model any of my units, only animate. I use a 6 year old program called Truespace3 to do my custom modeling. I think they are up to version 6 by now.

 

[Risbinroch]

Is it possible to buy old versions of programs? I mean it shoulden't cost that much to buy a really old program, and I guess you wouldent need the most up to date program to make civ units...

 

[TheMorpheus]

I'm using OpenFX for design and amination. It's free and a good 3D tool.