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Post by Mariner Class on May 5, 2005 23:55:35 GMT -5
What modeling programs do you use, and what would you recommend as a good all-around program? I'm thinking of trading in Milkshpe for something more advanced and actually saving up for it, but I'd like to know what would be the most bang for the buck in terms of user-friendliness and ability.
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Post by Wicked Zombie on May 9, 2005 2:06:22 GMT -5
I mainly use Lightwave, though the format needs to be converted into .3ds when I want to do the final mod file work. 3d Studio Max is the main program that most use, mainly because the export plugins only work with it and it's the only sure-fire program that handles hps, light maps, and brk models.
I personally don't like the complicated interface of 3ds and only use it for illumination, brk models, hps, etc. That's mostly a matter of personal taste though and I'm typically in the minority. Both programs are fairly expensive (even the student package ones), but for SFC modding's sake I'd suggest 3ds as you'd need it anyway for the final mod work.
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Post by Nathanius on Aug 25, 2008 5:31:16 GMT -5
I'm going to try and do an interiors model for the Tiburon class heavy destroyer, if it's any good i'll ask if i can release it at the time~
It most probably wont make it into any game, unless the new Nano FX game engine is as good as they say it will be and can mix interiors with exteriors, sorta like Elite Force 2 meets Bridge Commander.
Do you think Lightwave would suffice for this sort of modding? I'm planning to get the model of the whole ship, "deck" it and then split the model into the seperate decks so I can work from Deck 1 down. I would probably have to alter the appearance of the exterior of the model to keep it consistent inside and out, but that would be part of my bid for it's freedom if it gets that good.
Back to my original question, would Lightwave do the trick? Or would you reccomend 3D Studio max?
Thanks mate
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Post by Centurus on Aug 25, 2008 5:38:53 GMT -5
The answer is whichever program you find easier to work with.
Lightwave will do the job just as well as 3DS Max. Might do it better. Not sure since I've never used Lightwave, but Lightwave is a very good program, very powerful.
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Post by Nathanius on Aug 25, 2008 20:25:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice! I'm primarily going to report updates to how i'm going on this forum: www.nanofx.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=271If anyone's interested~ UPDATEPosted an update at the above link, included this image:
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Post by gotafarmyet on Jun 26, 2010 1:26:57 GMT -5
Think it is time to Dreadge up this old topic again. As it stands my old PC got a nice worm virus on it so all things I had to make textures and work on models died with it. Since I do have a Backup of most of it for ships I did, downloaded and parts of textures etc, that the virus did not get to, it is a simple matter of installing 2 new drives to get the XP system up and running again (well that and allot of reinstalling).
So, I experimented with GMax before the death of the Play PC and found the interface a PITA (Pain In The Arse) at best. It was designed for no simple or easy operation. Doing most things in required a manual that did not come with it, or a few hours on YouTube just to make a saucer. Pulling my own teeth out was more fun than this program. I releaize that I will be stuck with it for exporting models though no way around that as Lightwave and Max versions are way beyond the exporter.
So that means it is really either Max or LW for choices. Since Max and GMax are simular in the interface that makes Max alittle less on the list of wanting. Since it also costs twice as much it really dropped lower on the I want scale, just above paying taxes is its status.
So the questions are what can be done in LW: Model? Mapping? (Unwrap and wrap) Hard and damage Points? Break models? Exporting to the Game? (mod) Exporting to another Plateform? (Max, GMax) Ease of use interface?
Textures I still have PSP 8.0 + the 8.11 update and PSPP XII. Sad part is PSP 8x had a very easy to use program that had very little over or complicated interface. Corel took it and turned it into a dumbed down Photo editor to push their more premeire product corel draw at about 10x the price. So it means eventually a PS by for me since Corel killed a very good Product that JASA made and at only 10x the cost for allot of features I will probably never use. since they both cost about the same might as well go for the more Professional tool in the next purchase, which is PS.
Recap: Is LW a good buy when it come to making models and exporting them to games or other plateforms if need be?
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Post by Wicked Zombie on Jul 5, 2010 11:34:19 GMT -5
Lightwave, as a model program is what I stand by; mostly because I've been using it forever but also because it suits my preferences.
What most people find as the frustrating aspect of 3ds-Max is the jumbled menu and options; Lightwave avoids that by splitting the Modeler and Renderer into separate programs so you can focus more easily on the given tasks.
I don't have a lot of experience with the newer LWO versions, but they are capable of advanced UV mapping. Not sure how much things have changed but back in the older versions you needed separate textures for every part and could not easily combine them into multipart maps. Again, that may have changed with the more recent Lightwave.
For SFC's purposes, it has one key drawback in that it can't convert to mod format or do light maps and hardpoints, etc. You would likely need a file converter to turn the lwo file to 3ds or milkshape, and then use one of those to export to .mod. So, while 3ds gives you just one program to worry about, Lightwave gives you three. However, most of us modeler types already keep a converter around anyway so its not that big of an issue.
As for textures, I still use PSP 7 for essentially all my ships. I have Photoshop and Illustrator but aside from my "professional" work I haven't had much use for them. Most plugins for PS can work in PSP and since I have a low opinion already of software "updates" I don't see any real reason to use newer versions.
At any rate, it pretty much comes down to what works for you and your style and preferences. I myself prefer simple and direct software and don't like spending 20 minutes scouring the menu to figure out how to do a damned motion blur or point-weld. If at all possible, try demos and previews of various software to get a feel for which one fits you.
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Post by gotafarmyet on Jul 5, 2010 15:55:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the Reply
I have never used Lightwave or real copy of Max. I did use Milkshape quite a bit and really liked the simple interface, it has been the easiest one I have used so far. Since you mentioned UV Mapping does this mean you do not use LWO for your mapping?
Converts are not a issue as long as LWO outputs into one of the formats the other programs use I am fine there. I do see the issue you present about the need for 3 programs and having to do finishing work in one of the others, which means well I get easy of use in one section I have not removed all complications from creating a finished project.
So looks like I will have to try out the demos and see what fits best.
I do agree though I bought PSP 12 after Corel had aquired them and had a few years to improve them all they did was kill a good program them dumbed it down to a PhotoEditor and not even a good one at that. I actually wouod not suggest buying PSP past version 8.11 which is now unsupported by corel
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