Posts: 11943
From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Registered: May 2005

posted August 20, 2007 11:43 PM         

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A free tool for you: http://www.sketchup.com/

I just discovered it. It's pretty easy to use.

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Posts: 2282
From:
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posted August 21, 2007 02:04 AM         

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Good find, thanks, will have to find a way to make it work on Linux.
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If you are taking a walk through the garden of life
What do you think you'd expect you would see?

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Posts: 1699
From: Canada
Registered: Dec 2006

posted August 21, 2007 10:34 AM         

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Ah Yes; I remmeber someone making an entire flight model using Google Sketchup for FlightSim.

Still a 3D studio X Max Junkie but this program seems great for beginners.

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posted August 22, 2007 05:00 PM         

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Thanks!

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Posts: 11943
From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Registered: May 2005

posted August 22, 2007 06:05 PM         

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I've been diligently reading up on this program, and while it is simple to get started, it's not necessarily just for "beginners." (Hence my reading to figure out the things I haven't been able to do that I want to do, and that I've seen done in their examples.) There are a lot of visual arts applications that this program can be used for.

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Posts: 1699
From: Canada
Registered: Dec 2006

posted August 22, 2007 06:45 PM         

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Oh Acoustic but it relitively can be descibed as a beginer's program if you were to compare it to other leading 3D rendering softwares.

Let me show you an example done with 3D studio x:

Notice the skin texturing and the environmental render details (not to mention the particle effects.) Its way out there. The new 3D Studio gives so much variety in terms of particle effects that its just too much to bear Lol!

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Posts: 11943
From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Registered: May 2005

posted August 22, 2007 08:38 PM         

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Yes, that's definitely true. Most people apparently take their Sketchup work out to other programs to do photorealistic rendering.

Sketchup is more of a means of creating and evolving an idea. For instance, I started designing a 3-D hanging (from the ceiling)
dresser for myself last night. Today my idea's evolved with some new ideas and considerations, and I'll be able to draw and
convey those with this program.

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Posts: 1699
From: Canada
Registered: Dec 2006

posted August 22, 2007 09:03 PM         

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Certainly looking forward to your renditions Acoustic . I have yet to show you the Concept Art pieces done by the Prince of Persia design team. Its absolutely breathtaking.

I just gotta search up the link Lol!

Edit: Here are a few:
http://www.ps3land.com/article-722.php

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Posts: 11943
From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Registered: May 2005

posted August 22, 2007 11:43 PM         

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Here's what I'm working on tonight:

The idea for this is an easy space to store my foldable clothes that would hang above my bed. On top I could store one of my
instruments. Of course, I do worry about materials, structural integrity, and the physics of the idea. The straps aren't to scale, and
would likely be decided upon during construction. I have ideas for latching the front up as well.

Hmmm...I'm looking at it now noting a few of my design flaws. I think I could work a good closure with the straps by adding
grommets to the straps, and having them hook on to something.

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Posts: 1699
From: Canada
Registered: Dec 2006

posted August 23, 2007 12:40 AM         

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Not bad, not bad at all . Hmmm, the swing door would really benifit with a few magnetic ends.

Now the front clamps don't seem that necessary to tell you the truth; How about installing a lock in it instead . Would doube as sort of a small deposit box for small valuables as well.

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Posts: 11943
From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Registered: May 2005

posted August 23, 2007 12:49 AM         

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Magnets would be cool.

It does have some pretty cool rendering styles:

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Posts: 1699
From: Canada
Registered: Dec 2006

posted August 23, 2007 11:14 PM         

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Gotta say this program surely kicks AutoCAD's keester; Love how you can switch it betwwen blue prints and 3D view.

Hmmm, just to liven the scene up a bit :

Let Xie's newly found skill show you the awesome power of 3D sutdio X Max. I think most of you ahve heard of Lara Croft, and I sure do know you guys know who Chef Ramsey is (If you don't... Man you need to watch Hell's Kitchen Lol!)

Combine the two concepts togather and Vola! Lara Croft: Kitchen Leader Lol!

Oh and here is a little Spoof ad poster done by an online firned of mines (John; aka dom1999 from devient art.) I swear it makes me laugh everytime I see it.

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Posts: 492
From: Ottawa / Toronto, Canada
Registered: Jul 2004

posted September 06, 2007 12:12 AM         

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hmmm....

3DS Max vs Maya??? which is better????
I like max since its easier to work with but maya is so much more powerfull.

Have you worked with zbrush?? Its a lot better then working with polygons..... instead your drawing the polygons on your mesh.

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Posts: 11943
From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
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posted September 06, 2007 02:18 AM         

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I don't think Xodian saw this in order to give a reply.

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posted September 06, 2007 02:21 AM         

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You cant compare 3DS Max and Maya. Both are good in it's own terms, but for an animator, Maya is the tool of choice, and for people who needs to work more on presentations and 3D effects, 3DS Max is the choice.

And personally - traditional 2D owns......

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Posts: 11943
From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Registered: May 2005

posted September 06, 2007 01:17 PM         

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Posts: 492
From: Ottawa / Toronto, Canada
Registered: Jul 2004

posted September 06, 2007 06:17 PM         

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For movies = Maya
For games = 3DS Max

but more games are starting to be made using maya.

But then again once you have your own modeling style, you're most likely to stick with it and it will work with most of the 3D Applications.

I've dabled with both programs, its also the rendering that makes the diffrence.

I rally wanted to throw the good old maya and max debate, see what your views are

Frankly i think its more of a religon then what program is actually better then the other.

I like how with Zbrush you can import your meshes from either maya or max and touch it up in Zbrush as long as you save it as .obj

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Posts: 1699
From: Canada
Registered: Dec 2006

posted September 06, 2007 11:17 PM         

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Sorry for the late reply guys; Xie has been swamped these days...

Start of the thried quarter here and already I am saying goodbye to so many of my cool co-workers . Greatest team I ever had the pleasure of working with.

Anyway, on the Maya vs. Max thing:

I have yet to try the skin wire meshing feature on Maya. Actually I have to really play with that program Lol! Haven't had a chance to fully explore its abilities. Will keep ya posted on that Benji.

So far Max's ploygon skin meshing has been quite alright. Just a killer on the ol hardrive though when switching around with different Pic formats.

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