Need help selecting a 3D modelling app

Hi guys,

I need some help selecting a 3D modelling app. I've decided that it's time for me to learn to model properly now. I've been playing around with various apps like Blender, ZBrush, 3DS Max R6 (a friend's machine), Rhino3D, Lightwave, trueSpace, etc but most of these are payware and i've only used the demos for fear of laying out some cash on an app that may not be best suited to my purposes.

I've created some usable meshes using Rhino and i've 'dabbled' with the rest. I'd like some suggestions on which one would be best suited for me to adopt as my tool for creating meshes. I will be building mostly architectural type meshes such as buildings, corridors, props, etc, a lot of which will have a sci-fi theme. I'm mostly interested in non-organic modelling.

I have quite a few ideas for modelling, and these should keep me busy from newbie all the way through to intermediate. I've been playing around with trueSpace 7.6 and although it looks really interesting I find it very hard to come to terms with the interface and icon approach they use.

I quite like the Rhino3D interface and I seemed to come to terms with the fundamentals quite quickly. I haven't really delved very deeply into it though as I have only created some fairly simple meshes like a stone and steel spike wall, a couple of swords and shields, etc.

Any help you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated.

UA

[evil_genius_180]

Wings 3D is another freeware program to consider. It's got a menu interface and it's a lot more simplistic a layout than Blender. It's a box modeler (start with a simple shape and change it to make a complex one) and that's the easiest modeling to start with. Some people even use it in combination with Blender.

Anim8or is another freeware program that's still a WIP, like Wings and Blender but I've seen some people make some nice meshes with it. If I remember right, it has more like a photo editing program-like layout to its interface, with a combination of buttons and menu commands.

Anywho, as far as what you should use, it's really up to you. It sounds like you've tried mostly everything and you need to decide what you really like and how much money (if any) you want to spend. Personally, I use trueSpace for mostly everything though I also have Wings and Blender (though I use Wings more, mostly for the mirroring tool) but it sounds like you're not a trueSpace fan. As far as easiness, it took me years to learn modeling in trueSpace (but that might just be me) but I've seen people pick up other programs like Wings in just a few days. Lord Ravensburg was one of those people who picked up Wings quickly and then eventually switched to Max, but a lot of people keep with Wings.

Also, just in case you pick a program without great rendering tools, Kerkythea is a freeware renderer that's very powerful. I know a guy that posts on some other forums who models and textures in Wings (which he also picked up very quickly) and renders in Kerkythea and he does some awesome work.

Thanks for your very comprehensive answer evil_genius!

I haven't tried Wings3D yet. I'm looking at their web site now. I have used the box modelling method in 3D Studio max before with some tutorials I found in a 3DS book and on the 'net. I've downloaded Anim8tor but I haven't given it a try yet either.

I'm not against spending cash on a modelling app that I can use and that has all the features I will need for modelling purposes. I'm just concerned about putting up the money and then finding that the application lacks in one or more areas. I can't afford tools like 3D Studio Max but the middle-of-the-range stuff so to speak is within my grasp.

I've been looking at Lightwave again and I think it's a good app for what I want to do and it seems pretty intuitive to use. I notice that a lot of people seem to use more than one app. I assume this is because certain tools in certain apps are better than other similar tools in other apps. Are there any shortcomings in Lightwave that I may encounter with the sort of modelling that I want to do?

I have downloaded and looked at Kerkythea for use with my Poser workflow. It seems to be a very interesting rendering engine and produces some great renders!

UA

[evil_genius_180]

I wish you luck in finding the right program for you. I got lucky back in the day I when I was trying (back in 2000) and there were less options, at least that I could find. I basically had heard of Lightwave and Max from special features on DVDs and whatnot and found them to be too expensive and then stumbled onto Caligari's website. I ordered trueSpace 2 (I got the cheapest one in case I didn't like it) and wound up really liking trueSpace.

Lightwave. You'll be happiest with it and start actually producing work faster.