Thinking about Modeling, would like peoples opinions on software.
Daventaki
Posts: 1,624
I currently have Blender, yes I can learn this and have been working towards that. But I really would like other opinions on other modeling options. I have thought about picking up ZBrush, with the implemention of the dynamics and I have always been interested in the software but never been in a position to be able to afford it.
I would also like opinions on learning, I know this is relative to the person but I would like to know personal experiences. I am usually a fairly fast learner but I do still have to work full time.
I will say that I am more interested in current software that is being updated and supported. I know Daz3D offers other software but that they have not really been updated in awhile.
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Comments
I would start with Blender, just to see if it's something you want to pursue. Blender will allow you to do a lot more than modeling, so being familiar with its interface will pay off in other ways, as well. If you then find yourself wanting to take on more complex sculpting projects, you can always pick up Zbrush later, and be able to apply many of the things you learned in Blender. There's no cost to trying out ZbrushCoreMini, either, though.
The latest releases of Cinema 4D added volume modeling, which immensely simplifies things.
I think your software budget would be a big consideration for suggestions... modest- Blender, Hexagon, 3D Coat... Higher $$... ZBrush, Maya, Cinema4D, Modo...
Also what you enjoy creating is important too... Hard surface models, Vehicles, Architecture, Characters, Clothes, Animals, Clothes for Animals, Sets, Anthropomorphic fruits and vegetables... stuff like that.
Personally I use blender for most modelling, marvelous designer for detailed cloth stuff, and zbrush for the high detail refinement of models I make in blender. I haven't really had time to explore the new dynamics in zbrush yet.
Starts at $60/mo if you buy annually.
Blender has developed into a very mature and powerful tool with incredible tutorial support on YT. I highly recommend learning it, and you may find the learning turns out to be surprisingly painless. Also, it runs pretty well, even on less-than-optimal hardware.
I have a recommendation. Don't get SolidWorks.
I have a licensed copy and use it daily for work and have used it since 2006. If you want to do engineering stuff, it's great. For buildings for DS, and other solid manufactured items you might want to see in DS, it can be used, but only with a third party translator as SW and DS have no common file formats. I wrote an STLtoOBJ translator to get around this. Then there is the problem of texture mapping. STL is too simple for texture mapping. Need another program for this. You'd be correct in guessing that I have written a program to do this too - admittedly while it works, it's not easy.
Anyway, firm advice: Don't get SolidWorks. It's aimed at a different sector and it's utterly unsuited to modelling clothing and living material.
You probably weren't considering it, but it's good to know there are sound reasons for the decision.
Greetings,
I've had really good luck with Silo; it's super-lightweight, fast as hell, easy to use, and powerful enough. I'm a novice at modeling, though.
It's very modeling-focused, though. Rendering is only through an external renderer. It's commercial, but it's often on a Steam sale.
-- Morgan
Looks like learning Blender first is going to be the best way to go. I will keep ZBrush in mind for future or maybe Silo it looks pretty interesting. C4D @$60 a month or $3500 is a bit much for me at least while im not making any money off of anything. Probably should start texturing again to cover some of these expensive hobby cost lol.
Thank you to everyone that has replied!
it's all about the UI. try as many as you can and find the UI that works best for you. If I knew my way around Blender like I do in 3DSMax, I'd be creating sets like Stonemason, LOL (sadly my version of max doesn't work on win 10 and the price for a newer version sub is out of the question)
while I find my not updated DAZ owned program Carrara by far the easiest to model in, I understand the fears so Blender would be my recomendation too,
I am trying to learn it myself but it is nowhere near as straightforward for me.
I'd stop thinking about and start actually learning.
Start with Blender (it's free), and check out many of the free tutorials (not all are created equal).
I bought Zbrush a couple of years ago - and I hate it's interface. So any sculpting I do in Blender - it is very, very capable; it's a tool every bit as capable as many others - allowing for great results if said user has the skills.