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Well, we're kind of jacking the OP's thread here guys, but I'm still waiting for video tutorials to come with an interactive index so I can search, locate and access specific parts as needed. So far, only text offers me that.
If you just need modeling Hexagon was last updated years ago, these forms attest to the fact it's unstalbe for many Mac and Windows (XP to current) users.
Blenders last update was six weeks ago, RC3 for next version came out Monday
Hexagon $19.95
Blender: $0.00
If you just need sculpting Zbrush last update Jan 29 2015
Commercial license starts at about $372.00 and goes to $650.00
Blender: $.0.00
if you just need UV Mapping
UVMapper $59.00 last updated 2011
Blender $0.00
I know the "Blender interface is too complicated" complaint, and while there is some truth to it being complicated there is no truth to it (IMHO) of being deliberately confusing. It's complexity lies in the fact the product is seriously versatile and it's not uncommon to see some functionality for one aspect of the program to be able to use tools in another (using animation timeline to make a bedsheet fall on a bed and baking the most suitable outcome for the static model for instance, or using the particle system to make a field of grass, etc.) Blender can be overwhelming but it can be learned by a massive amount of resources available on the web that are mostly free.
..and the whole Blender vs Hex argument? Hexagon may be a descent modeling problem but it's toolset is begging for an update to get it on track with software that has in the least seen an upgrade 3 years ago, Hex has not. I'm not bashing hex, it was the modeler I first tried to get used to but it's instability in Mac and Windows was the nail in the coffin.
Carrara is generally $60 on sale, and does modeling/sculpting and some uv mapping.
It's also astronomically easier to pick up and use.
Hex works for me(though I had that crash phase too initially). Silo also works. I really appreicate UVMapper Pro as well. Still haven't gotten around to sculpting much, so haven't had much need for a tool in that area(if I had more time...).
While Blender is free, I don't mind spending a few bucks to have software that I enjoy using. Or for software that is intitive and quick to pick up. A big part of the creative process can be stiffled and sucked away by software or UI you don't like. I totally understand that people like blender, but blender-enthusiast tend not to understand why it's a major no-go for some people. Even if we are patient, skilled in dozens of software packages, have years of art experience and have tried blender half a dozen times over the years. For some of us it's effectively off limits.
Money is only one piece of the equation. And some would argue dedicated tools that focus on particular areas are better than swiss army knives(while admitting swiss army knives are neato). I only do a few things in UVMapper pro, but was well worth the price. I was also able to get it to do what I wanted on the first try in less than 5 minutes. That's awesome. Worth some coin.
We only have so much time to be creative, so while learning is part of the process sometimes it makes sense to get stuff done with less hurdles.
And for me, I don't mind having different tools for different tasks. It's not unlike how traditional artists or craftsmen would work...Whatever works for you. End result is all that matters to observers. Tools only matter to the user.
I only see the one price of $795.00 for first purchase on ZBrush; where are you getting your prices? Also, Patch 3 was in March of 2015.
prices provided by shop.google.com, update date courtesy of the good people at Wikipedia so my bad for trusting that thing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZBrush
Wikipedia! It's like an encyclopedia written by a bunch of people arguing and misinforming everyone at the same time!
So will we see a hex update one day? I own it, but it's too instable for me in it's current form and it deserves better.
I'd also like to put in a plug for Blender. For years I'd open it up, and quickly x out of it, but now that I've learned it, I really love it. IMHO the modelling and UV toolsets are superior to those of a certain commercially-available package costing $4500.
As far as learning, I really enjoyed this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Blender-Dummies-Jason-van-Gumster/dp/1119039533/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445216983&sr=8-1&keywords=blender+for+dummies
I don't think you could expect to open up Blender and learn it well by just tinkering...some basic instruction to begin with would go a long way. Here might be a good place to start:
https://cgcookie.com/course/blender-basics/
I do think with relatively few hours of learning and practice you could learn all the basic modelling tools--there are only a handful of them, like less than 10. It is not voodoo magic, and you don't have to be any kind of brilliant...anybody can learn it.
Anyway, just my $.02, and I'll get off my soapbox now :)
There is no way you could learn blender without spending time with tutorials and a to spend a few hours or a few days to get the concept of the interface is not unreasonable. Even the blender wiki is clear about trying to figure it out by looking at it will probably get you nowhere; however the wealth of free resources for Blender is unprecedented. Once you get those basic concepts down you have a set of modeling tools that far surpassed my expectations of what comes with free software, I've considered packages costing 100's of dollars that still don't do what Blender does out of the box.
I still can't figure out how to get Blender to remap UVs and am contemplating spending $60 on a program that ONLY remaps UV maps. Meh.
Blender is king of the free ones (and in many ways it even beats out paid ones)...but as been said, it's not everyone's cup of tea.
Other free ones...
Wings3D has been mentioned.
There also
K3D: http://www.k-3d.org/node/1
Ayam: http://ayam.sourceforge.net/
Art of Illusion: http://www.artofillusion.org/index
In the low cost category...
AC3D: http://www.inivis.com/index.html (comes with a 14 day trial)
what are you remapping? There are a number of possible explanations to what you're trying to do but I'm not sure what it is exactly before I venture an answer.
Well, for example, I used Carrara to make a pyramid. The UV map Carrara generated is complete garble. I might want a simple overhead flat projection. Or maybe a spherical projection.
I attempted to set those uv maps with Blender, but it didn't seem to 'stick' when I saved it as obj.
what format did you export out of Carrara and can you post the model or screen shot?
If we take Carrara out of the picture for a moment; make the model in blender then switch to overhead othographic view (7KEY, 5KEY), then select the model (AKEY), then UVMap (UKEY>from project view) then open the UVMap "room" you should see something like this:
Thanks for the willingness to help, but I'll stop wasting your time. ;) I have no idea how to make anything in Blender.
I cursed at my computer for a month like a sailor raised by rats when I started with Blender. Now, now I love it, so if you change you mind and want some help I think those of us who started to see this thing as something really amazing have no problem sharing whatever knowledge we can with the community.
I liike the ease of getting Hex to and from Daz, and for creating morphs.
I love Blender, and just wish it was easier to get times to and from it; I know it can't be that hard, but I've not figured it out yet. And time isn't the most common commodity; that and cash /nod
http://www.ppmodeler.com/index.php
http://www.anim8or.com/
http://www.artofillusion.org/
http://cb-model-pro.de.softonic.com/
http://www.kurtz-fernhout.com/PlantStudio/index.htm
http://khed.glsl.ru/
http://www.metaseq.net/en/download.html
http://ngplant.sourceforge.net/
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?90617-A-Gift-From-Pixologic
http://www.shapemagic.com/
http://www.shapeshop3d.com/download.html
http://voidworld.cmcproductions.co.uk/index.php?topic=1320.0
http://www.wings3d.com/
William, modeling and uv mapping are basically the same in most 3d modeling software. The tools may be a little different, but still very similar. Darryl Lile has some great tutorials including basics and a good one on uv mapping different types of things. Spend some time with these:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyu4kn_ROhA34jug2g_AwJA
Well modelling is something that i really want to learn. I have sculptris and really really like it BUT I am not sure how well models will transfer and have no idea if it has uv mapping since I am just learing it. But its super easy to actually model in. I have blender as well and have pretty much opened it, looked at it and closed it. It is really and truly gibberish for me. I probably won't stop trying as I am glutten for punishment and sometimes, just too stubborn for my own good lol. but for now, I just don't have the time or the mental energy to be THAT frustrated with software. I just picked up Hexagon since its on sale for $11.95 mostly because it seems like the ease of transference to and from Daz is a good fit. Now if I could just find the time to DO something in it lol.
CG Cookie have some great free tutorials for Blender.
My advice; sit down and watch a few basic turorials with a pen and paper, and make a note of the shortcuts. shortcuts make modelling easier as one hand can be on the mouse, and the other doing the shortcuts. Some don't like em true, but it's worth finding out which you are. It does take a day or two to get the handle on the UI and shortcuts. worth it though.
Sculptris is a sculpting package, not a traditional modeling tool. Hexagon, Blender have traditional modelling tools. Worth keeping that in mind. Hexagon is good once you lean how to not crash it, it has its quirks but works nicely with daz. If you want to make morphs for clothes and hair I think Hexagon is the quickest way because of the bridge. If you want to model from scratch, it may be worth picking up another tool. Though I have used hexagon for years, and will continue for morphs, I have slowly been getting comfortable with Silo.
Beginner's tut - very easy to follow and shows you the relevant buttons to click:
http://kethaera.deviantart.com/art/Hexagon-Beginner-s-Tut-Part-1-128942202
http://kethaera.deviantart.com/art/Hexagon-Beginner-s-Tut-Part-2-128952991
http://kethaera.deviantart.com/art/Hexagon-Beginner-s-Tut-Part-3-128961275
and these:
http://lelu.deviantart.com/gallery/5537994/Hexagaon-Tutorials
Blender has some serious sculpting abilities
that is true, I wasn't taking that away from the package. Just pointing out Blender did have traditional modeling tools, which IMO are still the starting point for much of daz work. I don't think you realistically can start something in Sculptris and it be more than a prop in daz studio unless you really just want to go against the grain. With blender you could start with the basic shape, then use sculpting if you wanted to.
I know about as much about Blender as I do with Photoshop (translation: the cloning tool, the fill bucket and a handful of filters or $1.06 worth of it), it does a tremendous amount of stuff that a) I will never use or b) I have no a clue what it does.
Nothing wrong with that! As long as you can use it for what you want to use it for that's what matters. There are a billion things in PS I never use too, but I feel like I'm an expert of how I use photoshop :)