I use this on my mac i have had alot of fun messing with 3D graphics for Uni. The physics engine occupies me for hours alone (excluding rendering time 
)
I tried that, but I found I had no clue how to do anything with it, so in the end I was just using it to view 3D models and nothing else. However, that's not the program's fault but mine, for not really knowing how to use 3D graphics programs. Anybody know of any good tutorials?
Try: www.Gnomonworkshop.com / www.3dbuzz.com / www.lynda.com / www.vtc.com / www.digitaltutors.com
Some of this training is free - some is not, but it is a hell of a lot cheaper than the so-called official courses in and around the main cities that charge £700-£900 per 3 day course.
Keen.
Tho i think i'll stick with Alias Studiotools 
It's what i know how to use best, just need to find some decent inspiration to make something!
Just had a flick thought my hard drive for some of the stuff i made while bored. I never used any 3D modeling software prior to this, it took about a month and a half of serious messing and countless tutorials and rubbish toolbox type projects before i attempted anything serious.
I found it rather fun to see what things i could create (and demoralizing to see the things others where doing ) but i was rather shocked to see the time it takes to render even the most simplest of projects, even on the lowest quality and physics settings 
High resolution water physics - took a few hours to set up, several hours to bake the animation and almost a days worth of heavy processing (on a duel core 2.8 processor to get this movie.
Slow motion bullet time - This was less complicated or lengthy to render but took more time building and creating the objects in the actual scene. It is unfinished i give up with this one and was satisfied with the enjoyment i got out of it. If i had have been any longer on this one i would have exploded my head B-)
It makes you wonder, does it not, what a marvellous business opportunity awaits one who might accelerate the process...?
Please fight My Brute: http://2hero.mybrute.com
Mission Architect 54161 - Michael Mundano, Megan Malloney and the Secret Senate.
Mission Architect 91838 - Constantinople Jones' Family Secret. A One Mission Story arc.
You do realize anything on the internet can be obtained for free right? I havn't tried 3D modelling personally, but i do work in photoshop.
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You do realize anything on the internet can be obtained for free right? I havn't tried 3D modelling personally, but i do work in photoshop.
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Yeah, i don't think piracy actually would count as being free. It's still stealing.
And believe me you really don't want to go advertising you get away with pirating something like 3D Studio Max, I believe AutoDesk currently runs an anti-piracy initiative to grass Illegal users up for rewards of up to $26,000.
Of course Its their own fault because the outragious price they charge for an official copy of 3d Studio Max is criminal in itself, (and they only get away with it because it is established as an Industry standard).
i played around with SL for a while and got some very good results modelling. how would this compare to the engines you are describing ?
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And believe me you really don't want to go advertising you get away with pirating something like 3D Studio Max, I believe AutoDesk currently runs an anti-piracy initiative to grass Illegal users up for rewards of up to $26,000.
Of course Its their own fault because the outragious price they charge for an official copy of 3d Studio Max is criminal in itself, (and they only get away with it because it is established as an Industry standard).
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I never advertised i did anything, just suggesting.
SL? - I'm not sure what you mean by me describing engines? -The industry standards (if you go into something like game development or 3D design) are 3D Studio Max for models, enviroments, and animation - and Maya for models as well but more-so for animation, and certain other packages to a lesser extent.
Although like vector drawing programmes and to a certain extent bitmap programs - once you know the fundamentals of 3D design the major stumbling block to other 3D packages is variations on the User Interface.
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...once you know the fundamentals of 3D design the major stumbling block to other 3D packages is variations on the User Interface.
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This.
When studying for my 3D modelling and animation diploma, using Max R3 was easy (back then) but switching to Blender was just like hitting my head on against a brick wall.
I really want to give Z-Brush a go though. The licence is decent to afford and the "paint-on-models" approach seems like fun!
Like using Photoshop to Fireworks (: Although AFAIK blenders got a rather unique layout in terms of dynamic windows (that change with selection/menu/positioning etc) but i cant vouch for that since i haven't tired anything else.
Alias Studiotools with all the options i got runs normally for like 20000.
I for it for 200 while i was a student.
Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite: www.blender.org
It may not be Industry standard (honours go to 3d Studio Max and Maya for that), but it is capable and a good free alternative.
Links to training on the homepage.
Gallery(check out the Capt.America model) / Animation.
Download: Here