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3d modeling, which program?
yoippari \| 12/10/2003 @021 \| edit post

My goal is to design functional machines. I know that autodesk inventor does moving parts (and is taught at my school), but it appears to be more expensive than other modeling programs. I also would like to buy locally if possible, so if you know of any chain stores in the north west that carry these programs it would be helpful. Oh ya, by north west I mean Oregon and Washington, or more preferably in or around the Willamette valley.

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
SRhyse \| 12/10/2003 @055 \| edit post

Well, there's a vast number of 3d modeling programs that can be 'acquired' very easily if you know where to look.

I'd recomend the modeler of Lightwave 3d. Slightly harder to learn than 3d Studio Max or Maya, both of which are great as well, but overall you have alot more control over what your doing.

**Does Autodesk actually test to see if the physics of anything modeled will actually work, or is it just a basic 3d modeling program?

[Message edited on 12/10 @056]

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
yoippari \| 12/10/2003 @079 \| edit post

all i really know about physics in inventor is that i saw someone click a little red button on his model and gears started moving.

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
marcia \| 12/10/2003 @120 \| edit post

If you want to do machine parts, don't go with LightWave; its strength is more in organic modeling because it makes heavy use of SDS (subdivision surfaces) and splines. For your purposes, you'd be better off sticking with a CAD-type modeler that uses NURBS and polygons and has tools designed for great accuracy. If you're looking to buy something off the shelf, you might check out TURBO CAD. A friend of mine who's an architect thinks it's wonderful, and there's a beginners version that sells for not much over $100 (I think). Later, as you get better at it, or start working on commercial projects, you can buy the big brother version for somewhere around $1,000.

Also, if you're in school, you might want to look into educational pricing on AutoCAD or whatever they teach there. Software companies often offer steep discounts to students. Check with your campus bookstore or a professor in the department that teaches CAD classes.

Maya, 3DSMax, LightWave, etc. are all popular high-end 3D packages and excellent tools for the jobs they're designed for, which is game creation, motion picture sfx, artistic work, etc., but are much weaker in precision modeling (although they are also good for industrial design project, like prototype car bodies, etc). Also, they range in price from $1,500 - $7,000, which sounds like more than you want to pay.

[Message edited on 12/10 @122]

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
K4NN4B15 \| 12/10/2003 @216 \| edit post

what marica said

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
SRhyse \| 12/10/2003 @299 \| edit post

I say you get all of them and try them out, then go out and buy whatever one you like best.

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
HeebieJeebies \| 12/10/2003 @337 \| edit post

As far as im concerned,Maya and softimage have the most capable rigid body dynamics.. but they are quite expensive.Maya unlimited retailing at $6000 not sure about softimage.
Instead if would suggest finding some stand alone rigid body simulator coupled with some 3d modeler and you wont break your bank a/c.

But i wouldnt suggest using pirated software,as some have suggested on this thread.I suppose for learning/trying purposes but i wouldnt do any work on them...

[Message edited on 12/10 @339]

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
SRhyse \| 12/10/2003 @355 \| edit post

_quote:
HeebieJeebies wrote on 12/10 @337
But i wouldnt suggest using pirated software,as some have suggested on this thread.I suppose for learning/trying purposes but i wouldnt do any work on them...

By some you mean me and I meant it in the way you suggested: Try it out. Anything over $50 that you're not familiar with warrants 'trying out' in my opinion.

No matter what anyone says here, you could love or hate any program that's suggested; you may even decide to quit the first time you use one. Take advantage of the internet, try them all, learn a few ropes of each, and make the most informed decision you can when going ahead with a purchase. There's no better way to do it than that.

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
HeebieJeebies \| 12/10/2003 @362 \| edit post

_quote:
SRhyse wrote on 12/10 @055
I'd recomend the modeler of Lightwave 3d. Slightly harder to learn than 3d Studio Max or Maya, both of which are great as well, but overall you have alot more control over what your doing.

im guessing you have 'tryed' them all and still trying them? lol... be realistic,these are highend studio software.You dont buy a $1000-$7000 software for a couple of personal projects.

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
marcia \| 12/10/2003 @713 \| edit post

Quite a few 3D software packages (including Maya) have personal learning editions, offer 30 day free trials, or provide older or partially disabled versions for download on their site or in CD bundles attached to magazines. You don't have to pirate most software to demo it.

That said, I stand by my advice to use the tools designed for the purpose you have in mind. If you want to do mechanical/industrial 3D, your best bet is to get an ACIS modeler (e.g., AutoCad, TurboCAD, Formâ€¢Z, etc.) Maya, 3DSMax, and Lightwave are not the ideal packages for what you've described. I would completely forget SoftImage, which can cost $15,000 or more.

You wouldn't use a screw driver to pound a nail, would you?

marcia

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
SRhyse \| 12/10/2003 @715 \| edit post

_quote:
HeebieJeebies wrote on 12/10 @362
im guessing you have 'tryed' them all and still trying them? lol... be realistic,these are highend studio software.You dont buy a $1000-$7000 software for a couple of personal projects.

Keyphrase: don't buy. If it's a personal project, take what you can and give nothing back. I'm sure the developers won't be crippled if you use their programs to put together a few nonprofit models for your own use and amusement. And if they do cultivate a burning desire to hunt you down for playing around with their software a little, maybe they need to reevaluate their lives a little.

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
SRhyse \| 12/10/2003 @716 \| edit post

_quote:
marcia wrote on 12/10 @713
You wouldn't use a screw driver to pound a nail, would you?

But if you did and it worked, whose to say it was a bad idea?

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
marcia \| 12/10/2003 @732 \| edit post

You have to understand the differences between the two types of modelers. I actually make my living in 3D, use both types (FormZ, Strata, Wings, LightWave), and can tell you from experience that if he wants to make machined parts to engineering specs, depending on the part, he will either not be able to do it at all with the high-end apps (Maya, 3DSMax, LightWave, C4D, SoftImage) or it will take about 10 times longer to get good results.

CAD programs are specifically designed for engineering projects, which is basically what he said he was interested in. They have special tools that automate certain types of tasks and modeling that are unique to engineering and architecture.

If you aspire to do something for a living, you generally want to use the tools that are most efficient for the job, and also the tools that are standard to that particular industry. Often, you'll have to exchange files with other people on a project or will have to provide the client with compatible, editable files. If he uses LightWave (for instance) in an industry that's centered around AutoCAD, no one will hire him or use his services freelance, and if he wants to earn money in that field he'll have to start all over again learning the software he should have learned to begin with. It's not a case of any old package will do.

marcia

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
yoippari \| 12/11/2003 @355 \| edit post

Right now all I really want to do is play around with the software. I have used AutoCAD and Rhino 2.0 on a limited basis at school, but without knowing how to access AutoCAD?s 3d functions (which a friend has told me is quite tricky) I would prefer to use something more... I don?t want to say simple, but I don?t want to have to spend 3 quarters of my next high school year learning a program in class.
I will try out the "demo" versions of some of the software you guys have mentioned, and decide what to do from there.
As for what I am intending this for it a personal project of mine to make a functional robot or mech. I would like to try and not just model the outer shell, maybe with windows to see into a cockpit, but to make the engines, the hydraulics and as many other working, moving parts of the engine and controls as I can. While I don?t believe that I will even put enough time aside to do that much, I think that it will still be fun to try.

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
RavenVegeta \| 12/11/2003 @464 \| edit post

for what your suggestion an Autodesk product suchas 3D Studio Max or AutoCAD w/Reactor is your best bet.
AutoCAD is much better technically, 3D Studio Max is much easier.

you could probably pick up older versions of each software that perhaps although not greatly upto date and amazing will save you ALOT of cash.

Max 4.0 w/Reactor 1.0 would be your best bet ... should be able to get it second hand for around $100-200 ^_^

Re: 3d modeling, which program?
marcia \| 12/11/2003 @711 \| edit post

Okay, so you're wanting to create and animate a robot, and you want the learning curve to be short? Try Strata Studio.

Strata has a free version of the software at www.Strata.com. I highly recommend it for its ease of use and ability to create animations from models. It's not as powerful as the other software mentioned, but it's much easier to learn, and you can get excellent results with much less frustration. There is also a great user community at www.stratacafe.com that can help you if you get stuck on anything. Check it out.

marcia

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