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Which Modelling Programs Do You Use?

Which modelling programs do you use?


  • Total voters
    19

Majestic

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I've been a bit curious lately and so I'd thought this might be an interesting poll.

Which modelling programs do you use?

Poll is multiple choice so if you use more than one please state. If I've forgotten yours please let me know before you vote so I can add it to the list.
 

Amateur

Waiting for Godot
Joined
29 May 2006
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755
Age
34
Well I use a few:

Mainly 3ds Max. It's the program I actually learned in, and is ideal for my needs.

Milkshape for hardpointing and any importing/exporting that Max can't do. I used Milkshape for modelling for about a week and gave up. It was painful, I'm sorry to say. It's a lovely little program, and can be used to great effect, but in my opinion Max is head and shoulders above it.

Daz 3d is installed, and I have used it for organic renders before. I'm not a big fan of it though. Mainly due to the lighting system, it feels a bit clunky at times. I'm sure that's just me being used to the Max interface though, and to be honest I've never sat down and tried to work it out.

I also have Zbrush, though I've only used it once. It's extremely powerful and excellent for organic modelling; but it does take some ability to visualise the shape before you do it. Plus the tools are like sculptors tools, and I have no experience in the area.

I've tried Blender, couldn't stand the interface. I have, though, seen it do some things that would make modelling a little easier. Still can't stand the thing, so that's a major issue.

I couldn't adjust to Lightwave either. I think it was because I was a firm Max user by the time I tried it, and was constantly comparing the two. Obviously, the fact that I had experience with Max made that the better choice.
 

Rawks

Gamer Extraordinaire
Joined
20 Sep 2011
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27
Was taught to use Maya at University, so if I decide to do any modelling, it would be in Maya. Not that I model much if at all these days, lol.

But yeah, Maya 2008/10.
 

Majestic

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I have the following installed:

  • Milkshape 3D
  • 3D Max Studio v5
  • 3D Max Design 2010
  • Messiah Studio
  • Lightwave v9
  • Google Sketchup

However I choose only 3D Max and Milkshape. Milkshape as it's my main program, while limited it's easy to learn for someone who has never used a modelling program before and 3D Max as I am trying to learn it. Very complicated compared to Milkshape but I have hopes one day I'll learn it enough to perhaps move over to it completely. I would also like to learn Lightwave, but again it looks complicated compared to MS3D.

I have tried Blender in the past but found it more complicated than Max, it's interface is well I was lost to be honest. The other programs on my list I managed to get my hands on wither for converting or for possible future use down the track.
 

Zelph

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I've always used Milkshape, but not as much as I'd prefer lately. Doesn't like to cooperate with my Windows 7 install and tends to crash a lot...sad day.
 

Starfox1701

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Mainly milkshape but I'm starting to tinker with 3ds Max 5:thumbsup:
 

Adm_Z

Gettin' down and GUI!
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23 Nov 2009
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2,745
Milkshape is it for me, but I plan to learn others.:)
 

Styer_Crisis

Zero APM Gamer, And i can still own you
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9 Mar 2011
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368
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29
I am a firm maya user, i use milkshape for the nessecary evils its good for, but i find its simpleness drives me insane, i like have hundreds of different tools in maya tto do exactly what i want.
 

K_merse

Star Trek: Evolution
Joined
22 Feb 2008
Messages
438
I'm using Milkshape almost all the time. I also have 3DS Max 9 isntalled, but I still can't make proper models with it.
 
A

Atlantisbase

Deleted Due to Inactivity
Former MSFC Member
Wow, am I the only Blender user.

I has it's quirks and short comings, but it beats shelling out $3000+ bucks and 2+ GBs of disk space for one of the Autodesk products.

I've tried Blender, couldn't stand the interface. I have, though, seen it do some things that would make modelling a little easier. Still can't stand the thing, so that's a major issue.
Have you tried the more recient versions, the interface has improved quite a bit.
 

EAS_Intrepid

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I like black coffee, without milk...... like every half-decent EMT

Wait, this is about 3d programs.
I am a very happy customer of Milkshape3d. I see, that I am not alone. (And I Hate Milk!)

Aside that I use 3ds Max for rendering more complex stuff and for texture creation.

Stick to MS3d, learn how to use it and be a pro!
From my job I can tell you: The Basics Are Everything! Same with 3d stuff. With Milkshape you learn these basic skills. And even with the Basics, you can do wonders.
 

Zelph

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Do any other of the free/cheap programs accept MS3D format? I want to try and import the ship I've been working on into one of them.

Milkshape's gotten beyond touchy on my computer, crashes on opening half the time and if I get it past that, it'll crash when I try to do anything with textures...
 

Adm_Z

Gettin' down and GUI!
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23 Nov 2009
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2,745
You could try blender and import/export in maya format. If I recall correctly, that worked for thunder and dan.
 

Borg_Queen

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3DS Max for me, though I am thinking on trying out Daz Studios. :)
 
A

Atlantisbase

Deleted Due to Inactivity
Former MSFC Member
Do any other of the free/cheap programs accept MS3D format? I want to try and import the ship I've been working on into one of them.

Milkshape's gotten beyond touchy on my computer, crashes on opening half the time and if I get it past that, it'll crash when I try to do anything with textures...

Blender's probably your best bet for cheap; it can import obj and 3ds and a few other common formats. You'll probably have to do some clean up and your materials will probably need tweaking, but it should work. To be safe, if you have any - hm, not sure what to call them; Blender calls them "modifiers", basically any programmatic/non-destructive mesh modification elements, i.e. something which mirrors a whole mesh or creates and array of objects - apply them or turn them into static meshes. If you don't you may get funny results when you import.
 

pepperman

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10 Dec 2011
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119
I guess you could say I am a diehard Milkshape fan. I do want to learn to use Max and have tried several times but just can't seem to get the hang of it. I'd especially like to learn to do some animations. Anyone here good at doing animations? hehe
 

Chiletrek

Warriors from Fluidic Space
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Hello:
I use Milkshape3d to do my meshes, I do have plans to learn some things about 3ds max, mainly for animation and bump maps for sods.

Maybe I can also try Blender someday, but that might by for a long-term project, hehehe.
 
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