Fav 3d Package

[CyraX]

Just asking for a list of 3d packages that ppl like, for a poll later on.

3ds Max
Maya
XSI
Blender
Rhino
Milkshape

anymore?

[anubis]

1. Maya
2. ... well...

[davepermen]

deled
other free ones exist, but i always forget their names. at least deled, i can remember:D

[starboarder2001]

3D Studio Max :D. I have used Maya a little, but not enough to compare it to Max.

these 3d model editing toos look good...
http://www.ac3d.org/
http://www.anim8or.com

[Mihail121]

I go with Anim8or. Easy to use, nice interface, free!

[fyhuang]

Blender is my favorite. Way faster than Maya when loading, and also a very fast high quality renderer. It is also free and open-source! www.blender3d.org .

[Adrian T]

For environments, level design etc 3DS Max

for characters vehicles and static placement objects Max or Maya.

Been using Max building environments for about 6 years, it's only recently that other tools have started to catch up in this area however most developers I have worked with that don't use CSG editors use 3dsmax.

Maya is popular with animators, and FMV. Often studios use both.

[Psionic]

I model in Cinema 4D, UV in Unwrap 3D and animate in Character FX...with occasional tweaks and exporting done in milkshape ;)

[Decibit]

Solidworks
Though Solidworks isn't a general purpose 3d package, but it's very easy to use. If you want to create a model, which is exact in sizes and dimensions, Solidworks is your choice. Excellent extrusion tool.

Serious disadvantage - you'll have to do all texturing and SFX in MAX or simialr package. Solidworks is developed for engineers and doesn't support texturing at all. :(

[davepermen]

uhm yeah, i forgot cinema 4d. lovely application. (to anubis, cinema 4d exports to xml :D:D:D)

[gibber]

I use a combination of Wings for modelling and Milkshape for animation or writing whatever file format i want.

Wings is a free subdivision modeller... http://www.wings3d.com

[Oblivionbringa]

I use 3ds Max 6 and Zbrush 2

[NomadRock]

If anyone hasn't tried out Blender in a while you definately should. Features keep getting added and there are some nice side projects like an automatic human modeler that is beautiful if I do say myself.

Blender as a project is amazing to see how quickly everyone contributes. As a program it is amazing how quick it is to model anything. I am always limited in by my own imagination, never by the program holding me back.

Their interface is different, but for good reason, it is an improvement.

[CyraX]

Blender is for programmers by programmers.
Blender needs lotsa improvement - UI is just a starting point. Yes it is good yes it is VERY good - python integration. Checked it out sometime back my lead was talking about it and so tried it. Its pretty good still clunky interface.

Oh btw even 3ds max exports the scene to XML.
I have been wondering if its just programmers who are answering this - I guess it is just programmers.

[NomadRock]

The interface in blender is clunky and hard to use, but only if you are inexperienced. If you are very experienced in both packages you will find that blender is a much easier and faster tool. The problem is that steep learning curve. They try to make things easier, but they don't want to sacrifice what makes people stay with it just to make more people start with it.

It is better to have only a few people use it and enjoy it, than to have no one enjoy it. I highly recommend the Blender manual. The profit goes toward keeping the project going.

Seriously though, that is one of the biggest things the developers are struggling with is how to make an interface that is both easy and streamlined.

A manual transmission is harder to learn than an automatic transmission, but if you know what you are doing you dont switch away from a manual after you learn it. Keep this in mind.

[suiram]

Anim8tor and Getic 3D are free and easy to use and start a 3 D engine.I just collected all the links posted here in this one post for easy access

Getic 3D (http://getic.njoydeco.com)
davepermen.net (http://davepermen.net)
http://www.ac3d.org/
http://www.anim8or.com
http://www.psionic3d.co.uk
http://www.wings3d.com (http://www.wings3d.com)

[davepermen]

wtf why the link to my page? i mean.. thanks.. but.. why?!

[SnprBoB86]

I vote for 3dsmax, but then again I am certainly not an artist :-)

[NomadRock]

Maybe, because you are a good 3d modeling tool? Do you pose? hehe.

[anubis]

heh... davepermen does pose as an indian these days... or were you the cowboy ? i keep forgetting how it is with the two of us

[davepermen]

harrharr :D well... what ever you wanted.. but it's an entierly different discussion :D

i'd love to have a good modelling software on my page. would mean, i've solved my "Generate Easily Good Data For My Raytracer" problem :D