Good, inexpensive 3D modeler for OS X?

statewolfstatewolf
Posted:
in Mac Software edited January 2014
Hi all,



I am looking for an inexpensive 3D modeler that will run on Mac OS X and complement Corel Bryce 5 well. I am getting a new iBook and I will be using Bryce for my scene composition and wanted to know if there are any other *inexpensive* but good programs that I could use to compliment it. (I also will have the Adobe Design collection for touch-ups and enhancements after Bryce renders the scene.)



Thanks a lot!

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 3
    lemon bon bonlemon bon bon Posts: 2,383member
    Go and look at the Poser 5 thread on this forum.



    That'll be worth waiting for if you are into people. It will be relatively expensive for drop dead gorgeous figure models. Can't buy better than you make! Kick in balls for Character studio...



    Next. Backgrounds. You want vue-d'esprit. e-onsoftware.com (Bryce lost its 'King of Landscapers a while back...) Cheap...slow but excellent quality renderer and loads of features leaving Bryce going 'what hit me?'



    Next. All round modeller.



    Hmmm. And cheap? You could go Animation Master from 'Hash' Studios. Some people thing the 'X' version is buggy. Very cheap. Some say its great for character animation and modelling. (Nah, get Poser 5...with hosting program for your 'generic' 3D modeller.)



    While you're learning...you could get the discovery version of Maya or Lightwave (which are free...) and upgrade to a commercial version later...



    But if you want to get crackin' with commercial work already...then there's Cinema 4d. What's good about it? Well, as from version 8 (due for release any moment now...) it will be modular!



    Which means...that you can buy the core of the program cheaply prob' £500(?)or less. Check Maxxon's website for details. Bargain. Hell, Leonis swears by it now at it. Check the Cinema 4d 8 thread for more details on this forum. Then you add on extra functionality like Body Paint (3D painting app for your models...real time ray-trace paint...beat that!) when you need them.



    I've got Lightwave 7.5. I started with the student version. Cost £495. Then when I wanted to go to the Commercial version...it just cost me another £495. What's more...you get alot of bang for your buck such as hair rendering, skies...and functionality built right in for a damn good price.



    If you were on the PC side of things. I may say Truespace. Great renderer...easy to get into interface. Lot of bang for buck. Nice price. Many people swear buy over apps like studio Max.



    Lightwave, Maya, Cinema 4d all come with hosting plug ins for your Poser scenes. Saves alot of faffing about re-applying textures and animations. You can export them as is into Lightwave or whatever. Cool, eh?



    So. Hope this helps.



    Lemon Bon Bon



    [ 07-30-2002: Message edited by: Lemon Bon Bon ]</p>
  • Reply 2 of 3
    nebagakidnebagakid Posts: 2,692member
    Poser,



    and also, take a look at Vue d'Espirit from <a href="http://e-onsoftware.com"; target="_blank">E-On software</a>.. It does the same stuff as Bryce, but I found it much easier to use and there is a smaller learning curve. There is a 30 day demo and it is a really good program <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
  • Reply 3 of 3
    leonisleonis Posts: 3,427member
    VueEspirit and Bryce are very sloooooooooooooow on rendering.
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