best 3D software...

...using a PC.

Blender is freeware, and I heard good stuff about newest Maya and some other program I can't think of right now. haha.

thanks.

i'm looking for the 'industry standard'. what are you guys using? i'm seriously looking into it right now.

damn zak you must have some money to throw down if you are seriously looking into buying it...I know 3dmax is like 3-4k for a licensed copy...and I'm not talking about a student version that is for non profit use.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=5679449&linkID=5573082
maya is like 2k
-rj

Edited: 10/13/2007 6:40:19 AM by toad32

I use modo301 made by a company callled Luxology. I just switched to this from lightwave. As far as industry standard, dont fall for that line. Evaluate all the packages and use the one that will do what you want in the shortest amount of time. This is my latest. This is ALL 3d. I do have some truck stuff coming soon that I will be after SEMA. Be prepared though! If you think photoshop is a big program..... wait until you get into 3D.

Carter

the only reaosn you should base it off of industry standard is if you plan on working at one game studio only ever, lol, maya is a very common industry standard and is used mostly i believe, ive worked at scea, blizzard, ea, naughtydog, and between maya, lightwave, and 3d studio max you should be fine.

carter said it best, if you think photoshop is big, 3d is a way different world. good luck, feel free to ask questions.


for carter: hey man are you projection mapping the backgrounds? or are you modeling generic shapes and texturing them. the reason i ask is because of the lighting, and shadow on the car/

and if you are modeling them are u using bump maps or just plain textures, id like to see the bg mesh if you are keen on showing it.

Projection mapping is my friend!!!!!!! Yeah I projection map them and light with an hdri. I am still learning this side of the renderings. I think most will not pick up on what you have.

Carter

no they wont, its not visible to the untrained eye, even in a still picture you cant tell, maybe a short camera move would reveal the edges but even then in that pic probably not. nice work man. you guys a pretty big company or jut a few man crew, or even one man./

I am just a one man wrecking crew. I do freelance some model building from time to time but all the rendering and stuff is mine. You still work in the gaming industry?

I have been evaluting a couple of game engines as we speak so who knows?

Carter