Modeling Software

[kuinngu]

So I recently got into modding for Skyrim and I was wondering what the majority of people use as a modeling software. I'm using Cinema 4D, but I've heard about Blender and 3DS Max. Which one is easier to use and better for modeling? Thanks.

[marthgun]

i started on blender, and then switched to 3ds max because i heard that blender had problems with uv mapping and rendering and just wasn't as advanced.

 

with that said, on just the modelling side, like making shapes, blender destroys 3ds, its much easier to use, the hotkeys make sense and the layout is good. as far as texturing, 3ds is far more advanced. In the short term, blender is great, in the long term when you get more advanced, I'd say hands down 3ds. but im just learning too, i've heard that all the programs will work well for low poly game stuff

[ghosu]

For all modeling purposes i would recommend C4D, IMO from those 3 it is the easiest to use (yes, i tried the other ones as well). Just check out the Video in my sig, you can make barely any weapon within a few minutes.

Unfortunately there is no NIF Import/Export plugin for C4D so stuff like armor or clothing, new creatures (all of them have to be attached to bones/skeleton) can't be rigged with it - but you can create the parts in C4D, export them to Max/Blender and do the last step there.

 

I guess the majority uses Blender because it is for free, some versions of Max as well so i guess it will be on the 2nd place.

[Matth85]

3ds max if possible. Why?

 

with that said, on just the modelling side, like making shapes, blender destroys 3ds, its much easier to use

Yet less flexible.

 

the hotkeys make sense

3ds max is made to be customized. Hotkeys are customizable.

 

the layout is good

Max's layout is perfect. While learning it is usefull to use all 4 windows, whilst a more experienced only works in 1 window.

 

you can make barely any weapon within a few minutes.

There is no different with the speed. It takes a minute to make the same sword in every single 3d software on earth.

 

Short:

 

Maya and 3ds max are more flexible than everything else. If you plan to try everything that 3d gives, meaning animations and good renders.

That said, blender comes to a good second to these, just because it is free and gives both a good UI and a solid workflow.

Then comes every other 3d software. They all got the basic, and all got the required. However, some got more utility than other.

 

In the end, use whatever you want, since it all depends on which one you want. There is a learning curve no matter.

but here is a few softwares you might consider:

 

Maya/3ds max/Blender

GIMP/Photoshop

Zbrush/Mudbox/Sculptris

 

TL;DR.

Use whatever you want. The only bonus in 3ds max over anything else, is how flexible it is. If your aim is only basic models, you don't need anything fancy. Any freebie software is good enough. Allthough you will want a software to model, a software to sculpt and a software to texture.

 

Cheers,

Matth

[ghosu]

Well jeah i guess it makes you blind for other software when you got used to something...i started with Google Sketchup - hell this program is easy to use, i modeled my whole house inside/outside in the first days. But of course its a pretty basic program so i changed to C4D...same here, easy to use...my first model was a rifle (signature/deviant galery) - easy to use as well and sooo much more features.

 

Then i tried Max for a few days and it was just horrible - but not 'cause it is a bad program, most people use it but i was sooo much used to the C4D layout that it just felt wrong. Would take a few days to get used to it but not worth the effort atm - i'm pretty sure Max/C4D/Maya and whatever are pretty similiar in features, there are tons of plugins as well and so on.

 

But i guess the most important tool is the sculpting/texturing software, its not hard to create a rough shape...so you should find a program that fits you. zBrush - i tried it 2 weeks and omg sooo awesome features, the whole program is just excellent. But I (!) can't handle it, the layout is just terrible (in my opinion).

 

Mudbox, maybe not so many features but soooo much easiert to handle since the layout is similar to C4D. Maybe zBrush is closer to Max...never tried Sculptris though. From all the listed programs i guess you find the most tutorials for Max, Blender and zBrush.

 

Same with image editor...worked with PS from the beginning, years...tried Gimp and after a few minutes i unistalled it. Of course it is excellent software as well, comparable to PS and you can even add plugins to create a similar layout. Whatever, everyone will recommend his babies (like me as well of course) - so the most important thing is software that fits you and not the majority. In my opinion the much more impotant factor is the artist and his skill/fantasy ;)

 

greetings

Edited March 29, 2012 by ghosu

[Rennn]

I use Blender because it's free. So far I've made a bird nest, which wasn't exactly difficult, lol.

 

It would make sense if 3DS was superior, since for that much money I could almost buy a better gpu.

[GomuGomu64]

I've always prefered Maya. Best software (IMO) for all-round 3D stuff. Easy to use, and has quite a large amount of plugins.

[Ghogiel]

If you actually know max really well...and have competence in other 3d apps... then you know it's actually kinda retarded in many ways. I still prefer it because the poly modelling tools and modifier stack work flow.

 

And no... ZB is nothing like maxs layout/UI, ZB is nothing like anything else pretty much period. Mudbox is like a cross between Max and photoshop to me.

 

 

If I were say what I think are my 3 apps I like the feel of most. it would be Max Maya Modo

Edited March 29, 2012 by Ghogiel

[SkjoldBjorn]

I use blender, i find max horrific, the way i have to add a modifier just to move the mouse pointer worked my nerves a lot. If im going to use anything else than max it must be maya, maya got awsome nurbs.

There is no answer to what is best, i say it's preference. However i do agree that blender is a little to simple at some point, but still i can do a lot in blender. If i had the economy i would probably have maya.

I watched your videos Ghosu and C4D looked very smooth GUI-wise, i might check it out at some point if it is'nt too expensive.

 

Anyways, 3ds max makes it easier overrall since it got the import/export support for skyrim nifs, blender does'nt but uses a fallout 3 backdoor..it works, but it creates some extra workflow.

Im not saying 3ds max is shite, but for simple modifications i find it a little annoying, so i use blender for those.

[AurelTristen]

From my experience, I've found that Max can be intimidating and confusing when you first get started, but if you become competent with it, its extraordinarily fast and efficient. I also like that it is both widely used and very old, so it plays well with older engines while continuing to be used for modern stuff.

 

If you are just using it to make swords for Skyrim, many of its features don't make sense (like modifier stacks), but when you start doing something a little more serious, it all starts to come together. I also like having a robust rendering engine built right in (Actually, several rendering engines). The major features each seem as though they were the primary focus of development, unlike some software that appears to have things like raster rendering tacked on as an afterthought.

 

The truth is that most artists are going to rep their proffered software. I'm a Max user and I love it to death, but I'll admit that makes my opinion less valuable. In the end, they are all comparable, so pick the one that has the most tutorials for what you are trying to do (Max?).

 

Note: I work with a 3D mouse and across three monitors, so my workflow is VERY fast. Not everyone has the hardware for this, so my experience is a bit unique.