What 3D Software Do You Use?

Tralfaz

I am really curious as to what 3D software everyone uses. When I first started modeling, I was always at ends trying to figure our which software was best or not and never found any really useful information other than paid reviews.

What I would like this thread to be is a place where you can list your software along with pros/cons or likes/dislikes. This could become really beneficial to someone who is looking to get into modeling or animating.

I'll start first.

Anim8or (http://www.anim8or.com) - no longer use

Likes

Free software Great for starting out Reasonably easy to learn Imports .obj and .3ds files Very stable

Dis-likes

Outdated GUI No development for last 6 years or so 32 bit application Windows only

Animation Master (http://www.hash.com) - no longer use

Likes

Very easy to use Great for creating animations Pretty good support through the forums (

http://www.hash.com/forums),Patch instead of polygon modeling
Huge library of assets
Windows and MAC

Dis-likes

Some stability issues when I was on version 13.s Not a large user base Gets real slow when you reach 10,000 patches Very little support for importing poly models Gone to a yearly subscription model - can add up over time, but always have the latest software

Cinema 4D (http://www.maxon.net),

Likes

Very easy to use Super stable software If it does crash, saves a copy of your project before terminating Excellent support through the C4D Cafe forum (

http://www.c4dcafe.com/ipb/),Large number of file formats supported
Large number of plug-ins available
Lots of downloadable and on-line tutorials
32 and 64 bit versions
Windows and MAC

Dis-likes

Expensive software to purchase Major upgrades can be very costly OBJ imports and exports don't use materials (I use Rip Tide Pro plugin),

Chris2005

Following the same format you used...

3D Studio Max (http://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-3ds-max/overview)

• Likes
  • The UI is basically the standard Windows UI
    UI is easy to learn for someone who uses Microsoft Windows
    Easy to navigate when going through tutorials
  Dislikes
  • Not many public models use the Max format
    Crashes sometimes when I try to overdo something, but that's really a limitation due to my computer, not 3D Studio Max.

Only 3D software I use use. I have installed the Cinema 4D demo to help me port Nightfever's JJ Enterprise to Max... which I'm still working on, lol.

spacefighter

ok i use

for modelling SKETCHUP
likes:free and easy to use, first 3d software i learned to use so i am familiar with it's layout and principles
dislikes:hard to export from, only does modelling

for animation and rendering BLENDER
likes:free and good features
dislikes:rather a lot of the software i have yet to learn how to use

L2K

MAX.
pros:
really good modeling tools.
already used to it for years. (i'd say ease of use, but thats so personal it doesnt count)
lots of plugins and scripts.
spreads to 2 screens no problems
cons :
crapy animation tools.
expensive (i dont care, i made my boss provide it)

C4D
i'm aiming to pass to c4d. a lot of post houses use c4d here for its friendship with after effects.

pro :
total friendship with after effect. import exports cameras and lights natively
really effective dynamics system
doesnt seem too hard to pass to. (well, i'm still in the 1st steps)
frienship with body paint (well, i dont use body paint, but ive been told its powerful)
con :
crappy modeling tools
interface doesnt like multi displays. i cant spread it effectively over my 2 screens.
weird logic, but again, its a personal feeling.


dont know yet about animation tools, but i guess its better than max.

japme

Eovia / DAZ3D's Carrara 8 Pro
http://www.daz3d.com/products/carrara/carrara-what-is-carrara

PRO's -
- Intuitive and effective layout
- Excellent vertex modelling enviroment
- Basic but if correctly utilized, effective shader capability
- Can pull off some stunning renders, WITHOUT post-pro work

CON's
- Outdated lighting system
- Limited and outdated Shader system
- Not a wide-spread program

It has some flaws like everything else out there, but overall, it is probably one of the better programs to start from...

Knight26

Like the signature says:
AUTOCAD-2010
Pro's-
-Engineering based 2-D/3-D modeler, allows for very precise work
-Intuitive for CAD users
-Compatible with 3DS max and other autodesk products
- Great for solid modelling
-Easy export to STL for 3D printing
-Easy to optimize Nvidea commercial cards to use with it
-Strong CAD tools for dimensioning and determining model properties

Con's-
-Limited lighting system
-Limited Renderer
-Almost no animation capability
-Can be a memory hog
-Texturing can be a pain if model is not optimized

ACAD was the first modeller and third CAD I learned to use, and is my go to CAD/modeler, and I am happy with the results most of the time.

Judge Death.

BLENDER!!!

Pros:
Free.
Constantly and rapidly evolving.
Makers listen to the public's feedback.
Tons o' tools.

Cons:
Complex.
Hard to learn.
Various tiny issues come up with modeling.