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Post by labrat on Mar 23, 2011 2:24:13 GMT -9
I am curious what programs our 3D modelers out there are using?  I am currently doing my very first 3D model - a catpult. And I can almost guarantee that I am using a program that is not well suited to such endeavors. I tried in Illustrator, which should be good, but I had a hard time getting all the shapes I needed, so I resorted to photoshop, because that's what I am familiar with. The model is coming along just fine, but I am certain there are better programs out there for this. It would probably be worth my time to put in the effort to learn one of these programs to speed up any 3D modeling I may do in the future. Programs I currently have include: Photoshop Illustrator Inkscape Canvas I have not put in the time with inkscape or canvas yet to become familiar enough, but I eventually will. Any help or suggestions are welcome. |
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Post by Parduz on Mar 23, 2011 2:54:44 GMT -9
Well, i tryed Sketchup with an unfolding plugin, which is enough for simple models. Someone find Sketchup easy and confortable, i just hate it 'cause is too simple.
I started in '92 working on Autocad, then 3DStudio, then 3DSMax until the company ceased to buy that license, and (provided that i had not draw anything "organic") they are the best to "sculpt" 3d objects. Sure, they cost a lot.
Another nice program, free and (i think) now abandoned is Anim8or: it have a more "technic" approach to 3D objects than Sketcup, a WORKING uwv mapping feature (in case you want to texture your objects in the 3D world) and a counteintuitive inteface that drive me crazy. I still like that old app more than Sketchup.
Unfolding a model can be really tough... i'd invest in the pepakura unfolding program, if the software you'll use can export the right format.
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Post by glennwilliams on Mar 23, 2011 7:15:44 GMT -9
Sketches in Adobe Sketchbook Pro (really this is to help me learn to use my graphics tablet)
Design: 3D Canvas Pro (I've got Carrara but the learning curve's VERY steep)
Ultimate Unwrap Pro to make the UV maps
Photoshop CS5 to paint (haven't learned the 3d features)
Ultimate papercraft Pro to create the unfolded model
Adobe InDesign to create the pdf and instructions
I've got Blacksmith 3d because it seems to be the least expensive program that will let me bake on UV maps, which I want to try.
I would recommend Metasequoia (Mel Ebbles swears by it, but I just couldn't get used to it) and the free version of 3d Canvas (free is good). Also the 3d magazines (3D Artist and 3D World often have free software on their DVDs--usually the prior version of something that rolling out a new release--that's how I got Carrara Pro)
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Post by tirick on Mar 23, 2011 11:23:51 GMT -9
Blender for all models - Free
GIMP for all textures - Free
Pepakura for Unfold - Inexpensive
Bullzip PDF printer - Free
I recommend all, and strongly. Blender has a very steep learning curve, but frankly, I wish every program was as adaptable and as well designed.
GIMP is VERY powerful, and super light on resources.
Tirick
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Post by labrat on Mar 23, 2011 14:29:21 GMT -9
Wow that's a lot of programs!  How to decide which one to try out first? I don't even use an actual modeling program, I just visualize in my mind what pieces I need, sketch them out roughly on paper how they should be put together. I make them to size using the shapes features in photoshop, then I print it out and put it together to see if it fits the way I had imagined. Then I make any necessary adjustments and move on to some more pieces. It is tedious, but it almost sounds like it would be just as much of a pain to learn and switch through so many programs. But I'm willing to give anything a shot. Hey Dave, what's your poison? I like the style of your models, and you create some really nice preview shots from the software. |
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Post by Vermin King on Mar 23, 2011 15:46:18 GMT -9
If I were you, I'd send a message to Dave and to TommyGun.
You might even want to go to the Ebbles Forum and see if you can get some help there.
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Post by Tommygun on Mar 23, 2011 17:59:48 GMT -9
I have the attention span of a gerbil, so I haven't set down long enough to learn a 3D software program yet.
I do have four years of old fashion drafting classes to draw upon, a calculator and Pythagoras to get me thought it.
I have been considering Google SketchUp as I've heard you can export it to Pepakura for unfolding.
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Post by cowboyleland on Mar 23, 2011 18:09:44 GMT -9
No better wingman than Pythagoras!
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Post by Sirrob01 on Mar 24, 2011 22:29:13 GMT -9
I have a few posts on my blog about my sketchup process, I've been using sketchup mostly for WWG/Fat dragon bashes but also for my dunebuggy, dragonfly and a current WIP. I prefer sketchup over 3ds max/blender as it is simpler. Basically it works well for simple shapes and paper models work best as simple shapes. I'd be afraid if I used 3ds max (although my version is now ancient) I'd put in way to many poly's and pseudo curved surfaces  . I tried out Metasequoia which I think is what Mel uses? but I only tried the LE version which was a little limited Sketchup (design)>>Pepakura (flatten & tabs)>>Gimp (textures). Used Inkscape at one point but it seems to be a wasted step. I can't recommend the unfold plugins for sketchup, I tried flatten recently and I forget the name of the other awhile ago, but neither seem as powerful or as easy and quick to use as pepakura. To try out flattening with Pepakura designer trial you can simply print to pdf once you finish adjusting your flattened shapes, as designer unregistered you can't save, but printing to pdf and then importing to GIMP saves the shapes/layout. pretty similar to Tirick |
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Post by labrat on Mar 25, 2011 10:55:39 GMT -9
Well after watching some sketchup tutorials, I think I will start with that program for modeling. It seems to be simple enough to work with so I don't have to invest countless hours on a more complex program. I will give it a go, and if I'm not liking the results, I can always switch later on. Now I just need to look into pepakura for unfolding. Thanks everyone for the help. I think this will make my process flow a lot better. |
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Post by tirick on Mar 25, 2011 13:37:47 GMT -9
Sketchup (design)>>Pepakura (flatten & tabs)>>Gimp (textures). Used Inkscape at one point but it seems to be a wasted step. The main difference in my method is texturing can be checked/confirmed in model view for fit before printing to unfolded layout. GIMP is seriously awesome though, and sweetly powerful for many many applications. Tirick |
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Post by Bhoritz on Mar 26, 2011 6:25:37 GMT -9
Well after watching some sketchup tutorials, I think I will start with that program for modeling. It seems to be simple enough to work with so I don't have to invest countless hours on a more complex program. I will give it a go, and if I'm not liking the results, I can always switch later on. Now I just need to look into pepakura for unfolding. Thanks everyone for the help. I think this will make my process flow a lot better. You can unfold directly from Sketchup with the Flattery plugin. You can add the glueing tabs and then you can export for texturing in GIMP or Photoshop. And it's free. |
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Post by labrat on Mar 26, 2011 10:20:07 GMT -9
Oh man! Thanks for that. One less program to worry about. |
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Post by Dominic on Apr 6, 2011 22:34:54 GMT -9
I've been messing with Metasequoia and Ultimate Papercraft for a bit, but I found the texturing process awkward. Also, Metasequoia does not have meassurements - it uses the unit of 1, so it gets tricky to keep anything scaled throughout the process. Also, I did not manage to master the art of complex sandwich folds using polygon meshes, at least not in the time I had alotted for it.
So after some frustration I abandoned them in favor of Inkscape - not 3D, but what I am working on now does not require complex shaped. So right now I'm doing the geometry in Inkscape, and then (once the geometry is finished, done, approved and well-tested - a lesson hard learned) I do the textures in GIMP, either as a pattern to fill or as a by-surface texture.
Since I have yet to publish my first product created that way, I cannot tell you how easy the last step - Inkscape to PDF - will be, but I'll be using Scribus for it - at least for the first attempt.
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Post by labrat on Apr 7, 2011 22:48:53 GMT -9
SATREK! You're alive! ;D It's good to hear from you again.
Let me know how that progression goes.
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Post by tirick on Apr 9, 2011 5:10:03 GMT -9
Satrek, the unit in a modeling program (outside of design tools like Autodesk and the like) is arbitrary and relative to your own needs (as the modeling program needs to account for models of all scales). As such, use a scale that means something to you (I use 1 Blender Unit (BU) as a meter).
When I was first starting I made a 1x1 cube, unfolded in Pepakura and found the scale that directly related to what I wanted. I wanted 1:50, so I played with the settings until my 1 meter cube was 2 cm across.
On a side note, can you print from Inkscape? If so, getting to .pdf is as easy as finding an inexpensive (or free) pdf printer. I use Bullzip, which is free for a limited number of users.
Tirick
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Post by glennwilliams on Apr 11, 2011 6:11:58 GMT -9
Satrek, I use 3d Canvas Pro, but I'm pretty sure this is true (as Tirick said) for all: one unit in your modeller can be set as one inch in Ultimate Papercraft (it's the default IIRC). Ultimate Papercraft also has a scale to setting where you can input the model's largest dimension.
3d tools/scale to/model
you can also scale in the print output (in the output dialog box).
and in the edit menu
edit/layout/scale
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Post by Dominic on Apr 19, 2011 23:24:55 GMT -9
The thing is, I'm an engineer and thus familiar with construction programs, where you work with units directly. It's not that far off, but it took a bit of getting used to - rooting out all the scaling problems etc. Not a software problem, but a user problem I suspect. As for printing from inkscape, you can, but you might have to do a bit of fiddling. I ended up setting up my printer in windows again with the spooler turned off. suddenly Inkscape can print just fine. I still need to look into the art of making cutfiles, then I'll decide whether to print my models from inkscape or use Scribus for the layout. Somehow, I miss several key features in the new SD Studio software, like importing images... labrat: you actually scared me, I didn't expect anyone to notice that I was gone. Not that I mind  . |
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Post by Dave on Jun 17, 2011 16:07:14 GMT -9
Hey Dave, what's your poison? I like the style of your models, and you create some really nice preview shots from the software. I design everything in 2D straight in Photoshop, so I'm not sure I have much to contribute here. Even my 3D views are made in 2D. |
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Post by Parduz on Jun 18, 2011 1:48:05 GMT -9
Even my 3D views are made in 2D. That's insane (in a good meanining). At least two persons (me and Labrat) tough that your adv images was made in 3D.... |
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Post by Dominic on Jun 18, 2011 22:01:15 GMT -9
I have to add that making things looking 3D using 2D shapes isn't that hard if you have the angles and such figured out.
And after yet another model, I can reitterate that I find 2D much easier than 3D, with a much more friendly learning curve...
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Post by insanemachina on Jan 16, 2012 0:56:44 GMT -9
Inkscape exports pdf's without the need of a pdf printer... Just Ctrl+Shift+S and in the file format choose pdf... But first I guess you need to configure your page size in File>Drawing Properties so it meets your paper size...
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Post by highlandpiper on Jan 17, 2012 12:34:00 GMT -9
I do everything in Sketchup then I unwrap them in Ultimate Unwrap althought I also have Pepekura Designer. I find Ultimate UUnwrap much easier to use (and more useful). Ultimate Unwrap can open Sketchup files and save them as OBJ. I used to use Metasequia but I hate trying to scale anything with it. With Sketchup I can check the scale right away. I normally texture in Photoshop and Illustrator.  I've just finished making the templates for this fence system and I'm building it with mat board, foam board and other odd and ends. |
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Post by old squirmydad on Jan 17, 2012 14:26:50 GMT -9
Still using Vectorworks 12.5 to do my 3d work. Exporting as a dxf file, opening in Metasequoia to check for inverted faces, saving and oping in Pepakura v.2, rearranging the layout, exporting as a dxf again, opening in Robomaster so my cut and scorre lines are mostly set up, printing to pdf using cutepdf, then opening the pdf with Photoshop. I'll sometimes change a few things in Photoshop so I'll leave myself notes to make appropriate adjustments in Robomaster for the cutting files.  |
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Post by glennwilliams on Jan 18, 2012 9:22:52 GMT -9
For unfolding, I have generally found Ultimate Papercraft 3d nuch, much better than Pepakura with one exception. Pepakura handles flats better than Ultimate Papercraft.
My workaround in for Ultimate Papercraft is to design a flat, two-sided figure as a 3D shape in my modeller (3D Canvas Pro in its new incarnation as 3DCrafter), delete the intervening sides, reduce that dimension to zero (actually .0001), then export as an .obj file. Unfolds well in Ultimate Papercraft.
That process sounds much more complicated than it is. Suppose I want a square solar panel. I create a cube, unwrap and texture two opposing sides, delete the remaining sides, and smoosh the figure flat. Now I can unwrap to create the pages I need for a product.
BTW,
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How to decide which one to try out first?
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