if you're not comfortable using 2.5 in it's alpha state, you're not forced to. they still have stable 2.49 on the site, and the alpha 2.5 is clearly labeled as alpha testing. thus far i'm loving it, and to say that it's useless in a production environment is kind of ridiculous
Think it's ridiculous all you want, but I'd advise against using Blender all day long. Alpha or not.
It's fine for hobbyists, and fine for students, if you just want to learn about the basics (and beyond) of 3D. But it's not the holy grail open source fanatics claim it to be, who can't seem to realize that software like Max or Maya is leaps beyond in most areas.
These shorts you're posting, which I've seen before, prove nothing. You can make what's there, and better, in any of the big apps, it's how you get to the result that matters.
It's no point in even running down features and doing comparisons, because people like you will always be so infatuated (you even used the word love about a program) with what they use it's like talking to a brick wall. To all others it's just a tool, and you use the best tool available. If I were to just compare Blenders modeling workflow to Modo's it'll fall so far behind it's not even funny.
I have no idea what work environment you're in, but if Blender is what they're using, good luck.
I don't even care what your opinion is, or want to discuss with you. I say this for everyone else, so that they're warned, and don't think that Blender is in the same class as Max, Maya, Modo, XSI, etc. Even Silo stomps on Blender as far as modeling goes.
If you plan on getting a job in the industry you will need to learn Max or Maya at some point if you transition from other apps it doesn't really matter as long as you're confident with how either works when you apply.
If you just want to model some low poly, props & characters with some basic animation as well as learn the Max/Maya interface, you can grab Gmax or MayaPLE. Neither renders but no one bothers with that in the industry.
If you're looking to just make some neat 3D stuff in your spare time, then it doesn't mater what you go with, whatever floats your boat and suits your needs.
clockwork i have both maya and max, haven't tried xsi or modo but those are likely more geared towards my taste. i've taken a pretty thorough look at blender, and i guarantee you'd be surprised at its functionality and speed. i personally find it to be the fastest for nearly all modeling and retopology.
it has my favorite interactive insert edge loop, also edge slide, target weld, create face from any vertices/edges selected with F for basic modeling. i used to use max for lofting/extruding along curves or arraying objects along curves etc, but it's all possible in blender. the shrinkwrap modifier has become my fastest retopo feature. i also absolutely love the quick shortcut for orienting the transform widget to selected components. the only real thing blender lacks in modeling is a decent cut/split polygon comparable, as the "knife" tool it uses is absolutely terrible. other than that, most of the polyboost tools or new graphite functions have been in blender for ages and nobody cares to look.
Think it's ridiculous all you want, but I'd advise against using Blender all day long. Alpha or not.
It's fine for hobbyists, and fine for students, if you just want to learn about the basics (and beyond) of 3D. But it's not the holy grail open source fanatics claim it to be, who can't seem to realize that software like Max or Maya is leaps beyond in most areas.
These shorts you're posting, which I've seen before, prove nothing. You can make what's there, and better, in any of the big apps, it's how you get to the result that matters.
It's no point in even running down features and doing comparisons, because people like you will always be so infatuated (you even used the word love about a program) with what they use it's like talking to a brick wall. To all others it's just a tool, and you use the best tool available. If I were to just compare Blenders modeling workflow to Modo's it'll fall so far behind it's not even funny.
I have no idea what work environment you're in, but if Blender is what they're using, good luck.
I don't even care what your opinion is, or want to discuss with you. I say this for everyone else, so that they're warned, and don't think that Blender is in the same class as Max, Maya, Modo, XSI, etc. Even Silo stomps on Blender as far as modeling goes.
clockwork i have both maya and max, haven't tried xsi or modo but those are likely more geared towards my taste. i've taken a pretty thorough look at blender, and i guarantee you'd be surprised
I wouldn't be surprised by anything, since I've used Blender extensively, I can't remember when I first tried it, but it's at least 6-8 years ago. And I've continue to check out versions since then, and once 2.5 is in at least beta, I will check it out again. I wouldn't talk about it if I didn't know it well. I've even talked about Blender on this forum in previous posts. I've used all 3D apps.
Note: I'm not saying Blender is bad, it's actually a very good tool, especially considering price. But I still think it falls way behind compared to most other apps, especially modeling. You obviously like it, I'm not trying to change your mind. Personally I'd take Modo, Hexagon or Silo any day over modeling in Blender.
I suggest you get an eval copy of Modo before you say another word about how good modeling in Blender is. Then you could even see what a proper customizable interface should be like, and what it can do for your workflow. Not to mention creating your own tools on the fly.
alot drama queen in this post
Traditional modeling own's it all :thumbup:
ok but everybody must test everything to has a overview what you
can do with all these, that is my point
It's just tool, forget the ideology of " wow it free " the important thing is what you know
do!
If you can do Pixar animation with Paint Brush you are god and I'm your fan!
got it ?
You dont know the moral of this story? An old man is obsessed by the technology soo much that he doesnt want to leave it. Instead he tries to convince the other person to accept it, who doesnt want to. Evenatually that "other person" accepts it and than shows the old man that it can be used for evil. And the old man stops him, and stops convincing him.
I think :S
But it was one of the greatest animation I've seen before BBB made in blender.
Animating in blender 2.49 is quite nice. I'm basing my opinion on the fact that I've also animated in max, xsi, lw, messiah and motion builder in the past if that gives some perspective. 2.5 will definitely improve on the experience, but I'm not using it for any projects until it makes its way out of alpha/beta. I'll stick with 2.49 till then. I'm mostly using 2.5 to mess around with config/UI experiments so that I can just dive in and customize the crap out of it for my needs when it is final. I'll check out the occasional bmesh build too just to see how it is coming along.
I don't have any experience with Cinema 4D. Just be aware that depending what you want to do you may need some of the extra Modules that are not included with the base $995.00 Cinema 4D Core version. I hear that Maxon charges quite a bit of money for each extra module. If you go with the full Cinema 4D package from the start it's listing for $3,695.00, for that amount of money I'd just go with one of the big 3 Autodesk apps instead.
I don't have any experience with Cinema 4D. Just be aware that depending what you want to do you may need some of the extra Modules that are not included with the base $995.00 Cinema 4D Core version. I hear that Maxon charges quite a bit of money for each extra module. If you go with the full Cinema 4D package from the start it's listing for $3,695.00, for that amount of money I'd just go with one of the big 3 Autodesk apps instead.
Yeah same here, apcept I can't afford one of their big apps.
Maybe some money will show up somehow.
As a professional animator, I like blender a lot. Since it's free you can give it a serous try before you spend any hard earned money.
Also, if you stated your purpose or goals we can give you better feedback. For example if you are going to do contract work, you'll more than likely need to use whatever software your contractor tells you.
monster, what are your thoughts on Animation Master? I'm experienced in animating/rigging in Maya, but I'm looking for something else to animate with for my personal work.
Replies
softimage xsi mod tool
Lightwave $895 + Messiah $399
So $1294 which includes a possible free upgrade to the next version of Lighwave, Lightwave CORE.
Blender $0
Note that blender 2.5 alpha 2 is out, UI seems much more mainstream than the old Blender 2.49.
Modo $995 if you don't need smooth skinned animation it can do it, example.
[ame]
and it's only gotten better since then, though i currently only use it for modeling.
www.blender.org
oh ya it's free
[ame]
[ame]
this one just happens to be awesome
if you're not comfortable using 2.5 in it's alpha state, you're not forced to. they still have stable 2.49 on the site, and the alpha 2.5 is clearly labeled as alpha testing. thus far i'm loving it, and to say that it's useless in a production environment is kind of ridiculous
It's fine for hobbyists, and fine for students, if you just want to learn about the basics (and beyond) of 3D. But it's not the holy grail open source fanatics claim it to be, who can't seem to realize that software like Max or Maya is leaps beyond in most areas.
These shorts you're posting, which I've seen before, prove nothing. You can make what's there, and better, in any of the big apps, it's how you get to the result that matters.
It's no point in even running down features and doing comparisons, because people like you will always be so infatuated (you even used the word love about a program) with what they use it's like talking to a brick wall. To all others it's just a tool, and you use the best tool available. If I were to just compare Blenders modeling workflow to Modo's it'll fall so far behind it's not even funny.
I have no idea what work environment you're in, but if Blender is what they're using, good luck.
I don't even care what your opinion is, or want to discuss with you. I say this for everyone else, so that they're warned, and don't think that Blender is in the same class as Max, Maya, Modo, XSI, etc. Even Silo stomps on Blender as far as modeling goes.
If you plan on getting a job in the industry you will need to learn Max or Maya at some point if you transition from other apps it doesn't really matter as long as you're confident with how either works when you apply.
If you just want to model some low poly, props & characters with some basic animation as well as learn the Max/Maya interface, you can grab Gmax or MayaPLE. Neither renders but no one bothers with that in the industry.
If you're looking to just make some neat 3D stuff in your spare time, then it doesn't mater what you go with, whatever floats your boat and suits your needs.
it has my favorite interactive insert edge loop, also edge slide, target weld, create face from any vertices/edges selected with F for basic modeling. i used to use max for lofting/extruding along curves or arraying objects along curves etc, but it's all possible in blender. the shrinkwrap modifier has become my fastest retopo feature. i also absolutely love the quick shortcut for orienting the transform widget to selected components. the only real thing blender lacks in modeling is a decent cut/split polygon comparable, as the "knife" tool it uses is absolutely terrible. other than that, most of the polyboost tools or new graphite functions have been in blender for ages and nobody cares to look.
Point to where blender touched you on the doll.
Here's what it can do regarding animation: http://vimeo.com/2274969
they haven't even started working on the animation or modeling beta, modeling first then animation after Alpha 1
I wouldn't be surprised by anything, since I've used Blender extensively, I can't remember when I first tried it, but it's at least 6-8 years ago. And I've continue to check out versions since then, and once 2.5 is in at least beta, I will check it out again. I wouldn't talk about it if I didn't know it well. I've even talked about Blender on this forum in previous posts. I've used all 3D apps.
Note: I'm not saying Blender is bad, it's actually a very good tool, especially considering price. But I still think it falls way behind compared to most other apps, especially modeling. You obviously like it, I'm not trying to change your mind. Personally I'd take Modo, Hexagon or Silo any day over modeling in Blender.
I suggest you get an eval copy of Modo before you say another word about how good modeling in Blender is. Then you could even see what a proper customizable interface should be like, and what it can do for your workflow. Not to mention creating your own tools on the fly.
The OP wasn't asking about modeling, he is looking for an inexpensive alternative for animation.
Traditional modeling own's it all
ok but everybody must test everything to has a overview what you
can do with all these, that is my point
It's just tool, forget the ideology of " wow it free " the important thing is what you know
do!
If you can do Pixar animation with Paint Brush you are god and I'm your fan!
got it ?
You dont know the moral of this story? An old man is obsessed by the technology soo much that he doesnt want to leave it. Instead he tries to convince the other person to accept it, who doesnt want to. Evenatually that "other person" accepts it and than shows the old man that it can be used for evil. And the old man stops him, and stops convincing him.
I think :S
But it was one of the greatest animation I've seen before BBB made in blender.
Maybe some money will show up somehow.
79.99 for one year, or 299.99 to buy.
http://www.hash.com/
Examples: http://www.youtube.com/hashinc2007
Blender 2.49
Free
http://www.blender.org/
A few years ago I was really looking forward to Reflex. But it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
http://www.digitalfish.com/products/animators/
As a professional animator, I like blender a lot. Since it's free you can give it a serous try before you spend any hard earned money.
Also, if you stated your purpose or goals we can give you better feedback. For example if you are going to do contract work, you'll more than likely need to use whatever software your contractor tells you.