Ok time for a new thing here at MSFN

This is a topic to discuss your 3d creations, but before we start some program reviews, tuturials and resources. (thanks HawVer from Tweakers.net for parts of this tuturial/guide.)


3ds max
Pros:
Clear UI
Lots of plugins
Lots of tutorials
Cons
Not so fast

Maya-Maya
Pros:
Lots of functions
Lots of plugins
Lots of tutorials
Cons
On higher level alot of scripting
Maybe too advanced for newbies

Lightwave 3D
Pros:
Clear UI
Good materials editor
LScript language for scriped animations/objects and own tools/plugins.
Output direct to DV camera. (from version 8.0)
Interface can be fully customized. (shortcut keys too)
The default render engine is complete, GI and Caustics are standard..
Cons
There is a maximum of 65k points per object till version 7.5cMaximaal 65k points per object t/m versie 7.5c.
There is only 1 alternative render available, FPrime from Worley Labs, so it's quite restricted if you compare with Brazil and FinalRender for 3ds max.

Softimage XSI
Pros:
Complete integration of Mental Ray
Render Region
Integrated Compositor
Scriptable
Very good in poly-modelling
Cons
No previews of Materials like in 3ds max , maya lightwave etc.

Cinema 4D
Pros:
Famous because of it's render
Cons
None known yet



Brazil Rendering System(3ds max)
Final Render(3ds max)
Vray Render(3ds max)
Renderman
Mental Ray
Insight



Project: Joan of Arc - 3dTotal for 3ds max
The basics of HDRI - Splutterfish for 3ds max and Brazil
Brazil Glass for 3ds max and Brazil
Learning Maya
3DCafe tutorials



Computer Graphic Talk
3DTotal
Maxforums



Suurland blueprints
Onno van Braam blueprints
HighEnd3DTraining - Tools
Neil Blevins Realism 3D

Ok that was it... if you have more resources, programs or whatever just reply and i will add it to this post.

Show some creations people

What about anim8or.com?

Linkage: http://www.anim8or.com/main/

Pros:
Free

Cons:
None

I just started learning maya 6.5. It's a great programm, but i still wonder wheather i should continue with maya or switch to 3d max. I don't like the fact you have to script.

really interesting, i've got a couple of 3ds max books so i want to learn a few basics.
thanks for links

Okay guys I use Softimage XSI 5.0
Currently working and reworking a few models for a ExoSquad Fan movie
A lot of help came from DIGITAL TUTORS, though you have to pay for their videos I think they are good enough to warrant the price.
Videos and how-to's are no substitution for exploring the program on your own and continued practice.

here is phaetons head and the resolute in progress


A little more tweaking to the head mesh, almost done with the body


brought out the e-frame model, and added more detail to the resolute, but I'm unsure of scale of the two.
I also completed work on a broken pillar, yay!


Random shot playing around with Depth of Field camera effects.





REVIEW

Modeling
It has some great tools like the "tweak tool" which, IF you've ever used Z-Brush allows you to sculpt your object much easier then moving points, edges, OR polygons one at a time.

Animation
Personally I feel the bones in XSI do not compare to less hyped up but equally functional bones in Maya 6. XSI tries to tack on restrictions to joint movement that are supposed to make it easier to animate... well adding a restriction to any movement inhibits animation, so IF you love to animate stay away from "Preferred Rotation Angles" AND XSI. OR dump the IK and run in pure FK although even then you'll have to tweak you parenting so that certain bones don't make the bones connected to it spin wildly out of control.

Rendering
Has a nice render region tool for quick rendering of parts of your scene, it also has ambient occlusion that you can add to the render pass or material to add extra depth or contrast to your model in final compositing. It has a render tree and a preview for blending your render passes like you would layers in photoshop, it also uses layers in texturing, again just like photoshop. ( In my phaeton image I used about 4 or 5 layers on his chest to make the various colors, symbols, and damage to his suit. )

Overall I think it's a powerful program, too many functions to go over in detail, a bit harder to learn then say Maya, pre Autodesk since I've only used the Alias versions.








What do you mean you have to script in Maya? I used it without scripting, although like most high end 3D applications they allow scripting for those that like to customize their own renderings or shaders, or just about anything.

Martin L , thanks for your links.

First let me state, this is the game creator and animation concept specialist in me speaking. 3d IS NOT ART AT ALL at least more recently. People have turned it into something that is unatural, unrecievable, unreasonable by most recent examples.

When 3d was all over the place in the homes of people who could never afford it where it was on SNES and Saturn systems it was reasonable. Even then with the internet being restricted and expensive it was a grand thing. However now with all the data flowing 2d may it be 3d art has turn to nothing but rubbish over the years.

Well perviously I was looking into 3d animation programs, tweaks, tutorials and examples. I wish to share some of the stuff I have gathered but I have no space to upload it freely, perhaps when I finish my webpage I will. Asides from that I will say.

I am currently have been to colleges and I have seen pitiful excusses to throw out film development to standardized animation. Ever since the western 3d boom ( the one where we can seperate a black man from a indian ) I have seen nothing but cheap shots into the wallets and hearts of billions. Empowering writers who have no idea of the world asides the daily news.

While I know that you most likely ( tutored ) the need to draw in order to create something in 3d program like the ones you put up above, I feel 3d and any illistartor design is not artfull and should not be looked at as direct examples.


MAYA

is about the most easiest one to use but is the most expensive one to use. Remember earlier versions of MAYA has been used in mulitmillion dollar movies. So while you have all these extra features in later series it is nothing special.
However I forget the systems ( most likely SUN ) is used alot in production.


Maya can convert 3d types???

This is the one thing that intrest me the most about MAYA. Is how you can downvert and convert polygon data to other programs. MAYA can also read data from other programs.


XSI

Is a newcomer and has been used alot in high production. Is also expensive.


LightWave I heard is the more affordable of the programs along side 3ds max

Then there is VRcreator is a earlier program and what I like it works on lower end PC's with enough power which should be most. I had a copy for awhile until I steped on the Disc.

About tutorials. All Tutorials are the same for all programs but the controls is scattered about. This is what makes people make tutorials all over the place.



Why turn it into a fan movie why not make your own video and feature on a VCD with a alternative title?

Also those renderings looks nice aside the skull apears somewhat smaller from what I remember the original animation.

Don't show anything untill you get the character to walk around. Even on the grey background

Personally I would really like to see the new clone brother start fighting each other. It reminds me how they created a cloned Sigma in the MMX series named Signas.