Hi I am soon thinking about making my own items for use in my images can anyone recommend the best software for making them for use in poser and can you use photographs in these programs as a basis for building meshes.I am planning on trying to make some flexible Scuba diving fins.
I already have the ones from daz but I would like some like the ones that I use which are a special design and called Force fins. Check out the web site to see an example and thanks again for your help. I have Lightwave and 3Dmax available to me but have not had the need to use them till now as I have some cool images in my mind that I would like to create. This is an example of the Fins http://www.forcefin.com/FF_PAGES/FF_Products/proforce_product.htm

any help or tips greatly appreciated.

Regards

Keith

Each of the major players 3D Studio MAX, Rhino, Maya, etc have their own pros and cons. I use all of them for different reasons. I reckon 3D studio MAX is the most used and best supported so I would go with 3D studio MAX. As for using photographs... You can look at them for reference but that's about it. Checkout the 3ds max forum here for more info.

i like lightwave. for some reason, i had a real hard time learning max, and gave up. each modeller has its own different appeals to individuals. see what is easiest for you.

Me too using 3DMax. But I think it's the program you first worked with that you stuck with. I read some books about it to learn and even if a program would come much easier I would still stay with good old MAX.

Why not try a good FREE modeler. WINGS is a very good app to learn with. There is a forum here for it with a lot of great help. There is a link to the D/L here in the Wings Forum. Sorry to say the ones mentioned here are a very expensive. Don't spend money till you know what it take to model. There are other FREE apps too. Look in the modeling forum, you'll find a whole bunch.

Yes, you can use reference photos in most good modeling apps. I call them 'rotoscopes', but I suppose it could be called anything depending on the app you're using.

I've found that a time-saver in Carrara, too.

I use AutoCAD 2002, but it is not that good for organic models....mostly mechanical....Sharen

Oops. Second that on trying a free modeller or a demo. With all the good freeware (wings) or demos (Maya) around, is sillynes in the extreme to buy software then find out you don't enjoy modelling (or are no good at it).

Why not go by the Modeling forum? there's several links there..you can get Anim8tor, or Blender for free as well..I think there's even an old copy of Truespace floating around..though the interfaces can be puzzling..I'd try Wings (a dedicated user..;)

Thanks all for you help, you have given me lots to think about and I shall try the free apps first and hope the learning curve is not to steep. Regards Keith