The following is something that I've documented and have been copying and pasting in a lot of places. I'm not doing this as blatant advertisement but as resource to the freeware apps that I've found VERY useful as well draw attention in return for these programmers being kind enough to offer their programs free of charge. I'm a noobie, myself. =)

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Hey all, 

 

Just dropping in here to share some free graphics apps with the artistically inclined amongst you all.

 

Back about ten years ago I spent hordes on 'How to' books concerning 3D modeling and science. At the time this software was nowhere near as free as it is today nor easy to use and smooth to run as it is on home PCs today.

 

I can draw in 2D but I'm am absolute novice with 3D sculpting.

 

First up is the Japanese polygonal modeler Metasequoia translated for english users but doesn't have very much support outside of Japan. I've been downloading and trying out all sorts of free polygon-based modeling programs and , by far, this has been the fluent and easy to use with a large enough tool set to establish an basic model.

 

http://www.metaseq.net/english/

 

Next, another polygonal-based modeler. GMax is an extremely lite feature of 3D Studio Max and offers a lot more control and larger tool set than Metasequoia however support and production of this software ended many moons ago. You'll also have to search the net for the Listener Grabber and export to obj script in order to get your models out of Gmax and into any other program.

 

http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax

 

The following are two clay-style modelers. Unlike the polygonal-based software these are so easy to use that hardly any experience is needed at all to make something semi-decent. I use CB Model Pro, like I do the polygonal modelers, to make the basic models. Sculptris is absolutely awesome for taking in those basic models and adding the finer details to them.

 

http://www.cbmodelpro.com/

 

http://www.sculptris.com/

 

Even if you have no interest in art or design, I would still highly suggest watching the Sculptris demonstration while keeping in mind that the program is currently free.

 

This next program is for material & texutre editing along with painting of your models. The paint feature allows you to paint directly onto the model as you rotate it around the view window. Spoke with the developer briefly and he will be updating this program in a couple months time so there hasn't been heavy adverts for it but I would still recommend downloading and giving it a spin. I've tried both Blacksmith and Tatto but still feel this to be more practical and easier to use of the three. I was highly impressed.

 

http://www.futurepaint3d.com/

 

Note that, unlike the rest of the software in this post, Future Paint 3D is not freeware - it's on a timed thirty day trial but still deserves a look in anticipation of the newer version that will be out soon. Price wise though it costs about the same as a new Playstation 2 game so it's greatly affordable compared to apps like Deep Paint and Body Paint.

 

Finally, not 3D, but a powerful photo editor and 2D art program that could easily rival older $600 versions of Photoshop and uses the same interface and tools is the completely free G.I.M.P. (GNU Image Manipulation Program).

 

http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

 

I mostly have made this thread to help advertise for and support the designers, who've worked so hard to make these programs, as they have made them free to the public while they are still in early development stages. I also love stumbling upon links to free software when Googling. So for lurkers whom have Googled upon this, these links were valid as of June 5th 2010. =)

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Ultimately, the easiest modeler that I've used and use the most is Metasequoia. Sculptris and CB Model are must haves but I feel that they are too easy to use, therefore cheating and you won't learn as much as you will from polygonal-based modelers. =)