For any of you who haven't yet discovered the great UK computer art magazines, you should know that they're a great source for free software. The three best ones are: Computer Arts- http://www.computerarts.co.uk/ 3D World- http://www.3dworldmag.com/ Digit- http://www.digitmag.co.uk/ Also, PC Plus and PC Format have something cool from time to time, although they're not really art mags. Of course, they have some good articles and tons of great demos, too (3DS Max, Lightwave, Maya, you name it). But as a source of free (legal) software, they're invaluable. The programs are mostly older versions, but they're usually pretty useful just the same, and there's usually an opportunity to get the newest version at a discount price. Here are some of the better full, free programs they've given away in the last several months: Poser 3 Vue d'Esprit 2.0 (landscape generation and scene creation) Cinema 4D 5.2 SE (modeling and scenes) Amapi 5.1 (GREAT modeler) Expression 2 LE (2D paint program) Canvas 6 (paint and photo editing program) Gmax (modeling) ...and those are just a few off the top of my head that I've snatched up (except Amapi, because I already have v6). In America, you can usually find these at Barnes and Noble stores (but not online), Borders (or so I hear; there isn't one in my area), and maybe elsewhere. And you can order new issues online at their websites, and sometimes back issues (that varies from mag to mag). Just a little public service announcement. ;)

That is nice of you to keep us informed, thank you for this. Sharen

x2k, I have definately seen at least a couple of them at my local Borders.

Do you know whether you can order back issues with the software? I couldn't find the May issue to Digit anywhere. Not only didn't my Borders have it, they were not interested in helping me find it of order it for the future.

I find them at Borders, but I haven't seen Digit anywhere in the Portland area. I've heard people talk about it, but I don't remember ever seeing it at either Borders or Barnes and Noble here. Is it in the same format as the others, with the CD on the cover? I've had three different versions of trueSpace from these magazines. Full programs, not just demos. I think it's great that they do this. The magazines are a little more spendy than average, but well worth it with all the software they give away with it. Melanie

I've just got the most recent copy of Computer Arts mag, it's got a free version of D Sculptor 1.0. It's a program for creating models. Plonk a real model onto a print-out with some points of reference on it, take sixteen photos of the model, feed them into the computer, do some masking and a few more bits of reference and Bob's your uncle, you've got a virtual model complete with texture map. Apparently it cost 500 ($750) originally so my subscription just paid for itself yet again. I have both Computer Arts and Digit on subscription and I live in the UK so I get mine about a month before they come out in the States. Yes, they're pricey, yes they're bound to be UK centred but, they report all the news no matter where and look at what you save on software. Also, the quality is excellent....

Super, I needed to update my magazine bookmarks! Anybody know of any other links? = )

Saxon - I went looking for a homepage of D Sculptor 1.0, but came up empty, do you have any links I may be interested in? = )

These things are positively invaluable. Once I get hold of a bigger hard drive, I'm going to have a field day installing and trying to learn to model using some of the stuff I've accumulated. Hmm... looks like my collection is a wee bit out of date! Barbarellany, you might check the small ads in the backs of current issues-- people often advertise collections or individual back issues for sale with the CDs. Computer Arts sells back issues until they run out; I don't know about the others.

Oh, BTW, all of these mags have had or are having copies of Maya Personal Learning Edition on their cover CD's. I know a lot of people have complained about having problems downloading it, so here's the answer. Although I'm not sure why anyone would want it unless they're in a position of being able to actually afford Maya, because it's only good for just that: learning to use Maya. It doesn't export and the huge, horrible watermarks make it useless for even making renders. But if you want it, it's available. Also, just FYI, although it's not actually scheduled for any magazine disc that I know of (yet, but I'm sure it will be), Newtek is going to be releasing a similar version of Lightwave, the Free Discovery Edition, apparently with the same obnoxious watermarking. Personally, I prefer the Discreet Gmax approach: strip out some features, but make the others useful. You can't render with Gmax, but it has most of the modeling tools (and powerful tools they are!) and, with the Tempest game Pack installed (also free), can export .md3 (Quake 3) files, which can be converted in other programs (Milkshape for one) into more usable formats like .3ds or .obj. But anyway, there's so much great free legal software out there that there's really no excuse for anyone using warez and no reason that anyone who has Poser can't make models or morph targets or create some really great pics without spending an arm and a leg on software. I only wish I'd realized that before I spent an arm and a leg on software...;)

Attached Link: http://www.d-vw.com/

Good God! D Sculptor's British! How did that happen?...

talkin' about spendin' an arm and a leg on modellin' software which i still haven't figured out how to use....i'm lookin' for a really basic 3dsm tutorial
i've checked some of the tuts on here but as i've never really attempted usin' it yet i could do with somethin' simple.....really simple :) any and all help would be great and stop me wishin' i'd not ditched milkshape and moved up to 3dsm ta muchly Ever

For some great 3ds max tutorials, use the ones provided with the manual. Paul

Your Preaching to the choir, I have been a Future mag junkie since I discovered 3D world, the ones you mentioned are, by far, the best, also CGI magazine and you like music Future Music and Computer Music are must have for all the free samples, I spend far too much money on magazines but I must have every title you mentioned, are all of them "future" titles? It seems all the good ones are. Too band the US has nothing to compare, the latest Digit has teh Maya learning edition, the one that won't download and takes forever to mail in for, too cool, and the reviews and news are must haves.

Link to Digit website

Single issues of Digit (with the cover CD) can be purchased directly from the website. For back issues, email requests to backissues@digitmag.co.uk with your name, delivery address, payment details, and desired issue number. Prices per back issue are 7.99 UK, 8.99 Europe, and 9.99 everywhere else (and that includes postage).

I purchased the May 2002 edition (issue #47) from the website for the free copy of Credo's Life Forms 3.5 and all the motion-capture files (a godsend for animators). It arrived in only a week.

Ah, Little Dragon comes through again. I looked all over for that magazine when it was posted here the first time. Should have known just to ask :)) You're incredibly organized LD! Kudos to you!

LittleDragon knows everything!

in canada they are at chapters stores