I have been trolling some of the free 3d apps out there and are wondering about peoples experiences with them (both good and bad). I'm trying out Wings 3D and Blender at the moment myself.
I have tried and are trying some comercial packages
Hash Animation Master 9.0
Poser 4.03
Vue4.22 + Mover4.22
Maya PLE (good but damn that watermark!)

So far I like the Poser, Vue & Mover combination, while Wings 3d makes a great prop modeler (even if the scale difference is way out).
What are other peoples thoughts and experiances on 3D apps?

Attached Link: http://www.fyrene.org/

Anim8tor is interesting, it's 1 file, and fits on a floppy, but you can model at least as well as wings with it (differently, but about the same..;)

Keep your eyes peeled for Computer Art, Digit, 3d World magazines, especially back issues, I've gotten Carrara, Cinema 4d, Poser 3, Amapi 5.15, Strata, etc., for the price of a magazine. I started with Amapi 4.15 (which might still be out there for free, though I've heard the link don't work no mo..:|), then Strata, moved to Anim8tor, and the Wings..which explains my convoluted style..;)

for PDQ spaceships, look for a program called Doga L-1 (the free one, 2 and 3 cost, but not much). Check freestuff here for Gearmaker, Rod and Tube maker, Spiralizer, etc., which are tiny but usefel free ones. Elefont makes 3d letters, and I think is on the same site as Spiralizer..hang tite..

There was once out there a site that had a whole list of free modelers (several sites, one's Polish, but I can't find it right now..:| Here's one that may be what you're looking for..there should be enough above to get you started..

I made a huge database/web page with a thousand or more links, I could send you a copy (about 220k or so), if you IM me..have a long list of free apps..or used ta be free, or used ta be there, etc..;)

Message edited on: 07/29/2004 22:34

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)

Hmm, well we all want freedom of choice until you actualy get it. Sounds like there is more choice out there than I thought I knew! (a thousand links!) Perhaps Renderosity should have a free application section in the Free Stuff area? What format is your database?

Attached Link: http://www.amapi.net/amapi.php?va1=ZG93bmxvYWRz

Get Amapi 4.15 or 5.15 (better) from this link. It's a French site, but if you don't speak the language the links are clear enough. Mick ;)

there were 2 sites out there; one was Polish and had about 40-50 programs, but was heavy on older platforms (can't remember the name, ray-something [ray-dream?], but fairly complete list of all the ones connected to it), and another that someone did for a project, which had later versions that were more standalone, about 50, that they did as a project.

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)

Attached Link: http://www.forum3d.kom-net.pl/f3dbb/index.php?md=topic&tid=57848

Pretty sure that this is the Polish site that pakled has mentioned.

swishy

Attached Link: http://www.blender3d.com/

Blender 3D looks like a promising program. I have just started the tutorials and what not to learn how to use it, but it's free and I have seen a lot of incredible images coming from their site I recommend you check it out. It's meant to be a full featured but free open source program.

spiraliser and elefont are armanisoft.com. Played with those since .... dunno, but i do have some images from '98 lying around... ~S

thanks swishy..I should do something like..uh..hang tite..I just chopped out the modeler section of the URL list I have, try these..;)

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)