Hi everyone.

After some bad experiences with Cinema4D (can see my other threads) which is still my favourite renderer, I`m asking what would be the best modeler for Poser/Daz props like architecture, vehicles and other gadgets? Not so interested in clothing...

Also got Carrara which I think is very limited in it`s functions.

Anything which can export obj format.  Doesn't matter what you use, so long as you're comfortable with it.  Many of us use Wings, which is free.  Others use Blender (also free) and yet others swear by MAX or Lightwave (which ain't free).

Wings would be the best, but I always have problem with big models (building etc.) It is hard to set crease angle and I must create more polygons that I need.

I do not know if another software have the same problem.

Check out Modo too.

http://www.luxology.com/

not free but not a bank loan is hexagon ! very easy to use

If you want to create architecture, whatever modelling program you choose be sure it works well with Sketchup. (export/import). There are reasons for Sketchup popularity among professional architects. I am talking of people who have used 3ds max since the beginning.

Sketchup alone is not enough though, you must have a 'real' modeling program to complement it. For example C4D which works well with Sketchup. Also you need the professional version of Sketchup...

To clarify, you can use any modeling program you want that will export to .obj format (Wavefront obj). Most do these days. You don't need one thing or another...only what works best for you that has the one above requirement.

Laurie

As LaurieA said, any 3D program novadays works with obj files. More important is that you check that your program works with Collada. For instance, if you use Collade when importing to Sketchup the model will remember its exact coordinates when you import it back into your high-end program, and snap into place.

Why bother with Sketchup at all you may ask? Because you work 10 times faster in Sketchup. Compared to Cinema 4D for instance or any other of the 'big' programs.

     Almost any modeler will make meshes suitable for Poser.  I think what will be more important is finding which modeler works the way you want to work;  that is, find the modeler which fits your way of thinking and problem solving.

     Unfortunately, you'll just have to try some to find out which one fits you best.

     My comfortable old shoe is Silo - $159 US for the Pro license, good for three computers.  http://nevercenter.com/silo/

     When I need to do weird stuff like a tapering radial array or 3D tunneling (kind of a "nuclear option" for Booleans), I break out modo - $995 US, with a license that permits installation on all of your computers, though you can only have it open on one at any time.  modo is also a full-on rendering studio.   http://www.luxology.com/modo/index.aspx

     I have licenses for Shade LE and Hexagon, but haven't used them much.  Just didn't fit me.  I also have LightWave 10, but haven't even tried modeling in it, so I have no opinion either way on it as yet.

Are you using hard/soft edges in wings?  It is actually recommended practice when modeling to bevel hard edges >>very<< slightly as a final step, and Poser does much better with meshes made this way.  The most important thing is to look at the object's crease angle in its properties.  Set it to whatever value looks good for each object.  If your object (e.g. a house) had 90 degree edges before beveling, the beveled edges will be 45 degrees.  You'd want the crease angle to be less than that to keep those edges looking sharp in Poser.  I recommend lowering the setting until you see something creased you think should be smooth, then raising it enough to smooth that area.  

This room and its props were modeled in Wings, and if you look closely you can see how the beveled edges much improve the look of the props.

Don't worry so much about polygon counts unless you are also using the models in a game engine or realtime renderer (or just use two sets of models).  While doing this project, I noticed that geometry had much less to do with render times than the number and size of textures used and how much of the image used transparency.  The slowest part of the scene to render is the window, as Poser has to combine the reflectivity of the window surface with the background through the (not fully) transparent window.

Moogal has it spot on.  It's an accepted part of modelling for Poser to add a small "fillet" around the edges of a hard, uh, edge.

I know. I make all models in wings. I use tricks with "tripled" edges and hard edges.

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/bcs/photos/prodimg16/product_image_full_160344.jpg

But if you want create huge polygons - not table but house wall it can generate weird artifacts. It is not a problem if you divide 1 wall for 4 parts, but if you must divide number of walls in number of houses (for example street) you can have very high res scene ;)

This project involved animation, so these images at 1200x900 only needed about 45 sec. to render on my year+ old quad-core.  There is one overhead point light in the room for shadows/highlights, two diffuse-only fill lights, one very distant point light outside to shine through the window, and a shadowless diffuse light pointing up to simulate ambient lighting.  No raytraced reflections or complex shaders, just well chosen environment maps on the various materials.  I was very pleased when I finally got it down to under a minute per frame.

Quote - I know. I make all models in wings. I use tricks with "tripled" edges and hard edges.

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/bcs/photos/prodimg16/product_image_full_160344.jpg

But if you want create huge polygons - not table but house wall it can generate weird artifacts. It is not a problem if you divide 1 wall for 4 parts, but if you must divide number of walls in number of houses (for example street) you can have very high res scene ;)

That sounds like a different problem.  Are you having problems with clipping, or are you getting the stripe artifacts that occur with non-volumetric (single sided) objects?  I just pay very careful attention to the edges I select to bevel, and avoid beveling edges of any polygons that are co-planar.

Summary - I had to add something like V4 to the scene.

Quote - Hi everyone.

After some bad experiences with Cinema4D (can see my other threads) which is still my favourite renderer, I`m asking what would be the best modeler for Poser/Daz props like architecture, vehicles and other gadgets? Not so interested in clothing...

Also got Carrara which I think is very limited in it`s functions.

C4d IS a great modeller for Poser. Check my gallery, all the images with clothes that I say I made were made in C4d. There are some pretty complex things in them. You just avoid using boolean operations. I live very well without those.

Quote - C4d IS a great modeller for Poser. Check my gallery, all the images with clothes that I say I made were made in C4d. There are some pretty complex things in them. You just avoid using boolean operations. I live very well without those.

I think you need to avoid booleans in pretty much any modeling program..lol. I've rarely seen them go well :P.

Laurie

Thanks all of you.

I still prefere staying with Cinema, use if for years now.(But not every day, so some functions are still quite weird for me). Yesterday exported a model to Poser without any distortions, but this time some textures behaved mysterious. Keeping on working on it.

Will also take a look on Wing.

Quote - Thanks all of you.

I still prefere staying with Cinema, use if for years now.(But not every day, so some functions are still quite weird for me). Yesterday exported a model to Poser without any distortions, but this time some textures behaved mysterious. Keeping on working on it.

Will also take a look on Wing.

Good choice. Best software is "your favourite software".

Comp ... if you stick with C4D, I strongly recommend getting the Interposer Pro plug-in if you don't already have it. You will be able to load content (materials, morphs, and all) and work with it directly within C4D. Brilliant plug in.

http://www.kuroyumes-developmentzone.com/interposer-pro/

Quote - I think you need to avoid booleans in pretty much any modeling program..lol. I've rarely seen them go well :P. Laurie

Not entirely - 3DS Max makes a pretty good job if you use probooleans but I prefer not to use them if I can avoid it :)