To the artists here

wr8th · #1 March 22nd, 2002, 09:32 PM

who've created some !nice! original shipsets.... What software do you use? Is it shareware?

Kinboat · #2 March 22nd, 2002, 10:11 PM

I use POVRay it can be found here I believe www.povray.org

With that I use Moray, which is a graphical interface using POVRay... Both are shareware

http://www.stmuc.com/moray/index.html

They aren't huge downloads and well worth it if your interested in 3d modeling... There are other programs out there but since I don't know much about them I'll let others mention them.

zen. · #3 March 22nd, 2002, 10:19 PM

Hi! Try this thread:

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...3&t=003606&p=2

Val · #4 March 22nd, 2002, 11:45 PM

On the thread Zenbudo pointed you to there is a program called DoGA, which I think is one of the easiest programs to use for shipset modeling. It lets you make a decent set without needing to know a lot about CAD products.

ColdSteel · #5 March 23rd, 2002, 12:27 AM

Has anyone tried out Gmax yet? I've installed Gmax 1.1 and it looks great but I haven't actually tried making anything yet. I have been using Moray until now. The best thing about Gmax is that its free and designed for game modders (like us).

You can get it at http://www.discreet.com/products/gmax/
This is what the blurb on the site says about it (in part):

"Based on the world's best selling 3D modeling, animation and rendering platform,
3ds max�, gmax� is actually two distinct products:

1. gmax, available free of charge from the web for consumers, allows game players to create, customize, and exchange their own game content Online.

2. gmax developer Version for 3ds max 4 (aka gmax dev) is Discreet's new game development platform aimed at level and game designers. It allows game companies to shorten development time and offers the potential to increase sales and extend the life of their game titles by the optional distribution of gmax "game packs."

pathfinder · #6 March 23rd, 2002, 01:13 AM

I have gmax but found it to be bit complex

. I prefer to use DOGA, the 1 & 2 Versions are avilable at http://downloads.cnet.com or http://www.doga.co.jp/english/.

In order to use DOGA 3 you must register V 2.

Instructions on this are at :

http://www.doga.co.jp/english/

DOGA is very easy (bolting parts together and then coloring/texturing) but there are limits to what can be done (no custom colors but you can add custom textures/bump maps with DOGA 3).

gmax and moray/povray allow more flexability but have a steeper learning curve (IMHO).

[ 22 March 2002: Message edited by: pathfinder ]

Kinboat · #7 March 23rd, 2002, 02:07 AM

True Moray/POV does require a lot of time to get anything decent out of it. After half a year of practice I'm still struggling with it. However if you're willing to put in the time I believe the extra features make it an excellent program... I'm actually checking out DOGA now, I've heard of it several times before but never looked into it. Depends on how much free time you have I guess...

Atrocities · #8 March 24th, 2002, 01:47 PM

1. Exsisting images
2. Images from games
3. DoGa L3
4. Paint'
5. PSP 6
6. 3d Studio Max 4
7. ShipViewer for SFC

DoGa is by far the best for beginners.

ColdSteel · #9 March 25th, 2002, 02:42 AM

Well, you can just forget about gmax.

After spending some time with the tutorials and deciding it was one pretty sweet program, I started looking for the renderer in there. Guess what? Yep, no renderer. And the real kicker is that you can't export it out in anything other than the gmax file format for which (you guessed it) there is no renderer support anywhere by anybody. Boy, was I po'd. What the heck were they thinking?? Avoid this one.

I downloaded Strata 3D Base (free with registration at strata.com) and have played with it some but I may go back to Moray or try some of the others mentioned here. Apparently there are no really good modeling/rendering choices unless you want to spend about $10K on the good stuff.

CS

Phoenix-D · #10 March 25th, 2002, 03:35 AM

"Guess what? Yep, no renderer. And the real kicker is that you can't export it out in anything other than the gmax file format for which (you guessed it) there is no renderer support anywhere by anybody. Boy, was I po'd. What the heck were they thinking??"

It's NOT a standalone modeling program! It's for making game mods, and the game has to have a specific gmax- "pak" for it to work.

Phoenix-D