Best tool for modeling

[Johnnsen]

Hi,
I thought I should start with modeling, mainly for faces and stuff. What tool would you advise?

Best would be free of course, but I could get the money for an expensive tool as well, if it is worth it.

[Giggity]

3D Studio Max should be a decent tool for that?

[faultymoose]

Blender (free).
Wings3d (free).
Maya PLE (free).

3D Studio is an expensive toy. (/hides)

[Johnnsen]

So should I go for maya?

[[s§s]Bison_Boy]

persistant probs with Maya in that the exporter to UT isn't available in the free edition and looks like they will not support it this go'round -> Blender.

[Johnnsen]

I heard blender is not so good.
Would this be good for face modeling? I would love if there would be some tutorials for faces or in general for it.

[Hunter]

Look at Maya, I have 3ds max but I don't really use it that much yet.

[Johnnsen]

You like Maya better than 3ds?

[mjordan]

Blender, definitely.

[Johnnsen]

Blender, definitely.

Does it have a reason?

[mjordan]

Does it have a reason?

Yes. Its community and its modeling tools. There are very good books about modeling with Blender. If you're expecially tailored to character animation, for example, you can look for Tony Mullen book "Introducing Character Animation with Blender" which is a must have for every blenderhead.
http://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Ch.../dp/0470102608
If you want to evaluate it and you want have a brief introduction to its major features, you can read "The Essential Blender", published by the Blender Foundation:
http://www.blender3d.org/e-shop/prod...products_id=96

If you want something more "interactive", you can see the new "The Mancandy FAQ", created by Bassam Kurdali (Elephant Dream Director) who teach you the basics of computer animation with a funny character created for the purpose (named Mancandy)
http://www.blender3d.org/e-shop/prod...products_id=99

It has powerful tools for soft bodies dynamics, particle systems, hard body dynamics, fluid simulation tools, fur and multi-resolution meshes!!! It support dual quaternion interpolation for animation now, it has a non linear editor and support keyframe animation.
Also, don't miss the new upcoming Mullen's book about physic in Blender:
"Bounce, Tumble, and Splash!: Simulating the Physical World with Blender 3D"
http://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Tumble-.../dp/0470192801

Look at the art gallery and see how powerful it is:
http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/gallery/images/

It has a compositor also. Blender is the most powerful open source 3D program and it's completely free.
The Blender foundation is using it to create a free open movie (Peach project) and a free game based on its integrated game engine (Apricot).
Many say "3D Studio Max" or "Maya" only because these are the only names they know. But at the end they don't know how to do anything with them

At the end, it's not the tool but you. No tool can transform you in an artist, be clear.

[Johnnsen]

Thank you for this specific example. I will check out your links now.

Edit: Does anybody know more face tutorials? Google doesn't give me the right stuff, and before I spend money on it I would like to know if I can handle it.

[mjordan]

Thank you for this specific example. I will check out your links now.

Also, don't miss the official Blender forums. There are very helpful people there:
http://blenderartists.org/forum/

And, for updated news, check BlenderNation:
http://www.blendernation.com

Watch this video to figure out how powerful it is for creature head modeling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J53EenY6mkE

Or a fluid simulation example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK4b6pOcnVU&NR=1

[13th_Disciple]

Also, don't miss the official Blender forums. There are very helpful people there:
http://blenderartists.org/forum/

And, for updated news, check BlenderNation:
http://www.blendernation.com

Watch this video to figure out how powerful it is for creature head modeling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J53EenY6mkE

good info.. thanks!

[mjordan]

Look at this outstanding video!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WruTN...eature=related