3D as a tool?

[eclipse525]

I wasn't sure were to post this so I figured this would be somewhat appropriate.

When you mention 3D modeling, most people go right into how rich the package is and especially the animation part. A good portion of that is justified BUT for someone like myself who find's 3D an extremely helpful tool in the realm of modeling for either packaging or just basic shapes/models for perspective, you don't really hear much in the way of that type of work. I have to be honest, I use to use Strata's Studio Pro, a few years back but haven't really done much, if any 3D type work recently. I do however have the need to use 3D in my day to day work.

SO........ my question to anyone is, "Who uses what?" and "What would be a good application to purchase?" As I mentioned, animation is not priority, although I might play around with it at some point. Simply, intuitive modeling is essential.

Thanks!

~e

[The Repro Kid]

I have Strata 3D. Strata is great for modeling, texturing and rendering. It has subdivision polygons now and works well with silo which is solely a subdivision modeler.

I don't think strata is that much fun to animate with so if you're most concerned with modeling and rendering stills, strata is great.

And no, this probably not the best forum for this question. The general design program forum would probably have been more suitable. But who's counting?

[grnofslt]

How do you need to use 3D daily in your work? If not for animation, couldn't you use 3D live effects in Illustrator where illustrator renders something you have drawn 2D into 3D? If it has to be a 3D application Bryce 5 is still being offered at an extremely reasonable rate, with tons of plugins to further enhance it. I'm not sure how good it is any more. At one time I had downloaded a demo of Bryce and played with it until the demo time limit was up. I now have the Maya 7 personal learning edition (which is free but limited for use by Maya logos all over everything) and a tutorial book on beginning 3D modeling and animation. I haven't gotten to far with it because I have taken on a personal project of scanning approx 12,000 photographic slides and cataloging them for further use in the very near future. I'm sorry that I couldn't be more help and offer you more for making your decision.

Billy Jay

[The Repro Kid]

gnofslt,
I finally figured out your handle stands for "Grain of Salt."

:cool:

...and about your personal project of scanning 12,000 slides. With that many photos on hand, have you considered selling them to a stock photo company? Or starting your own?