Best 3D modeling software for a newbie?

[Winter Owl]

So I have a cockpit design taking shape in my head. I've made a few sketches, and it looks like this could work well. I like the notion of learning a new skill while I'm also learning this game.

My only experience in anything even remotely resembling 3D modeling was an "intro to drafting" course in high school shop class nineteen years ago. I don't think that'll help too much.

I'm taking a look at the free versions of Blender and Google Sketchup; both programs appear to be popular choices for newbies to learn on. Blender looks like it has far more features, but Sketchup is designed to be easier to learn and use. Both programs offer a variety of tutorials.


All this leads up to a few questions:

Will either of these programs produce a cockpit model in a form that is usable by Evochron? Keep in mind I'm looking at the free versions, which are more limited than the full versions.

If I start work on my design based on Evochron Renegades, will it still be usable in Legends?

Is there another 3D modeling program that I should be using instead?


If any of you experienced folk could nudge me in a beneficial direction, I'd be grateful.

[Vice]

You'll need to use the X model format or 3DS (although 3DS can be difficult to work with). For most of the model work I do for the game, I use Metaseq (there is a free version for this as well):

http://www.metaseq.net/english/index.html

It has a good (functional) X export option that works well with the game. Blender may work also, although I don't know what kind of X export options it may have. Not sure on the Google program.

The cockpit system in Legends is different, it requires three layers of the same object. Details will be available once the customizing kit is ready, but in short, one layer is used for the structure, one for the specular, and one for the illumination layer. So a Renegades design can work, but it will need to use three objects with unique textures for each material layer.

[Winter Owl]

Wow. Only twelve minutes from questions posted to the reply. I'm seriously impressed.

Thank you very much, Vice. I'll take a look at that program and see if I can make heads or tails of it.

[MMaggio]

Originally posted by Winter Owl
Wow. Only twelve minutes from questions posted to the reply. I'm seriously impressed.

Thank you very much, Vice. I'll take a look at that program and see if I can make heads or tails of it.

Must be a busy nite for him.
He's been much faster than that!

[warsign]

Originally posted by MMaggio

Originally posted by Winter Owl
Wow. Only twelve minutes from questions posted to the reply. I'm seriously impressed.

Thank you very much, Vice. I'll take a look at that program and see if I can make heads or tails of it.

Must be a busy nite for him.
He's been much faster than that!

LolX35000

[warsign]

Originally posted by Vice

The cockpit system in Legends is different, it requires three layers of the same object. Details will be available once the customizing kit is ready, but in short, one layer is used for the structure, one for the specular, and one for the illumination layer. So a Renegades design can work, but it will need to use three objects with unique textures for each material layer.

I can be able to build brand new shiny cockpits for Legends.
Stay tuned.
Warsign starts to build again...

Also I nearly finished my frames for Renegades.
New breath for Renegades, you won't leave this game that easy



[Edited on 1-31-2009 by warsign]

[tha_rami]

Vices' ability to multitask is detoriating as he gets older. That probably means that by the time we have colonized Sapphire in real life, he'll respond in a normal timespan of 12 hours.

Also, as for software, I might recommend Milkshape. For space-ships, DoGa L2 or L3 are both fun stuff, but I realy would recommend Milkkshape as a first step into 3D. After that, try something like Maya LE.