3D modeling programs

Community Forums/Developer Stations/3D modeling programs

Jaydubeww(Posted 2008) [#1]
Yea im still very new to Blitz and want to do some simple 3D modeling...so...What 3D modeling programs can you use? Any free ones? Is it possible to use Sketchup?


Santiworld(Posted 2008) [#2]
blender and 3dwing or something like that... are free..


KillerX(Posted 2008) [#3]
Look here.


Jaydubeww(Posted 2008) [#4]
Thanks, that list is usefull but does anyone know if you can use Google Sketchup? I'd check my self but seeing as im still quite new to programing I dont know how...


KillerX(Posted 2008) [#5]
You can use anything that can export to .3ds, .x, .b3d, or .md2. I think that sketchup can export to .3ds, but in skethchup, I don't think that you can do much (Like animation).


mtnhome3d(Posted 2008) [#6]
sketchup can't export on the free version unles you write a rubyscript.


Wayne(Posted 2008) [#7]
There is a outstanding blender exporter if you search the forums, and I've seen it do great stuff for animation as well.

Check here on sketchup and email me if you have questions.
http://www.blitzbasic.com/Community/posts.php?topic=70531#791749


D4NM4N(Posted 2008) [#8]
Blender.
If you can get past the unusual but great-once-you-know-it interface.

some can't ;).
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JustLuke(Posted 2008) [#9]
Don't waste your time with Blender. The interface is very far from great and it will give you a bad impression of 3d modelling.


Ross C(Posted 2008) [#10]
Whatever you feel better at. I doubt blender is a waste of time. I've seen some pretty impressive stuff with done with it and it's good to challenge yourself to think a little differently ;o)


jfk EO-11110(Posted 2008) [#11]
Blender has this steep first step, but it's very powerful after some learning time and with the right plugins.

SketchUp : there is a B3D exporter named "SU2B3D" , written by wayne. In the forum thread http://www.blitzbasic.com/Community/posts.php?topic=69156#791970
I can't find working downloads anymore, but here is a version 1.07 on in other forum. It's a trial with some imitiations. Not sure if it's still possible to buy the full product:
http://www.freeforum101.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1438&sid=710874c556e7830c36dd5fd221dfafba&mforum=dgrafix
Besides the trial will export a max of 2 materials only, there is also XML2B3D.EXE that will expire after 30 days. Maybe this XML2B3D.bb can do the job too: http://blitzbasic.com/codearcs/codearcs.php?code=665
just for in case one can't buy the full product any longer.


I also found a statement of google to the commercial use of models that were created with the free version of SkechtUp, and it sounds pretty good:

Hi All,

I know it's been a while since the original post, but I just wanted to chime
in. Marcus, you're totally welcome to use SketchUp models in your game. As
aleanbh noted, it's fine to use SketchUp (free) even for commercial
purposes. In fact, we think everyone should be using SketchUp, and we
encourage it. Hope the game turns out well!
(SketchUp Guide Vicky)

See here:
http://www.freeforum101.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1438&sid=710874c556e7830c36dd5fd221dfafba&mforum=dgrafix

Google Search also lists this:
"hah you'll love this i found a sketchup to B3d exporter, not sure how reliable the download will be so im hosting the file on my site just in case ..."
and points to http://eol1.asylum-systems.com/viewtopic.php?p=242&sid=cff85fcd8a0c09bc8158c2628b03f34c , but you need to become member there to get access.


Jaydubeww(Posted 2008) [#12]
Thanks guys you've been a real help, matter of fact I do have the full version of SketchUp, not sure if its up to date, probaly isnt. I looked in Sketchup and I can export it in .3ds. Is that plugin better or can I settle for the Sketchup version?


John Blackledge(Posted 2008) [#13]
A word of warning: the Sketchup B3D plugin produces a model which is not as efficient (fps-wise) as the 3DS, and has some strange lighting characteristics - i've been waiting for an update to fix this a year.

I export as 3DS, then process it through Decorator to weld all the vertices, then on to lightmapping.
Messy I know, but it gives me a very complex but efficient large building.

BTW Sketchup is excellent for buildings - I wouldn't use anything else - but for irregular shapes and animated characters I'd look elsewhere, such as Milkshape.