Animation Blog

Don’t think for a moment that a 3D animation software is similiar to its 2D counterparts. It is in fact vastly different. The features, the demands it has on your computer, your foundation, your preferences, your needs, your budget etc, are all factors in choosing the right software.Before you even consider buying a 3D software, the first thing you need to do is to audit your current PC and determine if it is up to the challenge of the latest software. Good 3D programs are prohibitively expensive and CPU intensive.If your PC isn’t exactly top range, chances are it would be struggling to load up the program, much less run it. Let’s just say that you had better prepare a hefty budget if you want to get a really professional top range 3D software.The cost of some of the well known 3D software tools can run to several thousand dollars.

Although the majority of tools will have the same features, it is how they manage the 4 main 3D animating tasks that differ.

The 4 key areas of 3D animation are modeling, texturing, animation and rendering.

Thinking about which areas you want to specialize in before you start will give you a few clues as to which software packages are most likely to meet your needs. For example, while all tools will have polygon modeling, others will add some additional modeling methods which, although useful in certain situations, normally add additional cost to the software.

If you don’t need these options, then you can save money by buying a software package that uses polygons as the basis for modeling. It comes down to finding a usable balance between all 4 features. This is the key to finding the software that will suit you best. Some packages will have great modeling tools and slow rendering while other will have superior texturing ability but the modeling tools will be of lesser quality.

FreeWare

There are actually some free tools available on the internet. While not exactly user-friendly and feature-packed, you may be surpised to know that there is a fair number of people who have done very decent work using these free 3D softwares. One such software is Blender. Just Google it and you will find its official download site. I’m sure you will be amply impressed with the quality of the work Blender enthusiasts have created. In my opinion, Blender is very useful for practicing and refining the techniques involved. If you can master it, it will be a cinch when you port over to the more professional softwares.

Alternatively, you can try out some of the professional softwares for a grace period as many of the manufacturers actually offer a 30 day trial. It’s a a great way to see if you like the interface and confirm that the software has all the tools and features that you need. If the program you want doesn’t advertise a trial version, just contact the manufacturers and ask them if in fact there is one. Sometimes they just don’t advertise it widely. Alternatively, they may be able to provide you with a demo showing just what the tool can do.

Low end 3D software

Xara 3D is really low end and is good only for creating quick simple 3D logos and fun titles. Don’t count on it to produce Shrek. Adobe Dimension is a plug-in for Illustrator and generates 3D objects from Illustrator curves and text. It has limited functions but pretty simple to use, and for some people it’s functions are sufficient. Although more suited to intermediate users, Amorphium from ElectricImage Inc. is an esy to use 3D program designed to work in a very hands on way. If you want to sculpt 3D objects as if they were lumps of clay then render them very simply, it’s a good way to go. Poser is a 3D character renderer and animator that lets you pose and animate ready-made, high quality 3D figures. Poser is however not an all rounder software. It does only one thing but does it well.

Intermediate level 3D software

First on the list in Strata’s Strata 3D. This software has a long history and is available for both the Mac and PC. It is rather archaic but pretty sturdy and has a fan base with many digital illistrators. It’s rendering features are pretty good and includes radiosity. Second on the list is Pixels, a Mac-only program. It offers advanced rendering, animation and modeling. Third on the list we have Corel’s Bryce 3D. This is a very interesting 3D program that focuses mainly on generating landscapes, skies, oceans and any kind of terrains. Last we have Blender, which was discussed earlier. This program is entirely free and has pretty decent tools found in most mid to high end applications.

I would also like to mention this particular software called Vue 6 xStream. It basically helps an animator create the most natural looking environment that would take simply ages for other programs to even start with.

Advanced level 3D software

Although we are discussing the highest end 3D softwares, I must impress upon you that at the high end of 3D animation, it’s no longer the tools but rather the users that make the difference. A competent animator can use an intermediate 3D software and make things come to life. A mediocre animator can use the best 3D software and make crap animation out of it.

The following 3D application I am mentioning all has their own style of operation. Some of these applications are very costly, really powerful, and used for many high-end effects in movies and television.

Newtek’s Lightwave 3D is a dual application featuring separate modeler/texturing and animation/lighting/rendering apps. It is rather powerful and offers one of the best built in renderers. Next on the list is Softimage XSI, which combines sublime modeling with non-linear animation, scripting, and phenomenal rendering through tight integration with Mental Images’ Mental Ray rendering software. It also features an integrated 2D/3D compositor. Third we have Autodesk’s Maya 3D. Previously from Alias Wavefront and later acquired by Autodesk, some argue that it is the big brother to Autodesk’s original flagship product – 3ds Max. Well, Maya is extremely powerful. That’s a fact. Its node-based architecture enables complex animation and rendering linkages to be created and it offers a nonlinear modeling history, plus Mental Ray rendering. But I personally prefer Max. 3Ds Max has always been a popular choice. Its design is not as modern as Maya or Softimage but it holds its own, especially in the games production market, and comes with Mental Ray rendering as standard. Next we have Houdini – a fully procedural animation system that takes the node-based architecture to the nth degree. Sublimely powerful, it’s not for the faint hearted, but offers the kind of flexibility other applications only hint at. Finally, we have Cinema 4D. Otherwise more of an mid-range software, Cinema 4D needs the full suite of plug-ins to take it into the high end. With advanced radiosity rendering, sophisticated character tools, and a GUI based expression system, it’s also one of the easiest high-end 3D apps to get to grips with.

I hope with the above, I’ve given you a good idea of what are the 3D softwares available on the market today.

You can visit the Mediafreaks site to learn more about 3D animation and also receive a free report regarding 3D production services there.

This article was written by Aldric Chang – a creative businessman who is active in music composing and production, internet marketing, casual games production, animation production, cartoon production and character licensing. He’s currently intent on growing his up-and-coming 3D animation studiointo a behemoth entertainment enterprise.