Gmax - Is it the right choice ?

Tacyarts · Vehicle Drone **Joined**: 30 May 2010

Hi everyone,

Not sure where to post this so I'll apologise now if this is the wrong area.

I've been playing with VXLE III for a week or two now with some positive results ( meening I've been able to create some basic units ) but I have also been reading the forums and I see members talking about 3D models ect.

I have no experience with any 3D/Cad program other than VXLE and I've seen various programs being talked about, programs like 3DSmax, Blender, Milkshake, Gmax ect.
3DSmax seems to be the most common of these and I understand that 3DSmax is the "Full version" and has to be purchased ( something I'm not prepared to do at this point in time as I dont know how much I'll use it ).

I've also seen mention that Gmax is the "Freeware" alternative to 3DSmax. I assume that being "Freeware" Gmax has limitations compared to 3DSmax but from what I've read, Gmax will do just about everything needed to create models that can then be ported to VXLE.

If I decide to try and learn how to create 3D models I was wondering ...

1) Would Gmax be a good program to start learning with?

If the answer to (1) is YES then...

2) Are there any plugins that should be added to Gmax in order to create Units for RA2 and TS ?

3) Does anyone know of some good "Noobs guide on how to use Gmax" tutorials ?

When I say noob tutorials I really meen "NOOB". I'd like a kindergarten type tutorial that assumes the person trying to learn knows absolutely nothing about anything ( which is brutally true Very Happy

).

I know I could do a google search for the "tutorials" but there are hundreds of sites with tutorials and trying to find the right one could take days. By asking for help I'm hoping someone else who has already been through the same exercise might save me some time. ( No point re-inventing the wheel ).

Thanks in advance for any help,

Tac.

MT · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 11:57 am Post subject:

Gmax has been discontinued, so I recommend you use it only when you have to (such as if you want to mod Renegade or ZH), and focus on getting your "favourite" modeller to be something more popular and up to date.

Tacyarts · Vehicle Drone **Joined**: 30 May 2010

MT wrote:

Gmax has been discontinued, so I recommend you use it only when you have to (such as if you want to mod Renegade or ZH), and focus on getting your "favourite" modeller to be something more popular and up to date.

Thanks MT,

I have no "favorite" modeller as I've never used one before. Do you have any suggestions as to what "Freeware" 3D program I should look at ? Remembering I'm starting from scratch and need something I can find step by step instructions for.

Tac.

Mig Eater · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 2:27 pm Post subject:

Blender is probably the best free 3D modelling program & there are hundreds of tutorials/guides around for it.

_________________

MT · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 3:41 pm Post subject:

Well, Blender is one of the best "free" modellers, yes, but can be hard to learn for people of little prior experience such as yourself. To help prepare you for the UI of blender, I recommend you start with a simpler modeller to grasp most of the 3d modelling concepts.

As such it is my advice you learn some simple modeller beforehand such as Wings3d. Otherwise I can see you, like many new and even some experienced members find the learning curve of blender too steep and quit in frustration. Wings can not really make much of direct use in games, but can export its models as .3ds, meaning that learning work with it won't be wasted (3ds is one of the standard formats that you can open with any other modeller).

Wings itself does have some tutorials, although considering how easy the interface is, Wings is in itself a sort of giant 3d tutorial.

Some Tutorial wrote:

In my opinion Wings3D is definitely the best low poly subdivision modeler in the world, and at the same time open source. Wings3D is artist tool that is user friendly and easy to learn.

(low-poly though: when you switch the game-usable stuff and high poly its time for blender or the professional modellers imo Wink

)

Tacyarts · Vehicle Drone **Joined**: 30 May 2010

Thanks to you both Mig and MT,

The reason I was asking for a program with idiot proof tutorials was I don't like to be defeated or give up in disgust or frustration Smile

I've grabbed a copy of Blender and I'll try to find a copy of Wing3D later today.
I'll try learning the basics on Wings then progress to Blender once I'm confident I understand what the #%$^ they are talking about when they mention things like vertex, meshes and polys. It's like learning another language Very Happy

I will post something once I think I'm up to the standard required.

Oh and would it be ok to ask questions here if I run into dificulties or is there another thread I should be posting in ?

Tac.

Cranium · Defense Minister **Joined**: 05 Dec 2009 **Location**: USA

Wings3d is alright, and so is Anim8or. They are both good for learning 3d. I myself prefer Anim8or over Wings, But thats just a matter of opinion. I just happen to like Anim8or's interface a little better. But you can produce some really good stuff with the both of them.

Tacyarts · Vehicle Drone **Joined**: 30 May 2010

Thanks Cranium,

I'll download a copy of Anim8or and look a that aswell.

Tac.