Free Mod Studios?

[Sceptre]

Hi guys,

 

I really want to start making some 3D models for DCS now, I have a fair understanding of how DCS works.

 

Is there any free software that I can start making 3D models in? Like maybe start with tanks and then move to planes?

 

If not, what is the cheapest software that works and gets the job done?

 

Sorry is this is a stupid question, I really want to know.

 

Thanks in advance!

[beczl]

The EDM exporter plugin works with only 3DMax. So you can't use any other free software.

 

Further info: http://forum.lockon.ru/showpost.php?p=1418067&postcount=1 point Nr.8

[cichlidfan]

You probably don't want to know what it costs.;)

[Sceptre]

You probably don't want to know what it costs.;)

 

:P Apparently about 3 grand :D

[beczl]

:P Apparently about 3 grand :D

Yes exactly. The softwares that I use for MiG-21 usually more expensive than my car itself.

[nemises]

...having said that..

Is it realistic to model / uvmap in an alternative package (say Blender, which is AWESOME and free), and then ask a friendly person with 3dsmax to import / export to .edm ?

 

I should have thought that you could achieve 95% in the modelling / texturing space within blender..

 

...of course unless you have a friendly tamed 3ds max owner on standby , it may be a bit annoying to get your models tested in game frequently, but it is a thought..

 

 

...ED should really look at doing a .edm plugin for Blender..

[beczl]

Well I think this way should not working. Blender hasn't a lot of function that 3DMAx has. Also use a different method for smoothing and UVW triangle calculation. Also Max has a better ProOptimiser feauture that required for the correct final model. Most studios use Max due it's more flexible and has more useful and fast function than others.

[Tango]

There is a reason Max costs $$$$$$$$$$ whilst Blender is free. If Blender was really competitive, you can bet it would be payware.

 

As is often pointed out - even the hardest communist is a capitalist at heart. ;) Just look at China. :D

 

Best regards,

Tango.

[Executioner]

There is a reason Max costs $$$$$$$$$$ whilst Blender is free. If Blender was really competitive, you can bet it would be payware.

 

As is often pointed out - even the hardest communist is a capitalist at heart. ;) Just look at China. :D

 

Best regards,

Tango.

 

Blender is a bad example to pick for your argument, as a long while ago it was a payware product that fell into disrepair. One of the original developers then got the community to pool their resources (to the tune of €100,000!) to buy the rights to the software and make it open source. It won't be going back any time soon :)

 

In terms of capabilities, it's not primarily a game modelling tool (although there are strides in that direction, with included modules for physics and a game engine and so on) - different software packages have different capabilities throughout the software world and Blender is no different. Would still be nice to have EDM export for that and others :music_whistling:

 

As to OSS packages competing with their closed source/payware alternatives - that's an argument for another day (and a different forum)

 

Martin...

[SkateZilla]

you should see how much the laser scanners for importing to 3ds max cost.

[Pikey]

Students may qualify for a free copy at http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?siteID=123112&id=17354855, there are also trials available.

 

I'd normally recommend some open source alternative but this is an industry standard product for which plugins can be (and are) written by the developers which is pretty much sewn up the choices there and then.

 

It's also a monster to learn, a larger commitment than A:10 from my scarred memory.

 

Feel free to take or leave my comments but If i were you I would decide if I liked 3D modelling in an alternative open source program first, then you could decide to either commit to a financial or educational commitment.

 

You might get right into it and never look back! You might also quickly find you hate it!

[SkateZilla]

it only took me a few years on and off to learn most of the features.

 

im pretty sure if you buy one of those "classroom" guide videos, you'll learn the basic and advanced things quicker than trying to figure it out on your own with trial, error, and google. (as I did).

 

one model I started in 2005/2006 I was constantly changing it and re-building parts as I learned how to utilize features, now I realize that was a huge mistake, as its not able to be properly optimized, so I must start from the beginning and re-build the entire thing, which will save me polygons and Maps, as well as being able to use Bump, Spec, reflection and lighting maps, with less separated nodes, and less vertices to check.

[sobek]

There is a reason Max costs $$$$$$$$$$ whilst Blender is free. If Blender was really competitive, you can bet it would be payware.

 

As is often pointed out - even the hardest communist is a capitalist at heart. ;) Just look at China. :D

 

Err, no, you just don't know what open source is about. There are lots of open source alternatives that are competitive or even ahead of their proprietary counterparts.

 

I don't know if this is still the case, but there were times when the movie industry relied heavily on blender.

 

Edit: Another popular example would be git.

Edited June 18, 2012 by sobek

[Kegetys]

If the EDM model format would be documented by ED then anyone could make an EDM exporter for blender (or any other modeler for that matter). Not that it would likely be that hard to figure out the format as is, but having official documentation would make it much easier.

[EtherealN]

There are lots of open source alternatives that are competitive or even ahead of their proprietary counterparts.

 

Indeed. One should not underestimate open source/free software.

 

SC500 OS deployment shares.

 

HTTP server market shares.

 

Smartphone OS market shares.

 

Database market share, the GPL MySQL looks pretty good.

 

In the case of Blender I really think it's in a large part down to it's movie roots. It has been used in blockbuster movies, including Spider-Man 2 (with a 200 million dollar budget, I doubt they opted for it to save cash, they probably looked for what it did well, used it there, and used something else where something else was better - nothing weird there).

 

I think the big deal for something like this is that whatever is used by the main developer will be almost "required" for everyone else that wants to be involved, simply because (like Pikey said) that's the one that will have the customized tools that are required to do it well.

[HiJack]

For sure the open source is a good thing. It's not the same with "Free software" as this is mostly crippled with virus, logges and other nasty little things.

 

Interesting graph with the DB market there ;)

 

(HJ)

[EtherealN]

Mmm, depends entirely on how you define "free software".

 

"Free Software" kan be seen as a special case in Open Source; for example, a given software package may be "Open Source" without allowing you to create derivatives, or you may not have the right to distribute etcetera. The Free Software Foundation defines "Free Software" as including all of these.

 

It's basically about whether you use the word "free" to mean "does not cost money" or "freedom".

 

Anyways, this is derailing. If there's interest in the topic we could bring that over to Hardware & Software forum. :)

[Moa]

Very nice graphics EtherealN. I guess the Postgresql database (IMHO the best of the lot) is under "Other"?

 

Also, people may not known that "Android" is actually the marketing term for a customized version of Java running on Linux (which might make give Linux proponents warm fuzzies).

 

Back on topic: MeshLab is a handy free tool for creating different levels of detail for a model: http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/

Edited June 19, 2012 by Moa

[Sceptre]

Thanks guys I have learnt loads! I will look into it in depth when I get home because I seriously want to become a 3D modeller:P

 

 

P.S. thanks for the link Moa, I'll check it out.

[SkateZilla]

Err, no, you just don't know what open source is about. There are lots of open source alternatives that are competitive or even ahead of their proprietary counterparts.

 

I don't know if this is still the case, but there were times when the movie industry relied heavily on blender.

 

Edit: Another popular example would be git.

 

GMax was better than 3d Studio for a lil bit. like maybe a year.

[59th Ducky]

GMax was better than 3d Studio for a lil bit. like maybe a year.

LOL