List of "Affordable" 3D Modlers for Indie Developers Thread

Similar to the Engine one found here Moddb.com

Basically I'm wondering what "Affordable" 3D modeler should be used for an Indie upstart that has no idea about 3D modeling.. but also how easy they are to use or if possible locations as to where you can learn the modeler inside and out. Also specify what its best for (such as Low-Poly, High-Poly and of course Pre-Rendering Assets). If possible also specify books that may be helpful for learning these modelers for newbies to 3D. I know theres a thread for what 3D modeler you use, but this is more "what 3D Modeler you'd recommend to a n00b and things to help them learn".

Max and Maya are out simply because of the cost so don't suggest them.

Edited by: formerlyknownasMrCP

Have you tried XSI Mod tool? Basically its XSI 3D modelling software without all the frills... but its quite complete as far as low-poly, game modeling is concerned. As the name suggests, its intended for exactly the sort of user you speak of. And the best thing, its totally free.

It costs $3000 USD for an Indie to be able to use it in commercial development though which presents a few problems- the engines are specifically "Low-Cost" suggesting that the commercial license is also low cost (and most of them on the engine list are) so ideally we need a 3D Modeler that matches it. Ideally the right combo would mean much more accessibilty for other Indies struggling to get into 3D and 2D Hardcore game development.

I don't think XSI is affordable for serious Indie development. Especially with a low budget. At best $1000 should be the max anyone should be paying for the license if it's going to be cost effective/affordable.

Edited by: formerlyknownasMrCP

Blender 3D

It's a free software modeling and animation tool ( also directly including a game engine ) which can do much more ( composing, audio, video ). It can do anything you need to make an entire CG movie with it. The workflow is very different than the other applications as it is based on adapting to the user instead of the user adapting to the application. Driven mostly by shortcuts ( one-key or sequence ) and mouse. The main difficulty is getting started with the handling of the interface. Once this is done work flows quickly of your hands. Knowing the 3D modeling terms is a must since Blender is less about talking but doing. Special to mention is the fast and active development. New features are added in every new release which improve the application a lot.

This application is best used for high polygon modeling based on discrete modeling ( hence SubSurface, Splines, NURBS and so forth ). It has a sculpting feature which still needs though some work ( but is usable already and similar in usage to Z-Brush though without all the available tools ). Supports various unwrapping tools useful for low-polygon modeling. Lighting is a difficult part hence creating pre-view renders can be tricky. You can use though external renderes like YafRay ( from inside Blender ) for this task but it's more involved.

Blender supports various 3D model formats which are more or less standard in the CG world. Furthermore some export/import scripts for games exist mostly QuakeX engine based. Additional scripts can be easily written using Python as script language ( no compilation of dll/so files required ).

Concerning help there are various places. There exists forums around the net like BlenderArtists. Tutorials can be found at the Blender Tutorials section including Video Tutorials ( also other places for this ). There are also various books about Blender. YouTube also contains various blender related tutorial videos. Just google around.

Recommended for people with knowledge about 3D modeling which are not hard-locked to a certain application ( because the game wants so ).

Edited by: Dragonlord

Ah sorry, missed that "non-commercial" part. Yeah, then I guess it doesn't fit the bill, excuse the bad pun.As I only ever used 3DMax and XSI, afraid I can't offer any first-hand reccomendations outside these two. I did some searching though and there are a number of interesting 3D modelling solutions out there for under 1000$ pricetag, for example Modo 302, with the floating licence at 945$, or you could go even for programs like Blender, which is actually free, even for commercial use. I am sure others can suggest more 3D software solutions, including their experience with them which I sadly lack.The key thing to remember is that if you're going for game development, you only basically need two-three things from a 3D program - decent model construction and UV mapping tools are primary, and animation tools are also needed depending on the type of game you want to make (setting up bones etc.). And naturally the ability to export the said models in the most widely used formats.Everything else, like rendering tools, texture tools etc. is not essential, since you won't be using them in game anyway, unless you're looking for some spiffy intro videos and such. And, a bit offtopic-ish remember to include 2D image editing licenses in your budget. Good models are useless without good textures to go with them.

besides blender (it seems to be the most complete non-commercial one out there, more complete imho then some commercial ones), lightwave is still under $1k. 3DSMax & Maya now, imho, have gone BACK to the really crappy licensing of a decade ago you they want you to pay smaller sums of $$ just to keep the software vs a larger sum & never pay again if you don't want to. You can get copies of lightwave for relatively cheap sometimes on e-bay.

There's also wings3d, delgine tools. You can get free copies of Bryce 3D, Poser & Truespace sometimes (giving away for free occatioantly, I think older Bryce & Truespace are always free).

but, imho, if it's for your own work, use blender.

Nicely done guys. I figured Lightwave and Blender would be the two best. I downloaded Blender not long ago and am considering studying it. Planning on a huge pre-rendered game so it seems like the logical choice for me since its best for CG Films.

Modo was one I hadn't heard of so that's helpful indeed. And I didn't know about Wings3d.

last I rember (old old stuff now, ~8 year old!), lightwave was a top notch poly modeler. Back then it didn't support curves, etc. It's grown, so it might now. It's two apps as far as I know: a modeler & a layout/animation program.

lightwave is still learn how to do most things in a day or few, download skelegomeditor and then the hardest thing is getting your skeleton and model to get parented in the animator, which is 5 steps that you forget easy

I'd go with Blender for best value for money for an upstart. Its got a lot of resources and there's a lot of competant modelers here who can use it.

I'd reccommend if and when you got enough cash flow to license something like Max or Maya but only if you've got someone on your team who knows their way around it... properly ^^.

Good luck!

M@ty wrote: I'd reccommend if and when you got enough cash flow to license something like Max or Maya but only if you've got someone on your team who knows their way around it... properly ^^.

besides for the reason of getting an app someone is really really good in, any particular reason to pay for an app if blender is doing everything that's needed & the modeler/animator know how to use it?

No, on ther proviso it has all the necessary plug-ins and toolset.

For me, Blender wouldn't do purely because it lacks some features essential to my work (but I do all sorts, from games to architectual visualsiation).

all righty. That's what I was thinking.

Best part about modeling (and other similar skills) is that they are pretty much universal, once you learn how to use a program it's all the same.

M@ty wrote: No, on ther proviso it has all the necessary plug-ins and toolset.

For me, Blender wouldn't do purely because it lacks some features essential to my work (but I do all sorts, from games to architectual visualsiation).

Just curious to know. Which features exactly?