Graphics Software Used?

[Azazel]

What kind of graphics software is used to design aircraft, buildings, tanks, etc. I've gotten to the point where I want to start moding. Is it just AutoCad or something newer?
V/R,
Azazel

[Shatterer of Worlds]

What kind of graphics software is used to design aircraft, buildings, tanks, etc. I've gotten to the point where I want to start moding. Is it just AutoCad or something newer?
V/R,
Azazel

For 3d modelling for gaming and animation purposes the two biggest software packages would be 3D Studio Max and Maya. There are other programs out there that are also very popular. If you are not planning on getting into the industry or you are just starting off then a program like AC3D might be a good place to start. One of our recent FO team members has recently recommended Modo and I plan on looking at that one eventually. Unfortunately, many programs (especially the important ones like 3DSMax and Maya) have a habit of supporting limited import and export options for models and that makes the swapping of models from one program to another difficult.

The best thing is knowing exactly what you want to do since these programs do so many things (model building, scene rendering, animation and effects) and some of these programs do some things better than others.

[Azazel]

Thanks for the response. I guess I'm most interested in doing 3D modeling of aircraft and vehicles. But, I have no idea how the whole process works. What kind of modeling software are the devs using for making aircraft?

[BHawthorne]

Depends on if you're wanting to model real aircraft, or for a game. The software is mesh based for games and solids based for real. For real you'd use CATIA V5 R18 or newer.

[PiF]

Using 3D Modeling Software oriented for pure software application like BHawthorne said is HIGHLY recommended, you can handle parallel things like shaders, mapping, materials, etc... way more easier than a computer assisted conception software, also, formats used are more fitted for visual rendering.

[all-fired-up]

Thanks for the response. I guess I'm most interested in doing 3D modeling of aircraft and vehicles. But, I have no idea how the whole process works. What kind of modeling software are the devs using for making aircraft?

I'm assuming you are meaning 3D modeling for flight simulation "games".

I use Cinema 4D. The good ones out there are Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, Softimage, Maya, Lightwave, Modo, even Blender. Blender is free: http://www.blender.org/ (but the GUI is a bit cryptic, but once you get into it, it will be less intimidating)

It's really your choice, but the programs aren't going to create the models for you, that's where your skills come in. Any one of these apps. will work, it's just artist preference.

I would also point you to Military Meshes (http://www.military-meshes.com/)

Currently I'm working on an A-7D build in Cinema 4D then I will be putting that model into AC3D for animation and then off it goes right into X-plane.

A-7D build X-plane (http://www.fighterops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9295)

and

A-7D build (http://www.fighterops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6412) (initial batch of renders)


To see the process of how to model aircraft go here:
http://www.colacola.se/wip_p47_refsetup.htm

Check out Anders' F-16 piece, he's now working in Modo.

ColaCola.se (http://www.colacola.se/wip_f16.htm)

http://www.colacola.se/pix/f16_wip/f16_wip_11.jpg

The tutorial is for C4D but the concepts are still the same.

Happy Modeling!

[Inous]

i could only imagine what the poly count is on that 16.... all the round edges make for high poly counts. But no matter its easily baked and applied to to a low poly model and ready for use in game, if thats what the model is being used for.