[buyuu]

I'm starting to get a decent grasp of 2d-graphics, however I feel almost totally clueless when it comes to 3d-modeling. I have always dreamt of working with computer games so I realise I have to learn it sooner or later... Comments, book tips, URL's etc anything would be highly appreciated.
I'm on a mac, btw.

[ May 13, 2001: Message edited by: buyuu ]

[shahar2k]

well, for low detail, in game models, you can start with www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/
get milkshape, mess around.

if you want something more interesting go to www.nichimen.com and try out Nendo

finally, I learned modeling through here, go to www.loonygames.com and read all of paul steed's "thinking outside the box" articles... ALL OF THEM! heh you'll get a bit more than modeling, but hey, there's nothing wrong with learning on the side,

finally... get some good solid time, and make lots of stuff, practice makes perfect you know!

[Darklighter]

you're on a mac? you can get strata studio for free at www.strata.com
the mac version of maya should be out soon, and lightwave's always been on mac's, so if you can get those 2 somehow, even better....
on actually learning it, there's so many tutorial sites for it out, you shouldn't have a prob, the best for low-poly stuff are prolly www.planetquake.com and www.planethalflife.com , they all host different sites with the kinda stuff you're looking for....

[Etah D'Te]

buyuu, shahar2k is right, Paul Steeds tutorials are some of the best going. I started with Rhino ( www.rhino3d.com ) you can d/load a 25 save version free from their site. It's a really simple program, but it's mainly NURBS and splines (it's good for free but not industry recognised at the mo). Pick up a copy of computer arts, they sometimes have a 15 day version of 3DS MAX and 3D World had Maya 3.0 on it's cover recently. If you do get MAX theres some good stuff at www.3dcafe.com

[ May 14, 2001: Message edited by: Etah D'Te ]

[postModern]

Hi,

My first post. You should also try Pixels3D software. Check:
www.pixels.net.

You can get a free version. The current version is starting to show its age, but they are promising that the next version will be really great-- we'll see. It is nurbs based. Render is slow but high quality. Texturing is excellent. It takes a while to get to get used to the interface, but once you do, you will curse every other interface you ever meet.

matt

[buyuu]

Thanks alot guys, I'll check these out..

[kerosene]

For games polygon tools are iportant. Good general non program specific info in 3d can be found at:

3Drender by jeremy birn
3D Ark
highend 3D

[ May 16, 2001: Message edited by: kerosene ]

[WICKED]

paul steed's "thinking outside the box" articles are amazing. I just took a look at them and I have decided to print them all out! Might take it awhile but it's worth it. I also bought a 3d max book. Wonder if its any good or not "Inside 3d studio max 3 Modeling, Materials, and Rendering."

good luck on your quest to learing 3d animation.

WICKED