[Wagner]

I have a few questions about 3-d modeling and rendering software.

1. What is a good 3-d modeling and rendering program that is free and downloadable from the internet. I currently have gmax (stripped down free version of 3ds max), with an addition that makes it render into sim city 4 buildings (weird perspective, fixed cameras). gmax alone dose not have a rendering feature.

2. What is a good 3-d modeling and rendering program that is cheap (under 250$), and what is a good 3-d modeling and rendering program under 60$.

I have a PC, and I'll be using this program for illustrations, and for short movies. Any help is ultra appreciated! thanks!
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I just realised that my screen name is Wagner, but my last name is Wagner, I'm not making any references to anyone.

[Jimmyjimjim]

Have you checked out the personal learning version of Maya?

http://www.alias.com/eng/products-services/maya/maya_ple/index.shtml

Full-featured, free, and RENDERS (albiet with a watermark). I don't know for sure, but you might be able to use Blue Moon Rendering Tools (BMRT), which is a Renderman-compliant rendering engine (i.e: clone). Gotta warn you about BMRT- it's essentially and interface-free program which requires alot of scripting. Royal pain. There are plenty of tuts out there, though.

BMRT was at www.bmrt.org, but it appears to be down now.

I've also heard many good things about Animation Master-

http://www.hash.com/

Fairly robust st $299, check it out.

[Wagner]

hmmm, thanks. I tried out the maya learning version, but the water mark is a little too big. At least I'll be able to get some good practice in with it (in less than a year I'll be in college where I'll have access to a full version of maya)

thanks
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I just realised that my screen name is Wagner, but my last name is Wagner, I'm not making any references to anyone.