From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It has been suggested that 3D modeler be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

3D computer graphics

Basics

3D modeling / 3D scanning 3D rendering / 3D printing 3D computer graphics software 3D modeling software

Primary Uses

3D models / Computer-aided design Graphic design / Video games Visual effects / Visualization Virtual engineering / Virtual reality

Related concepts

CGI / Animation / 3D display Wireframe model / Texture mapping Computer animation / Motion capture Skeletal animation / Crowd simulation Global illumination / Volume rendering This box: view • talk • edit

3D computer graphics software refers to programs used to create 3D computer-generated imagery. There are typically many stages in the "pipeline" that studios use to create 3D objects for film and games, and this article only covers some of the software used. Note that most of the 3D packages have a very plugin-oriented architecture, and high-end plugins costing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars are often used by studios. Larger studios usually create enormous amounts of proprietary software to run alongside these programs.

If you are just getting started out in 3D, one of the major packages is usually sufficient to begin learning. Remember that 3D animation can be very difficult, time-consuming, and unintuitive; a teacher or a book will likely be necessary. Most of the high-end packages have free versions designed for personal learning.

Contents 1 Major packages 2 Other packages 3 Renderers 4 Related to 3D software 5 References

A comprehensive comparison of significant 3D packages can be found at CG Society Wiki and TDT3D 3D applications 2007 comparisons table..

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (August 2007)

• 3ds Max (Autodesk), originally called 3D Studio MAX. 3ds Max is used in many industries that utilize 3D graphics. It is used in the video game industry for developing models and creating cinema cut-scenes. It is used in architectural visualizations because it is highly compatible with AutoCAD--also developed by Autodesk. Additionally 3ds Max is used in film production, one contemporary film being Kaena: The Prophecy^[1]. With its price of around $3500 USD, it is one of the more expensive products in the market for this type of work. 3ds Max is available for Windows. 3DS Max is currently at version "2008" (v10).

• AC3D (Inivis) is another 3D modeling application that began in the 90's on the Amiga platform. While it is used in a number of industries, MathWorks actively recommends it in many of their aerospace related articles^[2] due to price and compatibility. Additionally it is the first commercial 3D modeler to integrate full support for exporting models to the metaverse platform Second Life. AC3D is priced in the range of $79 USD and is available for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. While AC3D does not feature its own renderer, it can generate output files for both RenderMan and POV-Ray among others.

• Blender (Blender Foundation) is a free, open-source, 3D studio for animation, modeling, rendering, and texturing offering a feature set comparable to high end and mid range 3D animation suites such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Cinema 4D. It includes features such as multi-resolution sculpting; retopology painting. Additionally it supports 3D view texture painting; stack based modifier system; flexible particle system with particle based hair; cloth/soft body dynamics, rigid body dynamics and fluid simulation; node based texturing and node based compositing; an integrated non linear video editor; and integrated game engine. Blender is developed under the GPL and is available on all major platforms including Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, Sun, and Irix. It is currently the only 3D animation suite that is supported both on super computers as well as handheld computers such as the Pocket PC (Pocket Blender).

• Cinema 4D (MAXON) is a slightly lighter package than the others in its basic configuration. The software is claimed to be artist-friendly, and is designed with the less-technical user in mind. It has a lower initial entry cost due to a modular a-la-carte design for purchasing additional functions as users need them. For example, a module called BodyPaint allows artists to draw textures directly onto the surface of models. Originally developed for the Commodore Amiga it is also available for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. Cinema 4D is currently at version 10.5

• Electric Image Animation System (EI Technology Group) is a 3D animation and rendering package available on both Mac OS X and Windows. Mostly known for its rendering quality and rendering speed it does not include a built-in modeler. EIAS features the ability to handle very large polygon counts. Recently, the blockbuster film "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"^[3] and the Television hit "Lost"^[4] utilized the software.

• form-Z (autodessys, Inc.) is a general purpose solid/surface 3D modeler. Its primary usage is modeling, and it also features rendering and animation support. form-Z claims users involved in architecture, interior design, illustration, product design, and set design. Its default renderer uses the LightWorks rendering engine for raytracing and radiosity. form-Z also supports Plugins and Scripts and has rendering support via Next Limit's Maxwell Renderer. It has Import/Export capabilities and was first released in 1991. It is currently available for both Mac OS X and Windows. The price for this software ranges from $1495-$2390USD based on output quality.

• Houdini (Side Effects Software) is used for visual effects, and character animation as well as used in Disney's The Wild^[5]. Houdini uses a nonstandard interface that it refers to as a "NODE system". Commercial licenses of Houdini include unlimited copies of Side Effects Software's hybrid micropolygon-raytracer renderer, Mantra, but Houdini also has built-in support for commercial renderers like Pixar's RenderMan and mental ray. There are two versions of Houdini, Houdini Escape ($1,995 USD) and Houdini Master ($7,995 USD). For non-commercial users, Side Effects Software offers the free Houdini Apprentice personal learning edition, which places a small watermark on images, and Houdini Apprentice HD, a $99 USD package that does not watermark renders. Houdini is currently at version 9.

• LightWave 3D (NewTek) originally developed on for the Amiga, LightWave 3D was originally bundled as part of the Video Toaster package and entered the market as a low cost way for TV production companies to create quality CG for their programming. It first gained public notoriety with its use in the TV series "Babylon 5"^[6]. Contemporary use in TV and movie production can be seen with the 2004 recreated Battlestar Galactica series^[7], CSI: Crime Scene Investigation^[8] and the film 300 (film)^[9]. It is priced at $795 USD and is available for both Windows and Mac OS X. Lightwave's curreny version is Version 9.3.1

• Massive is a 3D animation system for generating crowd-related visual effects, targeted for use in film and television. Originally developed for controlling the large-scale CGI battles in the Lord of the Rings^[10], Massive Software has become an industry standard for digital crowd control in high end animation. Recently, the software has been utilized for blockbuster feature films including Happy Feet, King Kong, and I, Robot. It is available for various Unix and Linux platforms as well as Windows.

• Maya (Autodesk) is currently used in the film and television industry. Maya has a high learning curve but has developed over the years into an application platform in and of itself through extendability via its MEL programming language. A common alternative to using the default built in rendering system named mental ray is Pixar's Renderman. In 2005, Autodesk (makers of AutoCAD), acquired Alias--the original creator of Maya^[11]. Maya comes in two versions: Maya Complete ($1999 USD) and Maya Unlimited ($6999 USD). There is also Maya Personal Learning Edition, which is for non-commercial use and puts watermarks on any rendered images. The current version of Maya is "2008" (v9)

• Modo (Luxology) is a subdivision modeling, texturing and rendering tool. Recently, version 301 added animation capabilities for camera motion and morphs / blendshapes. It is priced in the area of 895$ USD and is available for both Windows and Mac OS X. Modo's current version is 301.

• Silo (Nevercenter) is a subdivision-surface modeler available for Mac OS X and Windows, with a Linux version in development. Silo does not include a renderer and is priced in the area of $109 USD. Silo is the bundled in modeler for the Electric Image Animation System suite.

• SketchUp Pro (Google) is a 3D modeling package that features a sketch-based modeling approach and is priced at $495 USD.

• Softimage|XSI (Avid) is feature-similar Maya and is sold as a completive alternative. Prior to it's acquisition by Avid, Softimage originally promoted the program (under the name Softimage 3D) for use in the video game industry and secured it's promotion as part of the Nintendo N64 SDK^[12]. The newer Softimage XSI has additional features and integrates with mental ray rendering. XSI's current version is version 6.

• solidThinking (solidThinking Ltd) is a 3D solid/surface modeling and rendering software which features a Construction Tree method of development. This is explained as the history of the model construction process allowes real-time updates when modifications are made to points, curves, parameters or entire objects. solidThinking is available in four versions: MODELER, MODELER XL, DESIGN, and VANTAGE.

• trueSpace (Caligari Corporation) is another 3D program available for Windows, although the company Caligari first found it's start on the Amiga platform. trueSpace features modeling, animation, 3D-painting, and rendering capabilities. It is priced in the range of $199 USD for Version 5.2 through $595 USD for Version 7. The current version is 7.5

• Vue 6 (E-on Software) Vue 6 is a tool for creating, animating and rendering natural 3D environments. It was most recently used to create the background jungle environments in the 2nd and 3rd Pirates of the Caribbean films^[13]. The current version is v6.5

• ZBrush (Pixologic) is a digital sculpting tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing and painting tool available for Mac OS X and Windows. It is priced at $489 USD.The current version of Zbrush is V3.

See also 3D modeler

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (September 2006)

• Anim8or is a proprietary freeware 3D rendering and animation package.
• Animation:Master from HASH, Inc is a modeling and animation package that focuses on ease of use. It is a spline-based modeler. Its strength lies in character animation.
• Art of Illusion is a free software package developed under the GPL.
• AutoQ3D is a GPLed cross-platform modeler.
• Bryce (DAZ productions) is most famous for landscapes.
• Carrara (Eovia) is a 3D complete tool set package for 3D modeling, texturing animation and rendering; and Amapi and Hexagon (Eovia) are 3D packages often used for high-end abstract and organic modeling respectively.
• Cheetah3D is primarily aimed at amateur 3D artists with some medium- and high-end features
• Daz Studio a free specialized tool for adjusting parameters of preexisting models, posing and rendering them. Similar to Poser, but more limited in functionality.
• DeleD 3D Editor is a fully functional free game-oriented 3D Editor. PRO version also available.
• DIALux is a free light making software. It also makes buildings / architectural modeling and a little more. Used to cost thousands of dollars. It has renderers as well.
• DX Studio a complete integrated development environment for creating interactive 3D graphics. The system comprises both a real-time 3D engine and a suite of editing tools, and is the first product to offer a complete range of tools in a single IDE.
• Equinox-3D
• Grome is a professional modeler especially suited for outdoor environments. Used in gaming and 3D simulation industry.
• K-3D is a GNU modeling, animation, and rendering system available on Linux and Win32. It makes use of RenderMan-compliant render engines. It features scene graph procedural modelling similar to that found in Houdini.
• Landscape Studio is a Java-based heightmap generator.
• MakeHuman is a GPL program that generates 3D parametric humanoids.
• MeshLab is a free Windows, Linux and Mac OS X application for visualizing, simplifying, processing and converting large three dimensional meshes to or from a variety of 3D file formats.
• MilkShape 3D is a shareware/trialware polygon 3D modelling program with extensive import/export capabilities.
• Misfit Model 3D is an OpenGL-based 3D model editor that works with triangle-based models. It supports multi-level undo, skeletal animations, simple texturing, scripting, command-line batch processing, and a plugin system for adding new model and image filters. Complete online help is included. It is designed to be easy to use and easy to extend with plugins and scripts.
• Moonlight|3d is a modeling and animation tool.
• Mudbox Mudbox is a high resolution brush-based 3D sculpting program, that claims to be the first of its type. The software was acquired by Autodesk in 2007.
• OpenFX is a modeling and animation studio, distributed under the GPL.
• Pixels 3D is supports NURBS modeling, animation and effects and comes with a micropolygon renderer with node-based material graphs. It is available exclusively for Mac OS X.
• Poser (Smith Micro) Poser is a 3D rendering and animation software program optimized for models that depict the human figure in three-dimensional form and is specialized for adjusting features of preexisting character models via varying parameters. It is also for posing and rendering of models and characters. It includes some specialized tools for walk cycle creation, cloth and hair.
• RealFlow simulates and renders particle systems of rigid bodies and fluids.
• Realsoft 3D
• ShapeShop is a free sketch-based 3D modeling tool based on hierarchical implicit surfaces. Like Sketchup, it is very easy to use, but can create a much wider range of smooth surfaces.
• SharpConstruct is a free 3D modeling program that works like ZBrush.
• Terragen and Terragen 2 are freeware scenery generators.
• Wings 3D is a BSD-licensed, minimal modeler.
• 3D MESH BLACKSMITH is a 3D modeler that incorporates features useful in video game level design{cite}, or for designing 3D objects through a simplified interface. The application also features tools for character modeling and animation, object animation scripting, mesh generation and editing as well as 3D painting (colors and bump map). It uses a pseudo "C style" scripting language.

• Aqsis is a free rendering suite compliant with the RenderMan standard.
• FPrime for Lightwave adds a very fast preview and can in many cases be used for final rendering.
• Fryrender is a multi-platform renderer which forgoes raytracing, global illumination and radiosity in favor of photon rendering with a virtual electromagnetic spectrum, resulting in very authentic looking renders. It is a competitor to Maxwell.
• Gelato is a hardware-accelerated, non-real-time renderer created by graphics card manufacturer NVIDIA.
• Indigo Renderer is a closed source (but free for all uses) photorealistic renderer that uses XML for scene description. Exporters available for Blender, Maya (Mti), Cinema4D, Rhino, 3ds Max.
• IRender for SketchUp add photorealistic rendering capabilities to SketchUp.
• Kerkythea is a freeware rendering system that supports raytracing. Currently, it can be integrated with 3ds Max, Blender, SketchUp, and Silo (generally any software that can export files in obj and 3ds formats). Kerkythea is a standalone renderer, using physically accurate materials and lighting.
• KRay for Lightwave offers very fast radiosity rendering solutions
• Sunflow is an open source, photo-realistic renderer written in Java.
• Turtle is an alternative renderer for Maya, it specializes in faster radiosity and automatic surface baking technology which further enhances its speedy renders.
• Maxwell Render is a multi-platform renderer which forgoes raytracing, global illumination and radiosity in favor of photon rendering with a virtual electromagnetic spectrum, resulting in very authentic looking renders. It was the first to market.
• mental ray is another popular renderer, and comes default with most of the high-end packages.
• Pixar's RenderMan is the premier renderer, used in many studios. Animation packages such as 3DS Max and Maya can pipeline to RenderMan to do all the rendering.
• Pixie is an open source photorealistic renderer.
• POV-Ray (or The Persistence of Vision Raytracer) is a freeware (with source) ray tracer written for multiple platforms.
• VRay is promoted for use in the architectural visualization field used in conjunction with 3ds max and 3ds viz. It is also commonly used with Maya.
• YafRay raytracer/renderer distributed under the LGPL license.

Swift3D is a package for transforming models in Lightwave or 3DS Max into Flash animations. Match moving software is commonly used to match live video with computer-generated video, keeping the two in sync as the camera moves. Poser is the most popular program for modeling people. After producing video, studios then edit or composite the video using programs such as Adobe Premiere or Apple Final Cut at the low end, or Autodesk Combustion, Eye-on Digital Fusion, Apple Shake at the high end. MetaCreations Detailer and Painter 3D are discontinued software applications specifically for painting texture maps on 3-D Models. Any raster graphic editor software may be used to touch up rendered 3D still images from any 3D software application.

1. ^ Raising Kaena. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
2. ^ About Aerospace Coordinate Systems. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
3. ^ Electric Image Animation Software (EIAS) v6.6.1 UB Port Is Shipping. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
4. ^ EIAS Production List. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
5. ^ C.O.R.E. Goes to The Wild. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
6. ^ Desktop Hollywood F/X. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
7. ^ So Say We All: The Visual Effects of "Battlestar Galactica". Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
8. ^ CSI: Dallas. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
9. ^ Epic effects for 300. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
10. ^ Lord of the Rings terror: It was just a software bug. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
11. ^ Graphics Heavyweights Merge. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
12. ^ Softimage and Nintendo Team to Help Developers Create Hit Video Games. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
13. ^ Vue Helps ILM Create Environments for 'Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest' VFX. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2007)