Ship Designing (Bryce, Lightwave, 3d's Max)

Macintosh, one clicker only, cannot find a polgon screen anywhere. Have version 7 but could probably update it if I don't have to pay large sums of cash to do so.

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Prime...Awacins

oh man... get a multiple button mouse. I have a mac, but I always use multiple button mice. Most 3D graphics programs use multiple buttons. Maya uses three buttons, Lightwave needs two (although you can get along without)

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(url="http://"http://www.ambrosiasw.com/webboard/Forum9/HTML/005135.html#")Walkthroughs for 3D space scenes and objects(/url) - please feel free to add your own methods to the thread.

I actually like Maya's mouse inteface more than Lightwave's. It's nice to be able to translate, rotate, and zoom the perspective camera without having to change your hand position. With Maya, you hold down option, and left mouse button rotates the view, middle translates the view, and right zooms. With Lightwave, you press option, and you can translate the orthographic views, but in perspective you can only rotate. Zooming requires the somewhat clumsy zoom box, and I haven't figured out how to translate the view without switching to an ortho view. On the other hand, I model a lot faster in Lightwave, so I guess I can live with Lightwave's interface. Prime, when you get a multi button mouse, try to get a wireless optical mouse (Bluetooth or whatever) that's nice and ergonomic and fits your hand well. You're going to be using your mouse quite a bit, and you don't want to accelerate the carpal tunnel syndrome that you'll be giving yourself.

Oh yea, and it's been bothering me. 3D Studio Max should be abbreviated 3DSMax, or 3DS Max, or just Max. It's not 3D's Max. That makes a bit of sense, but that would indicate that the "s" is a contraction, and not part of the acronym. But since you have a Mac, you don't have to worry about 3DSMax because it's for PC only.

Matrix

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"Interestingly, according to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought -- particularly for people who can never remember where they have left things." - Woody Allen

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(This message has been edited by what_is_the_matrix (edited 07-08-2004).)

Ah, well that's how I saw it written on the sight, so that how I wrote it. To be honest, I've always though multie button mice were a little to confusing. I never liked them very much, but its not like I've had a lot of practice either. I've wished for one at times, in games like Diablo, but otherwise I didn't see any need for one. How much do the Bluetooth wireless mice cost? And how do a rotate and object in Lightwave? (The cone is killing me)

I am suppost to use the modeler right?

And Matrix, your valantine is messed up...I've seen the cartoons, I felt really bad for the poor things. My sister would desolve in tears.

(This message has been edited by Prime (edited 07-08-2004).)

(This message has been edited by Prime (edited 07-13-2004).)

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Originally posted by Prime:
And how do a rotate and object in Lightwave? (The cone is killing me)

I have deleted this post on the grounds that I have fixed the rotate bug.

(This message has been edited by Prime (edited 07-09-2004).)

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Bryce is fine for making ships. It just takes a little patience.

I respectfully disagree. In my experience, while it is fine as a modeller (albeit lacking advanced modeling tools), you can't make EVN ships with it because perspective can't be turned off.

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To quote a pillar of American society: D'OH!

I'm finding Bryce to be reasonable enough. I'm having to use it now because aperantly my version of lightwave was pirated. And I won't use pirated software, even though the grossly overcharge people for the real program. In any case, Bryce is ok at making ships. The only problem is you have all these basic shapes to work with, and its a bit of a pain in the arse to get the shape you want.

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Prime...Awacins

I'd have to disagree about grossly overcharging. Around $300 is perfectly reasonable for the educational version of a very good program. As for the noneducational price - it's reasonable considering that people do make real movies and commercials and stuff like that with it.

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(url="http://"http://www.adventuredog.net")Adventure Dog(/url): Everyone's favorite little black and white dog.
(url="http://"http://www.ambrosiasw.com/webboard/Forum9/HTML/005135.html#")Walkthroughs for 3D space scenes and objects(/url) - please feel free to add your own methods to the thread.

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Originally posted by Prime:
**...even though the grossly overcharge people for the (Lightwave)...
**

Lightwave is expensive because it's a standard program for the animation industry and it has lots of good features. If you're a High School or College student, you can get Lightwave (and programs like it) at substantially cheaper prices from (url="http://"http://www.journeyed.com")www.journeyed.com(/url). You just need to have written proof (a receipt, student id, etc) of current enrollment (it tends to differ from company to company). I got my copy of Lightwave for around $300.

Matrix

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"Interestingly, according to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought -- particularly for people who can never remember where they have left things." - Woody Allen

(url="http://"http://htf.mondominishows.com/valentine/main.asp?seed=7375&serial;=214877")The funniest valentine I've ever gotten.(/url)

I've heard Strata 3D reccommended, and I downloaded the free version 3.0.2, but it is no longer supported and the software tries to verify the serial number you use with 3d.com (which is no longer in that business) and that fails to work. The only other free softwares I see on Strata's website are trial versions on a time limited basis. Is there a different one I should get or could someone put up a link to a copy of their preferences file for a registered copy of 3.0.2? (It is free after all, so it's legal)

Thanks

Not quite so. One member of this board used to do it, but ended up stopping as it wasn't very legal.

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Bryce takes a little while to get used to but it can produce some incredible variations on the common shapes... it just takes a bit of time. Examples:
(url="http://"http://evula.org/tnjo/ss/ssfrontp.jpg")http://evula.org/tnjo/ss/ssfrontp.jpg(/url) , (url="http://"http://evula.org/tnjo/ss/cannon.jpg")http://evula.org/tnjo/ss/cannon.jpg(/url) , (url="http://"http://evula.org/tnjo/ss/ssbackp.jpg")http://evula.org/tnjo/ss/ssbackp.jpg(/url) , (url="http://"http://evula.org/tnjo/ss/ssside.jpg")http://evula.org/tnjo/ss/ssside.jpg(/url)
Those took me about 2 weeks to make. Possibly 3.
(but your dealing with (url="http://"http://evula.org/tnjo/ss/wireframe.jpg")this(/url) in the wireframe.)

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