3D computer graphics software
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3D computer graphics software is a program or collection of 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.
Major Packages
Maya (Autodesk) is currently the leading animation program for cinema; nearly every studio uses it. It is known as difficult to learn, but it is possibly the most powerful 3D package. When studios use Maya, they typically replace parts of it with proprietary software. Studios will also render using Pixar's Renderman, rather than the default mentalray. Autodesk, makers of 3DS Max, recently bought Maya from Alias and have rebranded it. There are still open questions about how independent Maya will be from 3DS Max.Softimage|XSI (Avid) is often seen as head-to-head competition with Maya, and is very feature-similar. Fans of the two packages often will often argue the merits of each. XSI was once the leader in animation, but lagged as Maya surged ahead. It is now trying to reclaim the top spot.
3D Studio Max (Autodesk), often abbreviated 3DS Max, is the leading animation program in the video game industry. Experts argue that it is very good at handling low-polygon animation, but perhaps its greatest asset to the computer/video industry is its entrenched support network and its many plugins. It is also the most expensive of the high-end packages, coming at $3500 US, compared to about $2000 for the others. Because of its presence in the video game industry, it is also a popular hobbyist package.
Houdini (Side Effects Software) is a high-end package that is found often in studios. Its most common use is in animating special effects, rather than models.
LightWave 3D (NewTek) is a popular 3D package because of its easy-to-learn interface; many artists prefer it to the more technical Maya or 3DS Max. It has weaker modeling and particularly animation features than some of the larger packages, but it is still used widely in film and broadcasting.
Cinema 4D (MAXON) is a lighter package than the others. Its main asset is its artist-friendliness, avoiding the complicated technical nature of the other packages. For example, a popular plugin, BodyPaint, allows artists to draw textures directly onto the surface of models.
formZ (autodessys, Inc.) is a general purpose 3D modeler. Its forte is modeling. Many of its users are architects, but also include designers from many fields including interior designers, illustrators, product designers, set designers. Its default renderer uses the LightWorks rengering engine for raytracing and radiosity. formZ has been around since 1991, available for both the Macintosh and Windows operating systems.
Other packages
FreeBlender is a free software package that mimics the larger packages. It is being developed under the GPL, after its previous owner, Not a Number Technologies, went bankrupt.
Art of Illusion is another free software package developed under the GPL.
Wings 3D is a BSD-licensed, minimal modeler.
Anim8or is another free 3d rendering and animation package.
Equinox-3D
Not Free
MilkShape 3D is a shareware/trialware polygon 3D modelling program with extensive import/export capabilities.
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.
Bryce (DAZ productions) is most famous for landscapes.
modo, created by developers who splintered from NewTek, is a new modeling program.
Zbrush(Pixologic) is a digital sculpting tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing and painting.
Realsoft 3D
AC3D
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. mental ray is another popular renderer, and comes default with most of the high-end packages. POV-Ray and YafRay are two free renderers.
Related to 3D software
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 or Apple Shake at the high end.
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