Question 3d modeling programs

[n72.75]

What are y'all using for 3d modeling programs for Orbiter addons these days.

Is anyone still using Anim8or in 2015?

I could never get the hang of these "artistic" programs, always been more of a parametric cad guy myself.

 

[Pipcard]

I know that the add-on devs at Forum Orbiter Italia use Anim8or, but some of us here use Wings3D (including me).

 

[RisingFury]

Blender's a pretty good one. Also free.

 

[DaveS]

GMAX/AC3D is what I use.

 

[Donamy]

AC3D for ease of use, and it's cheap.

 

[SolarLiner]

If Parametric CAD is more your thing, then FreeCAD might be worth taking a look.
I personally use Blender myself for the very limited uses I did with, and never tried it, though. Might be worth using it for Orbiter.

 

[gattispilot]

Anim8or.

 

[Loru]

I'd suggest GMAX / 3ds Max (first one free) for the sake of internal msh export script. Also basic tools are the same in GMAX / 3dsmax so you can use vast database of tutorials. I'd choose 3ds max for epic import / export capability.

 

[Urwumpe]

vim

 

[n72.75]

vim

That's hardcore.

 

[Hielor]

Wings3D has a much more intuitive interface than many of the others listed here, is free, and also has an export-directly-to-Orbiter plugin available.

 

[Pipcard]

Wings3D has a much more intuitive interface than many of the others listed here, is free, and also has an export-directly-to-Orbiter plugin available.

But is there a better, more intuitive UV mapping option? Sometimes, the mesh won't unwrap the way I want it to.

 

[BruceJohnJennerLawso]

vim

Ahahaha

Wouldnt it be cool if a kinect could be used to scan real life objects into orbiter mesh files. I suspect that probably already exists...

aha, yup

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16666308/saving-kinect-reconstructed-3d-view-into-a-file

Just needs a .msh conversion step at the end.

 

[Hielor]

But is there a better, more intuitive UV mapping option? Sometimes, the mesh won't unwrap the way I want it to.

I've always been terrible at UV mapping and texturing, but I seem to recall there being a way to indicate in Wings where you want the "cuts" to happen for the unwrap step...

 

[Pipcard]

I seem to recall there being a way to indicate in Wings where you want the "cuts" to happen for the unwrap step...

I knew about that, but here's an example of what I'm talking about.

I tried to UV map that selection of polygons. I selected the "Unfolding" option. The inner ring of polygons was fine, but the outer ring was mangled into a strange formation. I didn't even make any cuts to it. This was only a very minor setback, as it worked when I selected the "Projection Normal" option, but you see what I mean.

 

[Blake]

Blender.

Blender's UI and UV mapping tools have come a long way in the last few years. (or I have just finally figured out how to use them)

 

[Hielor]

No idea, sorry. As I said, I'm terrible with texturing.

 

[4throck]

I second Blender.

Things like Pipcard's example are really basic to do in Blender.
Just select the faces, use an orthogonal camera view that has those faces facing you and "project from view". As simple as that.

 

[IronRain]

I'm still using Anim8or for my personal add-ons.
I also have AC3D but I lack the time to fully work with it.

 

[Donamy]

I'm still using Anim8or for my personal add-ons.
I also have AC3D but I lack the time to fully work with it.

I can help if you with AC3D questions.