I want to teach myself 3d modelling. Where do I start?

posted on July 16th, 2012, 2:45 am

I want to learn how to create 3D models so I can eventually make a spaceship, texture it, and make a mod out of it for fleet ops. I have no idea where to start though, there are so many different programs and different tutorials and websites to learn from. I've done a bit of research and so far Blender looks good. I've even played around with Blender, and so far it seems to have the easiest UI to use. I also have a student account with Autodesk, so I'm able to download 3ds max, maya, and the rest of their software for free. Is Blender an okay program to start with? And once I learn the basics for modelling in blender, like how to make primitives and manipulate them, where should I go to learn some more advanced techniques for making actual models? What about texturing and UV mapping? I want to eventually learn how to create those, too.

posted on July 16th, 2012, 5:42 am

As far as learning curve on the UI, I'd say Blender is probably the best to start on. I've played around with both Max and Maya and they both have equally obscure interfaces; particularly for new comers. Blender is also good because it's big on getting the user into the modelling process and topology; this is as opposed to Max and Maya which do a lot of stuff for you which can result in some screwy geometry. Also, while you may be able to get the Autodesk stuff for free, I seem to recall their student licences lasting only 3 - 4 years before they expire.

As far as learning, the best tutorial site out there is by far Blender Cookie. They have a lot of both free content and subscriber (i.e. paid) content on all topics from modeling to unwrapping to texturing. That said, I don't think they've ever done a spaceship and some of their older material may be a bit dated (Blender has progressed very quickly in the last year even). There's also Blender Guru; Andrew Price (the site's owner) does good stuff but the tutorials are sort of a mixed bag and the earlier stuff focuses a lot on compositing (i.e. post production). For more open ended questions there's Blender Artists which is Blender's main community site (i.e. forum).

The only problem with using Blender is that there's no SOD exporter for Blender which could be problematic for getting stuff into FO. There is one out there for Max, but it's for a much older version, I don't know if it still works. There's also one floating around for Milkshape, but again, I don't know if it works in the latest version. Blender does have an exporter for OBJ which is a very standard 3D format which also supports UVs and materials (i.e. textures) to some extend. So you could export to OBJ and then use something else to get it out to SOD.

posted on July 16th, 2012, 5:57 am

The 3dsMax exporter was just recently reworked for all versions in fact http://guide.fleetops.net/guide/modding ... D-Exporter

posted on July 16th, 2012, 6:35 am

i find milkshape is the best to use tbh

posted on July 16th, 2012, 10:50 pm

I would recomend Google SketchUp. It's easy to learn and use. When fully active, it can export files compatable with 3DS Max, Milkshape, Maya (I think), and (possably) Blender.

It's only downside is that it doesn't animate models, or texturing them very well, unless your good at aligning flat images. However, after importing models into the other programs, texturing and animating are a breeze. (Or impossable, I've never animated my units before)

I've added my newer model for the DSS Morte Navi as an example. Yah, its not textured, but it will still kick ass on the battle field.

Attachments

Morte Navi.jpg (75.81 KiB) Viewed 924 times

posted on July 17th, 2012, 5:04 am

As far as learning curve on the UI, I'd say Blender is probably the best to start on.

Blender seems like the best one to me, too, so I'm going to use it. I found this book for learning Blender on wikibooks. So far it seems excellent.

posted on July 17th, 2012, 2:20 pm

While you'll do a lot of learning in a specific package, don't forget the aim of what you're learning -- to understand how a 3D model is built, how to texture it, and so on. Once you have those principles, you'll be able to get up and running in a different package a lot more quickly.

posted on July 17th, 2012, 4:20 pm

I recommend you to use Wings 3D.. it's freeware and probably the best free tool available for modelling. While you have several options less compared to full price programs it's still very good.

I'd try it myself couple of times and actually created some decent models but then simply failed on the texturing part so I lost my interest.

http://www.wings3d.com/

posted on July 17th, 2012, 6:11 pm

I found this book for learning Blender on wikibooks. So far it seems excellent.

Yeah, that looks pretty good, but as the warning on the front page says, a lot of the material is still for 2.4x so some of the techniques and tools may be a bit out dated, particularly now that 2.63+ has BMesh and N-gons (that is faces can have more than 4 sides). That said, since you'll be modeling for a game you'll want tris in the end anyhow.

I recommend you to use Wings 3D.. it's freeware and probably the best free tool available for modelling. While you have several options less compared to full price programs it's still very good.

I'd try it myself couple of times and actually created some decent models but then simply failed on the texturing part so I lost my interest.

http://www.wings3d.com/

I've played around with Wings too; its UI is pretty obstruce as well. And as for Sketchup, it's neet and clever and all, but not really meant for serious work.

posted on July 18th, 2012, 2:23 am

As for Sketchup, it's neet and clever and all, but not really meant for serious work.

(In mock offense) I protest to that. If you know what your doing, you could make the most advanced 3D models in any program, even SketchUp.

I always shoot for low polly models, as my current computers don't have too much processing power. If I had a more powerful computer, and more imagination then I do now, I would make an advanced 3D model that would stop anything with only 2.5 GHz of power...
Not that I have... (pushes super large file into hidden folder)

Again, my point is that any program will give you an advanced 3D model, but you have to have the time to do it. Most of my stuff can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to make. The Morte Navi's current model took me a week, and now I have to change the upper part of the saucer.

Now, dreyas, listen. Years ago, I didn't even know how to use Sketch Up. It took me almost 2 weeks to figure out the main controls, and I'm still learning stuff about it. I recommend you chose a program, experiment with it for a while, get to know all the controls, then let your imagination run with it.

posted on July 18th, 2012, 1:36 pm

i find milkshape is the best to use tbh

I have used several different programs as well, including blender, maya, max, etc, and I think you are right. Milkshape is very simple and limited, making it not the best for advanced users, but a perfect learning platform.

posted on July 31st, 2012, 5:00 pm

Hi. You can use Google SketchUp to design your spaceships for Fleet Ops. Than you can import your models into MilkShape 3D, where you can create the SOD format for the starships to can be used in the game. Or, you can start modeling with MilkShape. Website: http://chumbalum.swissquake.ch/ // MilkShape on DeviantArt: http://milkshape-3d.deviantart.com/ //Free 3D Models: http://models3d.ru/category/scifi/page/2

posted on August 2nd, 2012, 1:42 pm

You can use Google SketchUp to design your spaceships for Fleet Ops. Than you can import your models into MilkShape 3D, where you can create the SOD format for the starships to can be used in the game.

This is exactly what I do. This prevents me from having to rebuild it in Milkshape, which is a pain for me.