Re: FLASH: 3D Vector Program for MacOS

[John Olson]

>I'm looking for a great 3D program for the MacOS -- any suggestions? I

don't

>want to do picture type 3D rendering, but am moreso interested in rendering

>vector images, logos, lineart, etc. into 3D.


Its been mentioned here already, but Strata released version 3 of

their software as freeware recently.  It is limited compared to the

full Pro version, but free is free.  I have used Strata's product a

lot and while it has its bugs.. I have found it to be one of the

nicer tools on the Mac side...and you cant beat free..

It would be my recommendation..but there are a lot of other

choices...(regardless of what the pc crowd may think)



Other 3d apps for the Mac OS are:


Adobe Dimensions - not a true 3d package but great for what it

does... turns your illustrator or eps files into 3d using the basic

tools.   no advanced rendering or animation..but gets the job done..


VectorEffects -  plugin for Illustrator and Freehand that allow for

3d effects similar to Dimensions.


Cinema4d ( they have 3 versions...the more powerful, the more

expensive - GO, SE, and XL)

http://www.maxon.de/usa/index.html   - good package.. well rounded

and has lots of features..probably more than you may need for what

you are doing..   Maybe look at the GO package.. I have not used the

GO version, but I have used XL.. I am not a huge fan of the modeling

tools.. but everything else is top notch.


Lightwave - to be honest.. I havent used Lightwave..but from what I

understand, its a great tool... but probably a lot more than what you

need.


Inspire 3d - the little brother of Lightwave...  more limited tools

and I think it lacks in the animation department... might be worth

investigating.


Strata Pro version - hmm....no reason to buy the 'cow' if the milk is

free...  I would use the free version unless the Pro version has

something you absolutely needed.


Electric Image - high end package... now has a modeling tool..

probably way more than what you need as well.


Pixels3d - (www.pixels.net)  good 3d package, but more for modeling

and animating characters and creatures... not the greatest when it

comes to importing outside eps, or illustrator files..


Ray Dream - easy to use... not the greatest of interfaces...  I

havent used this one since 1994 so I cant make a recommendation..


Carrera - dont know much about this one other than what I have seen

in magazines...but since it has been bounced around...and I think its

owned by Adobe now.....


Infini-d 4.5  - I learned on this one... well not version 4.5 ...

version 2.0 I think...  good basic package...but questionable future

since I think it is orphaned now.


Amapi - interesting modeling and rendering package... originally was

owned by a French company Yonawat... now owned by TGS..  very

powerful modeling package...only recently added rendering and some

animation. the interface takes a while to get used to ...  and you

either like it or hate it.


Animation Master - very powerful modeling package, but more directed

towards modeling characters.. uses 'patches' to model...another love

or hate package..


FormZ - CAD oriented package... very steep learning curve but very

very powerful modeling package and rendering.


Just to name a few....  ...and there are others..



-John



	John J. Olson


	Multimedia Specialist

	Maricopa Advanced Technology Education Center

	http://matec.org


	phone	(480) 517-8664

	fax	(480) 517-8669



flasher is generously supported by...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

World Animation Celebration - Big Internet Animation Pow Wow Discount Offer


Register before May 25 mention flasher and save 25%!! www.wacfest.com


Be discovered, get a job or have your web series picked up.  A big talent search for Shockwave

and Flash animators is happening May 30-June 4 in Hollywood.  Featuring Rob Burgess, Matt

Groening, Brad Bird and more.   www.wacfest.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To unsubscribe or change your list settings go to

http://www.chinwag.com/flasher or email

helpchinwag [dot] com