CompuServe Thread

#Completing the package!

10 messages in this thread
#173369From: zack lyonJun 2, 1995 5:23 PM
I have just begun to be familiar and comfortable with 3D studio r4. What I would like to know is this. Can I create real world product depictions with the plain package of r4? If not, what would be the recommendations in terms of software that would help to create a modeling and animation package capable of doing real world stuff. For example. Last month's front cover of CGW; A Casio watch; An HP calculator; A FORD Probe; a cat; a chicken; an airplane; etc. etc. It apears that these things cannot be fully realized in the plain jane package of 3D studio. What would I have to aquire to do these things (disreguarding the fact of a lot more education)? Thanks, Zack LYon
#173390From: Yost GroupJun 2, 1995 7:40 PM
You should be able to make plenty of real-world objects and scenes with 3DS, as it comes. There are a lot of wonderful plug-ins out there that offer some amazing effects and some powerful tools, but if you can't make an HP calculator with 3DS as it ships, then the answer is not a missing plug-in, but the old saw about how to get to Carnegie Hall…
#173408From: Jack DeathJun 2, 1995 9:48 PM
"For example. Last month's front cover of CGW; A Casio watch; An HP calculator; A FORD Probe; a cat; a chicken; an airplane; etc. etc. It apears that these things cannot be fully realized in the plain jane package of 3D studio. What would I have to aquire to do these things (disreguarding the fact of a lot more education)?" Now is defin. the time to do the tutorials and to read the manual…
#173464From: zack lyonJun 3, 1995 12:14 PM
Okay, So what you're saying is that these things can be produced in plain jane 3D Studio. That is what I need to know. I have tryed to create a simple cushion without success and I must relate it to my ignorance of the package's ability and my lack of understanding. Have you an image that similar to those previously listed that you could send me. One you created without any add ons? There are plenty of examples in the manual but it doesn't go into how they came to be. Although some mention plug-ins or add ons that helped to finalize the images. I have been going through the manual and I have yet to figure how to do some of these things. I use AutoCAD and DESIGNER, but I would like to be able to quickly create a look for the client and output it for their approval using 3DS. Thanks for your input, Zack
#173529From: Jack DeathJun 3, 1995 11:48 PM
"I use AutoCAD and DESIGNER, but I would like to be able to quickly create a look for the client and output it for their approval using 3DS. " Like any other (high-end) stuff, this is not a package you'll learn over-night. "I have tryed to create a simple cushion without success and I must relate it to my ignorance of the package's ability and my lack of understanding." Have you done the tutorials yet? Fit shapes, deformation and scaling grids come to mind…
#173678From: zack lyonJun 5, 1995 7:50 AM
Yeah, Yeah, I am just trying to get used to what results I get when changing the fit shapes, scaling, swapping, refining, etc. I was able to create a basic calculator type device, but now I am trying to figure out how to decal a LCD screen and numbers on the buttons. I know I can figure it out on my own, but any advice that would help me speed things up would help. I have many desktop publishing packages to create the artwork in. Fractal Painter and Kai's Power Tools comes to mind first. Zack
#173633From: Matthew VaughnJun 4, 1995 11:18 PM
Jack, You might try looking at some of the good books available on 3DS. The most readily available are Inside 3D Studio and 3D Studio Special Effects. You should be able to find them at any good bookstore. Just to get an idea of what is possible, take a look at Special Effects. Over half of the projects do not use any plug-ins. -Matt (Acive Media Graphics) -Matthew Vaughn
#174580From: Jack DeathJun 9, 1995 2:57 PM
"Jack, You might try looking at some of the good books available on 3DS…. -Matt (Acive Media Graphics) -Matthew Vaughn" Thanks! But I think you wanted to send this message to zack lyon… ;-0 Nice try though… hehe BTW, I do have both those books since the day they were published. Jack
#174709From: Matthew VaughnJun 10, 1995 3:28 PM
Jack, Sorry about that, good books though. You read so many messages sometimes I can't tell if they are comming or going. -Matt (Active Media Graphics) -Matthew Vaughn
#173802From: Evan SampsonJun 5, 1995 6:55 PM
Zack, As far as adding _no_ additional packages, that's going to be pretty tough (do-able, but tough). At the very least you should add a good paint box (Adobe Photoshop comes to mind, but there are others). A good draw program (such as Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw)will also be helpful. These will make map creation much more simple. The box "Inside 3DStudio" by New Riders Publishing is a great book for answering all of your general questions about models, maps, materials, keyframing, and lighting. It runs about $50 and is well worth it. It comes with a CD-ROM with tutorials and includes a lesson in which you place a map onto a calculator (pg 384-389. As a side note, this lesson uses Animator Pro as the paint package but it is possible to follow along with a different program if you are familiar with it). Hope that this helps. Evan Sampson