#3D Studio – can do?
5 messages in this thread
I'm a painter and sculptor looking to do some research into composition and
perspective systems. I'm looking for a 3D CADD program which will allow to
do the following:
1. Create a gridded floor plan and make and move cubic human
figures on it.
2. Change the point-of-view from far to near, overhead, etc, and
change the scale of image depicted at the same time, i.e. start close and
move far away while keeping the depicted figures the same size.
3. Animate the above.
4. Alter the perspective system used, e.g. use a picture
hemisphere instead of a picture plane, and make a movie of one becoming the
other.
5. Any 3D modelling tools which allow me to refine the original
humanoid forms — to make them more organic (and complex) — would be
useful.
Can 3D Studio handle all this? I'm excited to find out. Thank you for
your reply.
Kirby.
Kirby:
Sounds like 3D Studio would be perfect for you!
1. Create a gridded floor plan and make and move cubic human figures on it.
Easy! 3DS comes with a grid-maker and human figure to start you out.
2. Change the point-of-view from far to near, overhead, etc, and change the
scale of image depicted at the same time, i.e. start close and move far
away while keeping the depicted figures the same size.
Just set up a camera and change the location and field of view.
3. Animate the above.
That's what the keyframer does!
4. Alter the perspective system used, e.g. use a picture hemisphere instead
of a picture plane, and make a movie of one becoming the other.
This one sounds interesting, but I'm not sure I quite understand. Not
that it'll stop me from guessing! If a picture plane is the standard
view, mapped flat, then a picture hemisphere is a hemisphere with the
image mapped onto that? If so, yes! If not, please explain! <g>
5. Any 3D modelling tools which allow me to refine the original humanoid
forms — to make them more organic (and complex) — would be useful.
Yes, you have full control over the amount of detail in your models – or
you may wish to purchase some detailed people to start with and modify
them from there. Wizard people, from in northern California, would be a
very good start.
If there are any other questions, or more detail on 4. above, just holler!
Sounds like you will be doing some very interesting work! If you haven't
seen the 1992 3D Studio Siggrpaph demo tape, you should probably take a look
at it. This may answer some of your questions and give you some more ideas
of some of the capabilities of the program! If you can't get hold of one
locally, let me know and I'll send you one.
Greg Pyros
Greg,
Thanks for your reply — it has me very excited. Your guess about the
"picture hemisphere" is correct, but of course it all depends on how it is
mapped. Do I understand correctly that the changeable "field of view"
allows one to zoom in and out *without changing the point of view*? If so,
great!
I'd hope you don't mind my troubling you with three more questions.
1. Ease of use. What really is the learning curve for 3DS? I am computer
literate, have used many programs (including Animator, but not Ani Pro),
and do expect that it will take at least thirty hours of use before I'll
feel comfortable with 3DS. Is that reasonable? Are there good guides?
Does it matter that I don't know what "keyframing" is, yet?
2. Overkill. I don't need many special effects. What I've said I want to
do is all I want to do (I *will* get carried away anyway). Can you
recommend a pared down program which will allow me to set up a grid, move
cameras, bend the space? I don't care if I do all this with wireframes.
3. Hardware. >>Sigh<< 386Sx 4M, no co-pro, no space on my 65M RLL drive.
What's the minimum *acceptable* configuration for 3DS?
I have not seen the 1992 3D Studio Siggrpaph demo tape, but would like to.
If I can get it at the local Autodesk retailer, I will. Otherwise I'll
take you up on your offer.
Thanks again,
Kirby.
Kirby:
Sounds like you have found the perfect program but don't have the machine to
run it on!
Yes, you can leave the camera in one place and zoom the lens in and out.
Answers:
1) Yes, 30 hours is about right to feel comfortable with the program.
But you will keep learning new techniques with it forever!
2) Overkill? Maybe – depending on how far you want to go with your art.
3) Hardware – you need at minimum a co-pro, but I would REALLY recommend a
486DX with 8 megs to get started on, with a 200 meg disk (goes fast!)
Other programs – that do these things? Are as easy to learn? I don't know
of any! Suggested retail for 3D Studio 2.01a (latest version) is $2,995.00
Get a demo of the program – that is the only way to tell.
Greg Pyros
Hello Greg,
Sorry to bud, but you suggest the 3D Studio demo tape – I haven't seen
that. Where can one find it? Can I buy one off of you?
Thanks James