What (cheap/free) 3D software is a good place to start?

[railbard]

Like the subject line says:

What free or very cheap 3D software is a good place to start for a total noob who wants to learn how to make his own repaints and/or scenery assets? Or other stuff for RW?

I see Blender discussed. What else is there? What pros and cons for different products?

Remember the "cheap/free" thing, I'm currently only employed part time and don't have much money.

Thanks!

[jpetersjr]

I would advise 3D Crafter Pro and Google Sketchup. Preferably 3D Crafter Pro. The price is $70 but it's worth the money.

Blender might be free, but it's also very difficult to learn and not even I could figure it out.

Perhaps for now, you could always start out by repainting RW buildings.

[Hawk]

Maybe this thread over at the other place will help a little.

http://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread ... t=3dcanvas

[railbard]

Gasp! Go to the...the..... FORUMS at The Site That Must Not Be Named?!?!?!

Are you MAD?!?!

Well, ok, since it's you making the recommend.

[railbard]

Thanks Hawk, that was VERY helpful.

[Hawk]

I thought there was a discussion about the different modeling programs here at RWA, but I couldn't find it.

Help is help, wherever it comes from.

[PapaXpress]

You don't realty need sketchup. Several of us use 3DC exclusivly. I even redid all my SU models in 3DC in a third of the time it took initially. yes there is a learning curve but short and steep, and then your done.

[Chacal]

Personally I have no problem with Blender, but yes it is a little less intuitive than some other programs.

[Trainguy76]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj85KdDb4zE

I made this a while back, a quick review of starting in Blender and putting it in TS2012.

[mikeadams2k]

An igs/ia exporter for Blender 2.63 is now available. 2.63 has a number of improvements over 2.49. (imho) It's available here.

http://members.uktrainsim.com//filelib- ... leid=29522

Mike Adams