3D advice

Vel · Tue 16/03/2004 16:17:01

Hey there.
What I want to do is just a 3D cutscene for my game. It is supposed to be an hourglass with moving camera angles - nothing too complicated.

However, I don't have the slightest idea what software to use. It has to ave the following features:

1. Simplicity of use. I havent done anything in 3D before, so I guess it'd be best to start with something simple.
2. Rather small file size/around 20MB or so/
3. Ability to change camera angles and save as a mpg or avi.

Thanks for your suggestions in advance.

Minimi · Tue 16/03/2004 16:28:28

Corel Bryce 5, you get get is for about $75 from amazon!
Bryce is really good, and i.m.o. easiest to learn.

Though if you don't want to pay anything for it, use Blender!

ps : why not asking someone else with more expierence, and the software, to make it for you?

Vel · Tue 16/03/2004 16:34:01

Would anyone, minimi?
Could you give that link to blender, please?

Timosity · Tue 16/03/2004 16:40:24

I think this is it

http://www.blender3d.com/

Vel · Tue 16/03/2004 17:08:18

Thanks timosity.

Dude, thats harder than Organical chemistry!

Ishmael · Tue 16/03/2004 18:48:56

Truespace might do it... not sure though..

MrColossal · Tue 16/03/2004 19:04:28

try blender... it's more like other 3d environments than truespace is and learning blender would be a good stepping stone

Pessi · Tue 16/03/2004 19:21:34

I don't know, after trying Maya, 3D Studio MAX and Truespace I honestly couldn't figure Blender out. I think I could make a primitive object and zoom in and out with the camera and that's it. And I tried for quite some time. I'm probably just slow at learning but I already knew how to use 3dsmax to some extent, so that would support the claim that the interface isn't quite the same. I really wasn't able to make any sense of it.

My vote goes to Truespace. Mostly because of its ease of use, despite the fact that the interface isn't quite as standard as 3dsmax's or Maya's. But then again, in my opinion, Blender's interface isn't that standard either.

http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=12033;start=msg144442#msg144442

That's just my opinion.

shbaz · Tue 16/03/2004 19:38:58

Blender is difficult at first, then progressively easier as you memorize key commands and figure out the interface. If you follow a tutorial, it shouldn't be too hard. It's linked in my sig, along with elYsiun (the blender forums). In the forums if you go to each one and look at the sticky topics you will find tutorials, and you can't beat free. You're not going to find any cheap 3d software worth having besides Blender and Wings3D.

On the other hand, an hourglass isn't that hard, and I could probably do that if I learned how to use the animation side of Blender (I haven't ever animated with it).

Isegrim · Tue 16/03/2004 19:54:14

If you describe exactly what you want, I could do an anim for you in Cinema4d (if I find some spare time, that is;))

Edit: Just in case he finds Blender too unusuable...

MrColossal · Tue 16/03/2004 19:59:47

I was also going to offer help but I think he wants to do it on his own

shbaz · Tue 16/03/2004 20:03:57

Quote from: MrColossal on Tue 16/03/2004 19:59:47
I was also going to offer help but I think he wants to do it on his own

Oh. Whoops.

It wasn't that difficult so I made one just now.

Pessi · Tue 16/03/2004 20:52:33

Nice, Shbazjinkens! Just one question - how many polygons? Can't tell for sure because of the resolution but do you have multiple segments on the supporting four cylinders?

Just curious, really.

shbaz · Tue 16/03/2004 22:31:37

Quote from: Pessi on Tue 16/03/2004 20:52:33
Nice, Shbazjinkens! Just one question - how many polygons? Can't tell for sure because of the resolution but do you have multiple segments on the supporting four cylinders?

Just curious, really.

Here it is without smoothing and no subsurf

1072 faces. I made a big circle and four smaller circles which I then melded to the larger circle, and then deleted half of each one to make the base. I extruded that piece up to the top of the base each time making it a bit smaller for the steps. After that I extruded again to the point where the glass starts, where I smoothed the vertices until they formed a circle. That circle was extruded up to form the bottom part of the glass, and then I pulled up the arms through extrusion as well. At that point I duplicated it, flipped the z coords, and welded the copy to the top to form the whole piece. All in around 10 minutes (so if you're familiar with Blender, it isn't so hard).

After this, the next steps would be to texture it with a good reflective wood, texture the glass with a translucent mesh, and fill it with particles (for sand) and then animate the particles falling through the glass to the bottom. Blender has a nice internal raytracer now that is fairly quick, so once the whole image was satisfactory it could end up looking quite nice. Learning to make the hourglass would be nothing, the difficult part comes next with texturing, lighting, and animating.

If you want to do it yourself, I'd still be happy to help you learn. It'd be a learning experience for both of us, since I haven't ever animated, but I think my familiarity with the interface may get you along quicker learning that.

Vel · Wed 17/03/2004 09:45:47

Wow shbaz!
That looks awesome! After giving Bryce a try, I was about to give up and make it in 2d, but then I saw this! Could you like, animate this and add sand? If not, I'd be happy if you just sent me the model.

Minimi · Wed 17/03/2004 09:49:54

Quote from: Vel on Wed 17/03/2004 09:45:47
Wow shbaz!
That looks awesome! After giving Bryce a try, I was about to give up and make it in 2d, but then I saw this! Could you like, animate this and add sand? If not, I'd be happy if you just sent me the model.

Didn't you understand Bryce?? :s Try the tutorial I've written...
http://minimi.spijbelaars.com/solidus/tutor0101.html

Vel · Wed 17/03/2004 11:27:34

I did understand the basics, but I couldnt make a hemielipse.

jetxl · Wed 17/03/2004 12:04:24

do it the easy way.
http://user.tninet.se/~hbh828t/proglego.htm

lego... IN 3D!! THREE FU<beep>NG DEE!!!!

Vel · Wed 17/03/2004 12:11:31

!!!

shbaz · Wed 17/03/2004 20:57:36

Behold the power of Open Source 3D modelling/raytracing software

I just textured it.. fwoo.. that one took about an hour to texture right and get the raytracing time down to a reasonable level.

Ok, so what are you looking for here? How long does the video need to be and how much of the sand is supposed to be on top/bottom when the video starts/ends? Is it all supposed to fall through in this time?

Also, I don't know what kind of graphics your game has and the resolution/quality of the video can be adjusted to match. ... I just looked at your site, and if this is for Indiana Jones then it will probably fit in great, but for the Curse of the Mushmuroc Castle I should probably re-texture with more fitting graphics.

Sounds? Is this for an ominous "you only have this much time left" scene or is it more a leisure thing..