What software, or hardware, do you use and why?

[malachite]

hi,
I very much like Groboto because I have fun making new things and it is easy to use and fast at updating the screen. Inkscape http://inkscape.org/ is a good free open source 2d svg vector drawing application and with the upcoming IE 9 svg will be viewable in all uptodate browsers. For 3d rendering E-on's vue http://www.e-onsoftware.com/ is good but buggy and pricey for the hobby market. I've just started to explore free open source Blender http://www.blender.org/ but expect to do much more time with the new still beta version because there is sculpting. If you want to see some quirky, some interactive, look at free open source Processing. The user gallery site has neat things (requires java to be enabled in the browser). http://www.openprocessing.org/

Of course there is the Photoshop Elements, can't afford full Photoshop.
Anyone using Python to create graphics? http://python.org/ It is an open source computer language.

What software do you use and why? What are you using for 3d renders?

[hiperia3d]

Hi,

I use Sculptris for organic modeling, Groboto 3 beta and DAZ Hexagon. I am researching into combining the three for modeling my future projects.

For textures I use Genetica and Filter Forge, texture generators. I do all UV mapping with Hexagon.

I don't use Python but there's a Python API for 3D called Eden: http://www.funtrench.com/eden.html

[GroBoto]

OK, I'll post the obvious, then get out of the way.

I use GroBoto with:
Zbrush
Photoshop

I jump-start nearly everything I do with GroBoto -- but of course, I live inside GroBoto, so no surprise. But seriously, the Synergistic interplay between GroBoto and those two apps is particularly strong.

I don't do much Rendering (in the currently popular sense of the word --implying photoreal -- actually I have a lot to say about that but it belongs in the Art - Creativity - Exploration Forum).

I'd like to spend some time with Modo & Vue, but I have none to spend at the moment.

Best Wishes,
Darrel

[bjbsquared]

I would like to know if Blender or Silo has a good workflow with Groboto as I am not going to shell out the $700-$1000 for a hobby piece of software.

Are there any other one's to consider that don't cost a mint?

[Wanizame]

You might want to look into Hexagon then, its only $150.

I have Groboto v2 (it looked fun), and Paintshop X2 Ultimate (because I cant afford PhotoShop atm), I also use Ulead Photo Express occasionally for its text effects. And sometimes I use the filters in Ultimate FX for abstract wallpapers. I also have Poser 8, but I've only dabbled in it so far.

[bjbsquared]

You might want to look into Hexagon then, its only $150.....

Hexagon looks good for the price. I will keep it in mind.

Silo is no longer supported by Nevercenter so I am reluctant to buy that.

[Volker Harun]

I mainly use Terragen2 - and am sometimes in need for objects.
So I try (!) using sculptris and Groboto .... ,-)
Blender is an app that I use for cleaning up mesh and do a clean export ,)

[hiperia3d]

Hexagon looks good for the price. I will keep it in mind.

Silo is no longer supported by Nevercenter so I am reluctant to buy that.

If you use a Mac, Hexagon uses to crash lot of times. In that case maybe Silo is better.

I use a Windows Xp machine, and I'm very used to detect and know why a software fails (by intuition and some knowledge) so I usually just avoid the situation that provokes it.

Hexagon has lots of tools, and although it's very buggy it is my modeler, and I use it for everything.

[Burnart]

I seem to have acquired a lot of software over the years - I get the cover disk free version and then upgrade on the basis of that or buy something I was curious about when it was on special. Once things hit about US$100 I tend to think of it as very expensive and hard to justify on a hobby budget. Here are the things I actually use.

When it comes to simple box modelling - I tend to like Wings3D - its free and it does what it does very nicely. www.wings3d.com

I have Hexagon 2.x which I picked up on a crazy Daz special for about the price of a new release DVD but honestly I find the win version 2.5 so buggy I just don't use it whereas the free Hexagon 1 from a cover disc which I got later works real nice and does what I need.

Carrara is another thing I got from Daz on special via a cover disc offer. Its a nice all round package for modelling, animation, rendering, simulation - albeit limited but for the hobbieist it offers a lot of variety. Hexagon and Carrara are both available at www.daz3d.com of course.

At one stage I picked up 3dcoat 2 on special and then did an upgrade to 3. It is a similar program to ZBrush. I got it originally to use with my Wacom tablet for texturing objects but its become more a complete modelling package. There are so many aspects of this program I haven't investigated yet. It use to be significantly cheaper than zBrush don't know if it still is. www.3dcoat.com

I have aquired a couple of versions of Vue over the years. I think its a brilliant program in lots of ways but what has always prevented me from becoming addicted to it is that it is so slow to render. Ssssooooo ssslllooooowww...... If you have your own little render farm it could be worthwhile I suppose. www.e-onsoftware.com They have a special going at the moment Vue 8 Complete (ie basic Vue plus all the modules) US$299 which is half the normal price. It's almost enticing but I doubt the speed has improved noticeably - anyone know?

I also like messing with fractals. There is a free one called ChaosPro4 ( www.chaospro.de ) and a commercial one Visions of Chaos (VOC) which are worth looking at if you are into that kind of thing. VOC is actually more than just fractals and is quite fun to play with. http://softology.com.au/voc.htm

This post is long enough already so a quick conclusion - I sometimes use Genetica free version and Mapzone for texture generation and Paint Shop Pro plus an old version of Painter for graphic manipulation stuff.

[hiperia3d]

Another cool app is Apophysis 3D Hack.