2 new Organic 3D Modeling programs

[TMeeks]

I've recently come across two new 3D modeling programs that are radically different yet very intuitive.

I've tried various 3D modeling applications over the years; but, all seemed too artificial and technically oriented rather than production oriented. A nephew that works for one of the large game companies told me about Mudbox 3D.

It's a remarkable program and it was easy to see that it was designed, from the ground up, by artists rather than programmers. It's worth taking a look if you have been looking for a comfortable product for virtual sculpting.

Mudbox 3D (http://www.mudbox3d.com)

They do have a trial download; but, you'll have to e-mail them to get the link.

The other 3D modeling application needs some explanation because it's in it's early beta phase and could easily be dismissed in it's current form.

Remember when computers were looking for that breakthrough application and it arrived in the form of VisiCalc? (OK. I'm Old... I DO remember :cool: ) well, I think this just may be THE defining 3D modeling application for the coming personal 3D fabrication wave. In the long run, I actually think it's going to be the equivalent of Photoshop that's used by amatuer and artist alike. The program is called CB Model Pro and it's being developed by the same company that produces Solidworks.

As I said, it's now in very early beta. If you are new to 3D modeling then it would be worth your while to download the free beta software and get involved on the beta forums. Even if you have some experience with mature 3D modeling software, you might want to take a serious look at the foundations of this product. While it currently lacks the surface modeling detail of Mudbox, it far outstrips Mudbox in getting a form up and running quickly. I'm trusting that the surface modeling will come along... given who is behind the effort.

CB Model Pro - 3D Modeling Software - Free beta (http://www.cbmodelpro.com)

I am not an artist. I began this latest search to support my daughter who IS a sculptor. Her work was my benchmark in selecting software that I would feel comfortable in investing my time in learning to help speed up her own learning curve. Neither program will completely allow her to model sculpture exactly the way she does now. But, I'm convinced that both of these programs are well worth the effort to learn given the rapid changes that are coming in 3D hardware technology and fabrication.

Here is some of her work. I shot the images.

Cheryl Meeks Scupture (http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m47/TMeeks/Cheryl%20Meeks%20Art/)

Finally, here is something that I did in CB Model Pro in less than an hour.

Sample Non-artist 3D Model in CB Model Pro (http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m47/TMeeks/CosmicBlobs/Anthead.jpg)

[SF Scheuermann]

you might check out z brush wich offer rad sculpttools.
heres a nice tutorial wich shows the power of this program.

http://www.zbrush.de/page.php?modul=Downloads&op=download&did=58

[TMeeks]

you might check out z brush wich offer rad sculpttools.
heres a nice tutorial wich shows the power of this program.

http://www.zbrush.de/page.php?modul=Downloads&op=download&did=58

Z-Brush is very nice also. In talking with some people in the video game field, it seems that many Z-Brush are quickly becoming Mudbox fans for at least some of their workflow. It's probably not an either/or situation for those making a living in the field since all these products seem to have particular strengths along with some weak areas. From what I hear, a mix and match approach sometimes works best for many people.

Thanks! :)

[Isa]

Hi~About the Mudbox...can it be used to reproduce a pre-existing natural form that may be too delicate to ship to replication place? I am interested in re-creating a driftwood piece in resin that will withstand the elements and not be as expensive or heavy as a metal cast product would be. Sorry, not a sculptor, just an artist..and yes..I know that sculptors are artists..so let's not confuse that differentiation. Appreciate your feedback and time spent on behalf of your daughter. Lucky girl! :)

[Andrew Werby]

Mudbox sounds a lot like Z-brush to me. You basically use displacement maps or 2d "brushes" to create textures on a surface. It certainly can work, but it's a 2d approach to a 3d problem. The only solution I've found that really feels like sculpting instead of painting is from Sensable Technologies; it uses an articulated arm device instead of a mouse, so you can move in 3 dimensions, and it has "haptic" force-feedback to the stylus, so you actually feel the thing you're working on as you're doing it, much like working on a piece of clay with a tool. See www.sensable.com for details. It's not as cheap as the ones you mention (systems start at $2795) but it's a lot more satisfying to use, and perfect for organic modeling.

As for the driftwood piece, you could probably scan it into a 3d modeling program and recreate it in a variety of materials using CNC milling, but that would be expensive and difficult. Molding it and casting it would be more cost-effective, but why can't you just use the wood itself? You can treat it with chemicals to make it more permanent, and paint it if you want, or even gold leaf it. If it rotted away eventually, then just substitute another one. Resin doesn't last forever either...

[TMeeks]

Hi~About the Mudbox...can it be used to reproduce a pre-existing natural form that may be too delicate to ship to replication place? I am interested in re-creating a driftwood piece in resin that will withstand the elements and not be as expensive or heavy as a metal cast product would be. Sorry, not a sculptor, just an artist..and yes..I know that sculptors are artists..so let's not confuse that differentiation. Appreciate your feedback and time spent on behalf of your daughter. Lucky girl! :)

I've been communicating with one of the forum members that has a company located in Owings Mills Maryland that can scan an object and 'print' copies. I have no idea as yet how much that would cost. But, it's certainly do-able.

www.directdimensions.com

[TMeeks]

Mudbox sounds a lot like Z-brush to me. You basically use displacement maps or 2d "brushes" to create textures on a surface. It certainly can work, but it's a 2d approach to a 3d problem. The only solution I've found that really feels like sculpting instead of painting is from Sensable Technologies; it uses an articulated arm device instead of a mouse, so you can move in 3 dimensions, and it has "haptic" force-feedback to the stylus, so you actually feel the thing you're working on as you're doing it, much like working on a piece of clay with a tool. See www.sensable.com for details. It's not as cheap as the ones you mention (systems start at $2795) but it's a lot more satisfying to use, and perfect for organic modeling.

As for the driftwood piece, you could probably scan it into a 3d modeling program and recreate it in a variety of materials using CNC milling, but that would be expensive and difficult. Molding it and casting it would be more cost-effective, but why can't you just use the wood itself? You can treat it with chemicals to make it more permanent, and paint it if you want, or even gold leaf it. If it rotted away eventually, then just substitute another one. Resin doesn't last forever either...

I wich I could afford to experiment with a $3000 piece of software. Believe me, I've been drooling over the Sensable Technologies arm. But, the cost of these Haptic devices is going to rapidly fall in the next few months. There are a few companies that have created similar technologies for the game marketplace and with that comes the critical increase in numbers that permit prices to fall. Here is a link to the latest one I came across that looks promising. NovInt 3D Controller (http://www.novint.com/)

[Andrew Werby]

[QUOTE=TMeeks]I wich I could afford to experiment with a $3000 piece of software. Believe me, I've been drooling over the Sensable Technologies arm. But, the cost of these Haptic devices is going to rapidly fall in the next few months. There are a few companies that have created similar technologies for the game marketplace and with that comes the critical increase in numbers that permit prices to fall. Here is a link to the latest one I came across that looks promising. [B][U]NovInt 3D Controller

[Well, in fairness, Sensable's system is not just a piece of software, since the hardware is included in the price. And while the Novint Falcon looks like a promising device for gamers, it's not available currently, and even when it is (they say June 2007, but delays have been known to happen, especially before sufficient quantities are produced to satisfy demand), it will only be licensed for games, not 3d modeling. If they did come up with a modeling application for it, they'd not only be looking at a much smaller market, but a big fight with Sensable. While some clever programmer might come up with a way to interface it with some existing 3d modeling program, that's a long way from an available, affordable and useful solution that sculptors will be able to use in the near-term future. Sensable's system is available now, and it actually works.

Andrew Werby
[url]www.computersculpture.com (http://www.novint.com/)

[TMeeks]

Sensable's system is available now, and it actually works.


That's definitely true. :)

If they did come up with a modeling application for it, they'd not only be looking at a much smaller market, but a big fight with Sensable. While some clever programmer might come up with a way to interface it with some existing 3d modeling program, that's a long way from an available, affordable and useful solution that sculptors will be able to use in the near-term future. Sensable's system is available now, and it actually works.

That assumes today's industrial market for 3D applications. But, 3D in the small office and consumer marketplace is inevitable in the next 5 - 10 years. This is particularly true if the big printer companies decide to introduce lower cost 3D printers. I have no idea what patents Sensible or others have; but, it may make it worth the fight to new companies looking to capitalize on a 3D mass market.

[SF Scheuermann]

hi all

well ive tried out sensable`s haptic system and i need to say it offers a lowend and a highend version of those systems.
but i have figured that the lowcost version is not the right solution if you are going to model with ist.
for very precisly results you gotta use the high end version wich cost a lot more.

i know that there are a few companys out there that will come up with a lowcostversion wich will offer pretty much the same features too.
if you are really interested in 3d modeling, you should try out autodesk maya .

this software offers all modeling tools and you should be fine with it.
greetz

[nicedays]

Please take a look at VRMesh,who provide smart modeling tools to create model from sketched curve, digital clay tools to add details, and a set of mesh editing tools to modify objects, e.g., merge, fillet, Boolean, etc.

The big difference from the other sculpting tools, such as Mudbox3D, Zbrush, and Lbrush, is that VRMesh works on the arbitrary triangle meshes. It means that you can easily construct new models by assembling parts (for example, STL scanning files) from previously existing ones.

[obseq]

Hello, Nicedays,

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Thanks.

[Harryman]

I've been using Freeform for 6 years now and it's still the only CAD software that I've encountered that enables you to create an accurate representation of the human form. I work in a CAD heavy industry and am always on the lookout for the next great package but for sculpture, Freeform is still head and shoulders above the rest. The drawback? Expensive.

Other software has it's merits to be sure, they can be great for creating idustrial designs, organic objects such as flowers for jewelry or aliens to be used in animation or gaming, but if you wanted to create a protrait, it'd be difficult to keep it from looking like a mannikin.

[TMeeks]

My interest in 3D modeling comes from working with my daughter to find a 3D modeling program that might be used for design protyping, etc. She's computer challenged and I'm art challenged. So, the combination works. :)

But, I have immensely enjoyed working in CB Model Pro and, like Walter Mitty, I like to try within the limits of my abilities. So, I'm not presenting this as great art... or even 'art' at all. But, it is a demonstration that someone has finally come up with a 3D Modeling package with a user interface that is inviting and creatively stimulating.

I have been working with CB Model Pro for under 2 months and did this in about 2 hours. What made even this level of accomplishement possible for me is that CB Model Pro, unlike Mudbox and the other 3D modeling programs I've tried, uses a two-step 'Modify then Commit' technique. I can push, pull, resize, etc. a move as long and in as many ways as I'd like to experiment and only when I see what I want do I then commit the change. In any case, here is my first attempt at creating a 3D head in CB Model Pro.

(You are free to see my other attempts at learning the process of 3D modeling (not the art) on my Photobucket gallery for images for the CB Model Pro beta and my blog's tutorials. Photobucket Gallery (http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m47/TMeeks/CB%20Model%20Pro/))

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m47/TMeeks/CB%20Model%20Pro/HeadNeck01.jpg

[TMeeks]

I've been using Freeform for 6 years now and it's still the only CAD software that I've encountered that enables you to create an accurate representation of the human form. I work in a CAD heavy industry and am always on the lookout for the next great package but for sculpture, Freeform is still head and shoulders above the rest. The drawback? Expensive.

Other software has it's merits to be sure, they can be great for creating idustrial designs, organic objects such as flowers for jewelry or aliens to be used in animation or gaming, but if you wanted to create a protrait, it'd be difficult to keep it from looking like a mannikin.

Have you looked at the Mudbox galleries? While I certainly can not achieve what I see up there, some of the samples are as lifelike as one could possibly get. I have no idea what other packages the artists might have used in their workflow to achieve the results I see; But, I do know that at least the skin texturing, etc. was done in Mudbox. Mudbox Gallery (http://www.mudbox3d.com/gallery/index.html)

[TMeeks]

The process of learning is one of incremental steps. That's especially true for those of us with little training and a lot less talent than those artists that I truly admire.

I appreciate the fact that I can use a product like CB Model Pro as an enjoyable way to challenge myself in new, never before attempted skills. I'll never come close to the beautiful work I see up here; but, I can get better and that's my ultimate goal.

I posted my first attempt at a human head as a benchmark. Here is my, as yet unfinished, second attempt. One of the people on the CB Model Pro forums is an art director from Electronic Arts and it's been helpful to see what he is able to do with it even in its early beta stage. So, he's challenged me to keep trying... :)

I do believe that this does show at least SOME incremental improvement in the proportions.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m47/TMeeks/CB%20Model%20Pro/Face02Side.jpg