Good, easy-to-use Mac app for 3D models?

[joepancake]

I'm searching for a good, easy-to-use Mac program for creating 3D models such as like those iPhone mockups every designer loves to do. But as i'm doing it more hobby-wise, i wouldn't like to pay more than MAXIMAL $50 for it. Beside 3D models, it should of course include basic features like text, zoom etc.

Again, things i'd like to create are for example a iPhone mockup, but also how i imagine the next Nintendo handheld and home console to be. I'm also dreaming of Apple-designed headphones and speakers, which i'd like to bring in paper as well.

I have experience with Pixelmator so far, but i can only do 2D models with this program, which is quite limited.

It'd be great if i'd get some recommendations here

 

[fig]

Your best bet, at least for getting started, is probably something like SketchUp. There's also Wings3D and Blender but Blender has a bit of a steep learning curve and is probably a lot more than you need, at least starting out.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Verto Studio 3D is pretty good. I have the mobile version of it.

Here's the demo: http://vertostudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=126

full price is $19.99 on the Mac App Store.

There's not really any documentation on it, because if you know how to use something like Maya/Blender/Modo/etc, these other apps are pretty easy to get into.

 

[juanm]

Blender is free and very powerful.

 

[762999]

+1 for Blender but if you wanted a native OSX app, Cheetah 3d is exclusive to the Mac.

http://www.cheetah3d.com/

it's 99$ but it may get on sale from time to time.. there is a free trial.

 

[bakechad]

Easy to use and 3D modeling don't really go together. It takes a lot of time and dedication to produce quality work.

I vote for Blender too. It has a crazy learning curve, but it is free/open source and there are a ton of examples and training materials available for free. So you can focus in on some training on the areas you would like to accomplish and work backwards rather than learning the software from the ground up. Nothing like some hands on tutorial work to learn a complex piece of software.

 

[fig]

My issue with Blender's learning curve is that it doesn't tend to work like other software does, I've got experience in a variety of packages and I was lost trying to get around in Blender.

A simple polygonal modeler will have a much shorter learning curve and have a hobbyist creating work pretty quickly. It will also give you some knowledge that can easily be applied to pretty much any other package should you choose to move to something more complicated later on.

 

[bakechad]

My issue with Blender's learning curve is that it doesn't tend to work like other software does, I've got experience in a variety of packages and I was lost trying to get around in Blender.

A simple polygonal modeler will have a much shorter learning curve and have a hobbyist creating work pretty quickly. It will also give you some knowledge that can easily be applied to pretty much any other package should you choose to move to something more complicated later on.

Agreed.

The big upsides of Blender is that it is free and for a hobbyist who hasn't used any other software and may never be able to purchase 3D modeling software, blender makes sense.

For someone who thinks they are going to jump around between software or try to make a professional career where you will work somewhere where they dictate the software, then Blender isn't a great choice.

 

[smetvid]

While Blender is a complex program there are a couple of things that may make it easy to learn.

1. Huge community of people willing to share methods and help you. A lot of commercial 3D artists hold their secrets pretty tight.

2. All the free tutorial content you could ever want or need. Commercial apps tend to have great tutorials that cost money. Sure there are free ones as well but some of the really good tutorials are paid for.

3. Because Blender is free there are a lot of users out there. This makes finding help online sometimes rather easy. Especially if you need to find free help.

4. Blender has some really good paid books and video tutorials that are not insanely expensive like some commercial software books or video tutorial series.


The major benefit to learning a program like Blender is once you do learn it you are really only limited by your imagination and rendering speed.

I myself am a 3DS Max user but I also love Blender and what it can do. I use 3DS Max professionally at work and definitely enjoy using it more than Blender but that is largely due to habit and comfort since I have used 3DS Max for over 15 years.

 

[fig]

While Blender is a complex program there are a couple of things that may make it easy to learn.

1. Huge community of people willing to share methods and help you. A lot of commercial 3D artists hold their secrets pretty tight.

I've rarely if ever found that to be the case. There are active communities of very helpful people for lots of different packages that I've used.

As per Blender, it has lots of capabilities and from what I've heard a great community. That doesn't change the fact, however, that an inexperienced 3d artist (which I'm guessing the OP is) could be creating something within 10 minutes of picking up SketchUp or Wings3D. They could always look at something like Blender if they have a need for a more complete package later on.