Recommendations for 3D modelling SW?

[sk3pt1c]

Hello, we're thinking of starting a "thing" with a designer friend where we'd make furniture and other DIY stuff and sell it for a small profit to friends and whatnot... I'll be helping with most of the building so I'd like to have some software where I could design and model each item before we start building it.
I'd maybe need to add hinges and screws and so on and perhaps animate it just a bit to get a feel for how each item might look or work from pieces to full assembly.
Any suggestions for software that might help?
Thanks for your time

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I've used Rhinoceros just a little bit and a friend has also showed me Modo, don't know which one would be more suitable though.


NOTE: I might in the future need to export to a format that can be input in a CNC for aluminium milling, but that's not a pressing concern at this time.

 

[The Aviator]

Uh for what you're doing I would recommend a interior design software called 2020 technologies. But you may also want to look at Cinema 4D or 3ds Max which are more modern 3D modeling programs.

 

[fig]

Uh for what you're doing I would recommend a interior design software called 2020 technologies. But you may also want to look at Cinema 4D or 3ds Max which are more modern 3D modeling programs.

This doesn't seem like something that really calls for a full blown CAD/design program. And Max isn't available on the Mac.

Not sure about the CNC format, but Modo as a whole is a fantastic little app that's created by a company that truly seems to care about it's users. Really intuitive and very customizable, I'd highly recommend giving it a shot.

 

[ibennetch]

Hello, we're thinking of starting a "thing" with a designer friend where we'd make furniture and other DIY stuff and sell it for a small profit to friends and whatnot... I'll be helping with most of the building so I'd like to have some software where I could design and model each item before we start building it.
I'd maybe need to add hinges and screws and so on and perhaps animate it just a bit to get a feel for how each item might look or work from pieces to full assembly.
Any suggestions for software that might help?
Thanks for your time

----------

I've used Rhinoceros just a little bit and a friend has also showed me Modo, don't know which one would be more suitable though.


NOTE: I might in the future need to export to a format that can be input in a CNC for aluminium milling, but that's not a pressing concern at this time.

Sounds to me like a textbook example of what CAD is for, including the potential growth to include CNC.

 

[Ap0ks]

Autodesk Inventor Fusion perhaps, or is that too CAD-based for your needs?

 

[chrono1081]

Any 3D package will do what you need. Modo and Cinema 4D are generally regarded as being much more user friendly (Sadly Modo charges for a trial so you're fortunate to get to be able to try it).

Cinema 4D has a lot of different packages you can purchase for a decent price so you can buy what you need verses shelling out a large amount for a single piece of software.

 

[sk3pt1c]

I have next to no experience with CAD design, so i need as much help as possible with recommendations. That said, i am a fast learner.

So i guess the consensus is with Modo?

Do you guys think it'll be straightforward for me to do the basic stuff with it?

Thanks for the feedback btw!

 

[fig]

Any 3D package will do what you need. Modo and Cinema 4D are generally regarded as being much more user friendly (Sadly Modo charges for a trial so you're fortunate to get to be able to try it).

Cinema 4D has a lot of different packages you can purchase for a decent price so you can buy what you need verses shelling out a large amount for a single piece of software.

Except for this Modo free trial?

The idea of C4D's different pieces was cool but it's always seemed kinda confusing to me. Poking around their site now I can't really get a feel for exactly what modules come in what package.

To the OP, Modo is about as intuitive a package as you can get so I imagine you'll get up to speed with the basics pretty quickly. While you can do some engineering type stuff with it it's not a true CAD package, however, so if that's what you really feel you need you might want to look at some other options.

 

[chrono1081]

Except for this Modo free trial?

The idea of C4D's different pieces was cool but it's always seemed kinda confusing to me. Poking around their site now I can't really get a feel for exactly what modules come in what package.

To the OP, Modo is about as intuitive a package as you can get so I imagine you'll get up to speed with the basics pretty quickly. While you can do some engineering type stuff with it it's not a true CAD package, however, so if that's what you really feel you need you might want to look at some other options.

Omg when did they release a free trial??? Their production trial got cheaper by $5 too.

I know what I'm trying when I go home!!! Replicators here I come!

 

[fig]

Omg when did they release a free trial??? Their production trial got cheaper by $5 too.

I know what I'm trying when I go home!!! Replicators here I come!

I think they've generally had one, they just don't release it immediately after a new version comes out (as one did recently).

Enjoy! I need to try it out too actually.

 

[radug]

autodesk inventor fusion :

- purposely created for product design , not a generic 3d modelling package (3dsmax, cinema4d, etc)

- free !!

- Mac-based


i really recommend not going down the road with just any 3d modelling software, like 3dsmax, maya, cinema4d, as they are not best-suited for your needs. This coming from someone who's modelled, rendered and animated furniture in these packages before.

Go for something like Inventor, Inventor Fusion, Solidworks, etc. Much much better support for CNC as well.

 

[sk3pt1c]

ok, i'll go with inventor fusion for now and see how it works out, thanks guys!!!

UPDATE: got fusion, played around with it a bit, watched some tutorials too, i think it will work for now, i'll try to make something basic and see if it works for me.

 

[chrono1081]

I think they've generally had one, they just don't release it immediately after a new version comes out (as one did recently).

Enjoy! I need to try it out too actually.

After spending some time with it I have to ask one question...

...WHY am I still using Maya????

I am really enjoying the modeling workflow of Modo right now. Its a bit tricky at first (like any 3D software) but its really pretty intuitive and VERY easy to set up nice renders.

I can do things instantly in Modo with a click or two that I'd have to research or follow tutorials to do using Maya and Mental Ray.

Not to mention I LOVE the render window!

 

[twietee]

[/COLOR]I've used Rhinoceros just a little bit and a friend has also showed me Modo, don't know which one would be more suitable though.

NOTE: I might in the future need to export to a format that can be input in a CNC for aluminium milling, but that's not a pressing concern at this time.

How do you like Rhino? I did experience C4D and Maya a bit but coming from professional CAD programs I didn't like them too much starting with the comical UI. But that's years ago so that could have changed.
But I have to say that I never did animations with it.

I do work a lot with Rhino, they haven't released it for Mac until now but you can subscribe for free for their Beta Version. CNC shouldn't be a problem..I talked to my professional modelmaker two weeks ago and he just bought Rhino for his 3d-printer.

Another nice thing is the pricing which is far from C4d or Maya.

 

[sk3pt1c]

How do you like Rhino? I did experience C4D and Maya a bit but coming from professional CAD programs I didn't like them too much starting with the comical UI. But that's years ago so that could have changed.
But I have to say that I never did animations with it.

I do work a lot with Rhino, they haven't released it for Mac until now but you can subscribe for free for their Beta Version. CNC shouldn't be a problem..I talked to my professional modelmaker two weeks ago and he just bought Rhino for his 3d-printer.

Another nice thing is the pricing which is far from C4d or Maya.

Haven't used it enough to voice any kind of opinion, i am a real noob in this field but it interests me a lot, i do have the beta and maybe i will start using it after i am more comfortable with the thinking and principles behind 3D modelling. For now I'll stick with Inventor Fusion and once I'm comfortable enough with it, maybe move to Rhino.

Thanks for the input!!!

 

[Renzatic]

Sadly Modo charges for a trial so you're fortunate to get to be able to try it.

Not quite. The 30 day trial with all the videos and textures costs money, but you can get 15 day barebones demo for free. You should see the option for it someone on the trial page.

Also, I'm throwing in my vote for Modo. It's easily the most elegant, simplest to use 3D modeller of the bunch.

 

[thekev]

After spending some time with it I have to ask one question...

...WHY am I still using Maya????

I am really enjoying the modeling workflow of Modo right now. Its a bit tricky at first (like any 3D software) but its really pretty intuitive and VERY easy to set up nice renders.

I can do things instantly in Modo with a click or two that I'd have to research or follow tutorials to do using Maya and Mental Ray.

Not to mention I LOVE the render window!

Because buying too many applications gets expensive? You've listed quite a collection. Maya and max both have such fragmented uis with a lot of older archaic things left in because they're needed to work around bugs, support older workflows, or cover gaps in the functionality of newer systems that haven't yet matured. Even then some of the plugins are more tolerable than actually good out of the box. I am somewhat pleased with Adobe. They finally updated their brush functions with CS6. Their brush engine is an enormous improvement. where it was difficult to work with size linked to pressure sensitivity before and broad strokes could develop squiggles if zoomed out. I used to compensate by placing tilt sensitivity on high. Before that even testing with a protractor, my results weren't totally perfect.

Not quite. The 30 day trial with all the videos and textures costs money, but you can get 15 day barebones demo for free. You should see the option for it someone on the trial page.

Also, I'm throwing in my vote for Modo. It's easily the most elegant, simplest to use 3D modeller of the bunch.

Modo has a beautiful modeling toolset, and their UV editor seems pretty good too. What do you think of their shaders and renderer or lighting system? Since Chrono mentioned maya, Mental Ray is kind of a mess in that regard. Their basic shaders can work pretty well, but there are some things that just don't simulate as intended.

 

[fig]

After spending some time with it I have to ask one question...

...WHY am I still using Maya????

I am really enjoying the modeling workflow of Modo right now. Its a bit tricky at first (like any 3D software) but its really pretty intuitive and VERY easy to set up nice renders.

I can do things instantly in Modo with a click or two that I'd have to research or follow tutorials to do using Maya and Mental Ray.

Not to mention I LOVE the render window!

Isn't it glorious?

I went the other way, after modeling in Modo I use Maya for animation classes and...ugh. I can't even think about modeling in it and have to dig through window after window just to adjust my render settings.

I haven't yet downloaded the new version of Modo to try the animation tools but I'm planning to at least try the demo during my upcoming class break, I'm hoping to upgrade from my old version sometime in the next few months.

There's a current deal where you can get a full license if you own a license of another package for only $895, it's not cheap but for the capabilities it's pretty reasonable.

 

[chrono1081]

Isn't it glorious?

I went the other way, after modeling in Modo I use Maya for animation classes and...ugh. I can't even think about modeling in it and have to dig through window after window just to adjust my render settings.

I haven't yet downloaded the new version of Modo to try the animation tools but I'm planning to at least try the demo during my upcoming class break, I'm hoping to upgrade from my old version sometime in the next few months.

There's a current deal where you can get a full license if you own a license of another package for only $895, it's not cheap but for the capabilities it's pretty reasonable.

Bah I'm still milking my student license of Maya and I doubt my "starving artist" Houdini license would count since it was only $99 And stealing a license from work is out of the question

I may bite for Modo. After my 15 day trial runs out if I really enjoy it (which I do so far) I'll purchase the 30 day and once that runs out I'll wait a bit so I don't put a noticable dent in my savings and purchase the full thing.

 

[fig]

Bah I'm still milking my student license of Maya and I doubt my "starving artist" Houdini license would count since it was only $99 And stealing a license from work is out of the question

I may bite for Modo. After my 15 day trial runs out if I really enjoy it (which I do so far) I'll purchase the 30 day and once that runs out I'll wait a bit so I don't put a noticable dent in my savings and purchase the full thing.

Ah, I hear ya, student license of Maya here as well (though I have a license of Modo for an older version that I use).

Student license maybe? Their educational license is pretty cheap ($249 for a permanent license).

 

[chrono1081]

Ah, I hear ya, student license of Maya here as well (though I have a license of Modo for an older version that I use).

Student license maybe? Their educational license is pretty cheap ($249 for a permanent license).

I'm no longer a student :'(