Lightwave
- 1. What is LightWave3D? Light wave 3D is a software program that allows uses to make static or animated 3D images. It includes a very fast rendering engine that allows images to look to their best. The company has spent years creating their own custom pipeline which previously set them back but now it is so advanced that for companies with <40 employees… it is said to be a struggle so this software is for the dedicated and major studios. Although it offers free professional software. It has gained major support with big industries such as unity game engine. LightWave will provide you with the tools you need and you can choose the pipeline that best fits you! LightWave has been around for 20 years meaning it has been modeling a decade before many newer 3D programs nowadays. $995 Skyfall- The james bond film, made in 2012 included work made by LightWave, and believe it or not, the DB5 iconic bond car was modeled using their software! the TV series the walking dead also used Lightwave 3D and still does in its episode mainly for special effects. finally, the first game Fallout some of the scenery was created using Lightwave 3D.
- 2. Blender Blender was designed to be available to all and not just useable for professionals. Advantages that come with blender are photorealistic rendering, fast modeling, realistic materials, fast rigging, animation toolset and many more. These features combine create really effective software that people can learn to use for temselves. this is also shwn as it is not aiming to make loads of money out of it as it is free! Despite it being free, it is actually very high standard of software and allows people to access the graphics pipeline making it more accessible for newer users but also more convenient for frequent users. blender also has a community feel to it and consists of people who enjoy to 3D model and want to do it in their free time. this is achieved by their community based projects that volunteers can join in on. examples where it has been used can be seen below - NASA models which are shown to the public. the film Friday or another day (French) used all blender for special effects. Plumiferos was a commercial created entirely on blender.
- 3. Cinema 4D this is a 3D modelling, animation and rendering application developed by MAXON Computer GmbH in Germany. the software is for the experienced but with knowledge some of the best creations can be made, having said that, the Cinema 4Ds tool bar make it easy to created advanced animations and with built in physics, much like Maya, you can make animations very realistic. however sometimes producing a master piece comes with its price... and in this case its rendering, luckily network rendering allows you to shorten rendering time by splitting it up to different users. Cinema 4D has been used in many major expansions, the last of us was trialed on it and the film Prometheus's set was made using this software. The animated film Surfs up used Cinema 4D for some of the models. and also in many video game characters were created using this software.
- 4. Sketch up this is also another example of a 3D modeling program which is aimed at architecture, interior design, civil, mechanical engineering, films and games so t covers a wide array of uses. This is based at those who know little about 3D modeling and this is shown as there is a library of different models that have been installed already meaning they have the base frame and more to work from! although it is free this Is not the full version, he full version will actually set you back £500 which is relatively good for what it provides. The pros over at naughty dog worked hard as they used this software to create some of the uncharted 2 game for the PlayStation. because this is a slightly non-high tech software not many major developers use it.
- 5. 3D studio max This is a 3D model designing software created by Autodesk. this is a Professional software that takes modeling to the next level with the creations made. 3D animations, games, images and models are all made on here and to a great level of detail as well. For example, Assassins creed and Alice in wonderland used this software. they want to increase the skill of 3D modeling because of course lots is being found beneficial from it, and so this software is free and people can publish work to them or just pratice their skills. Click to add text Click to add text examlpes of where it has been used : 2012, Black Hawk Bown are all examples of houses. for real life design - "all the images for the K52 project were created on Autodesk 3ds Max"
- 6. Maya it is a 3D modeling and animation program. what particularly stands out about Maya is its inclusion of physics such as water and gravity. Its also very good at creating natural effects to give a scene a more realistic feel for example smoke or fog. it also can be able to portray a animations emotion by facial expressions or body language. examples of use - Tata are a gaming industry that used Maya to enhance their environment on Arjun: the Warrior Prince. PK is a film that also used Maya to create the alien PK and so it was designed to very high levels of detail. it is also used to design, construct and explain future wind energy storage systems!
- 7. ZBrush Last but not least, ZBrush is a digital sculpting tool that combines 3D and 2.5D modelling, texturing and painting. on screen it creates the illusion but using technology and software that takes in account to lighting, color, material and depth. Kaloyan Rusinov created a character created using ZBrush and is based on many different anime characters. in Avatar, ZBrush played a major role in the special effects part and proved to be very effective. Next gen consoles such as PS4 have used ZBrush to improve games to the next level, for example the same game was re done and given a much better and more realistic look and this was the Last of Us. it was also used to make drake from uncharted's face/ mesh