5. 3D Development Software

There are many software tools used in the production of 3D models including 3D studio max, maya, lightwave, cinema 4D, blender, sketchip, ZBrush etc. While these programs do similar things, they do not nessesarily specialise in the same areas, and sometimes are used in conjunction.

Quotes from the websites give some insight into the fuction of each tool:

'Autodesk® 3ds Max® software provides a comprehensive 3D modelling, animation, rendering and compositing solution for games, film and motion graphics artists. 3ds Max 2014 has new tools for crowd generation, particle animation and perspective matching, as well as support for Microsoft® DirectX 11® shaders.'

'Autodesk® Maya® 3D animation software offers a comprehensive creative feature set for 3D computer animation, modelling, simulation, rendering and compositing on a highly extensible production platform. Maya now has next-generation display technology, accelerated modelling workflows and new tools for handling complex data.'

'NewTek LightWave 11 made its debut in early 2012, bringing new functionality to an already robust 3D modeling, animation and rendering program. Many new features in LightWave 11 that are widely used by artists include built-in instancing, Bullet hard body dynamics, and Flocking along with new workflow options such as GoZ support for Pixologic’s ZBrush software and the Unity game engine development platform.'


http://www.photoshopcreative.co.uk/users/4039/thm1024/livingroom_design_var1_pt_net.jpg

'Renowned for its ease of use, speed and professional results, CINEMA 4D Prime is an ideal choice for all graphic designers looking to add 3D to their toolset. CINEMA 4D Prime's intuitive interface is designed to ease you in to the powerful and exciting world of 3D graphics. With CINEMA 4D Prime you can start creating great-looking 3D images in no time. And the tutorials provided help you learn CINEMA 4D quickly and easily. Adding CINEMA 4D Prime to your existing pipeline of 2D applications opens up a wealth of new design possibilities. For example: turn 2D artwork into 3D elements using import options such as Illustrator or EPS, or simply combine images or movies with 3D objects. CINEMA 4D Prime's powerful tools let you create images and animations for any industry. 3D logo, illustrations, buildings, space ships - whatever you want to create - you can rely on CINEMA 4D Prime. CINEMA 4D Prime lets you cost-effectively enter the world of 3D. And if you want more advanced tools, it’s great to know that you can upgrade to any of the more powerful versions of CINEMA 4D.'

http://www.maxon.net/uploads/pics/screen_prime_22.jpg

'The Interface allows you to change, adapt and re distribute the layout of all UI components and tools to suit the task at hand. With a great variety of tools available, Sculpting can be used to create very detailed organic looking characters. Coupled with modifiers like multi-res, the models can be very complex while the interface remains responsive. Transforming any model into a posable character has never been easier, with highly sophisticated methods of deformation calculation that allow realistic mesh displacement. Hard surfaces and Subdivision surface modeling benefit from tools that range from community provided complex primitives to stackable modifiers. Thanks to flawless integration, tasks as simple as walk cycles or as complex as lip syncing can be undertaken with more emphasis on the results and the fine tunning. True and tested, the robust default render engine is an industrial strength image generator. Using any of the multiple available tools to project meshes, it is straightforward to manage texture space for a given geometry. Create stunning visuals using a render engine that treats light in a more natural way, with the Cycles Render Engine. Unleash the power of your graphic card with Blender providing full support to GPU rendering.'

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'Hundreds of thousands of professionals in (take a deep breath) architecture, construction, engineering, commercial interiors, light construction, landscape architecture, kitchen & bath design, urban planning, game design, film & stage, woodworking, and plenty of other fields use SketchUp Pro all the time, every day. It’s the all-purpose antidote to complicated, expensive CAD software.

SketchUp Pro is like a pencil with superpowers. Start by drawing lines and shapes. Push and pull surfaces to turn them into 3D forms. Stretch, copy, rotate and paint to make anything you like. More advanced? Start modeling from CAD and terrain data, photographs or even hand sketches. Build models with custom behaviors and attributes. SketchUp Pro is as simple and as powerful as you want it to be.'

http://www.lunarstudio.com/rendering-gallery/image-illustrations/sketchup-modeling-services/house-proposed-sketchup.jpg

'ZBrush is a digital sculpting and painting program that has revolutionized the 3D industry with its powerful features and intuitive workflows. Built within an elegant interface, ZBrush offers the world’s most advanced tools for today’s digital artists. With an arsenal of features that have been developed with usability in mind, ZBrush creates a user experience that feels incredibly natural while simultaneously inspiring the artist within. With the ability to sculpt up to a billion polygons, ZBrush allows you to create limited only by your imagination. Designed around a principle of circularity, the menus in ZBrush work together in a non-linear and mode-free method. This facilitates the interaction of 3D models, 2D images and 2.5D Pixols in new and unique ways.'

http://www.zbrushkorea.com/zbrush/features/overview/img/main.jpg

There are both proprietary formats, such as AutoCAD - .dxf, 3D Studio Max - .3ds, Maya - .mb, LightWave - .lwo, and open formats such as .obj and .dae.