HA4 Task 5 - 3D Development Software

Examine the software tools used in the production of 3D models.

For example, 3D Studio Max, Maya, LightWave, Cinema 4D, Blender, Sketchup, ZBrush etc.

HA4 Task 5 3D Development Software

3D Studio Max

3D Studio Max is a professional 3D computer graphics program for making 3D animations, models, games and images. It has modelling capabilities, flexible plugin architecture and can be used on the Microsoft Windows platform. It is frequently used by video game developers, many TV commercial studios and architectural visualization studios. It is also used for movie effects and movie pre-visualization And it is also a modelling and animation tools, the latest version of 3ds Max also features shaders such as ambient occlusion and subsurface scattering, dynamic simulation, particle systems, radiosity, normal map creation and rendering, global illumination, a customizable user interface, and its own scripting language.


Maya


Maya is a 3D computer graphics software that runs on Windows, mac OS and Linux, It was originally developed by Alias Systems Corporation and now currently owned and developed by Autodesk, Inc. It is used to create interactive 3D applications.

Light Wave

Light wave is a 3D program that is developed by newtek and it has been used in film, television, motion graphics, digital matte painting, visual effects, video games development, product design, architectural visualizations, virtual production, music videos, pre-visualizations and advertising. Light Wave is a software package used for rendering 3D images, both animated and static. It includes a fast rendering engine that supports such advanced features as realistic reflection and refraction, radiosity, caustics, and 999 free cross-platform render nodes. The 3D modelling component supports both polygon modelling and subdivision surfaces. 

Blender 

Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed models, interactive 3D applications and video games. Blender's features include 3D modelling; the two primary modes of work are Object Mode and Edit Mode, which are toggled with the Tab key. Object mode is used to manipulate individual objects as a unit, while Edit mode is used to manipulate the actual object data.

Cinema 4D 

Cinema 4D is a 3D modeling, animation and rendering application developed by MAXON computer GmbH of Friedrichsdorf, Germany. It is capable of procedural and polygonal/subd modeling, animating, lighting, texturing, rendering, and common features found in 3D modelling applications.

ZBrush 

ZBrush is a digital sculpting tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing and painting. It uses a proprietary pixel technology which stores lighting, colour, material, and depth information for all objects on the screen. The main difference between ZBrush and more traditional modeling packages is that it is more akin to sculpting.

Sketchup

Sketch Up is a 3D modelling program for applications such as architectural, interior design, civil and mechanical engineering, film, and video game design.

File Formats

Each 3D application allows the user to save their work, both objects and scenes, in a proprietary file format and export in open formats.

A file format is a standard way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file. It specifies how bits are used to encode information in a digital storage medium. File formats may be either proprietary or free and may be either unpublished or open.