How are objects (like trees and houses) created?

[jbest]

I've just been wondering, and it's been ticking me off. How are objects like trees, houses, and ground cover made for TG2? In Blender? In Lightwave? In ZBrush? I don't have any idea how. I'm especially wondering about the trees. I know it's a dumb question but it isn't a dumb question for someone who doesn't know the answer, I guess.

Thanks,
Jahnu

[Henry Blewer]

Marc Gebhart has made many trees and other things for Terragen 2.
http://web.me.com/marcgebhart1/Trees/Welcome.html

Terragen.org has many good objects.
http://www.terragen.org/index.php

And the XFrog free sampler.
http://www.planetside.co.uk/content/view/21/36/

[jbest]

Thanks njeneb, but how were they made?

[Kadri]

You can make them with any decent 3d modeler software or specific 3D Tree makers.

http://forums.planetside.co.uk/index.php?topic=9480.0

http://forums.planetside.co.uk/index.php?topic=8677.0

Maybe there are other tutorials for making trees ; a search would help . Try with "3D Tree tutorial" or something like that , Jahnu .
I found these with the above search in Google. You can find many others. Try in Youtube too.

http://www.webdesign.org/3d-graphics/tutorials/tree-tutorial.611.html
http://www.3dluvr.com/content/article/90

[jbest]

Thanks Kadri.

Doesn't Lightwave cost like over 500 dollars to use?

[Kadri]

Thanks Kadri.

Doesn't Lightwave cost like over 500 dollars to use?

http://shop.newtek.com/lightwave3d.aspx

There could be educational versions and such who are cheaper and not only Lightwave of course .
But you can use Blender , Anim8or  or Truespace (it isn't developed anymore but you can use it) like programs who are free .
Maybe others who are more into Tree making can give you specific instructions which one is better , or easier .
These things tend to be get more subjective and flame war kind of reactions on other forums sometimes
The guys here are more objective (mostly  )

[jbest]

I see. Cool. What about stuff like houses and spaceships?

[Kadri]

In a 3D software they are all made of polygons etc. They are not different (so to say).
You can use the same software for anything you want. It is up to you.
Some of them are more basic or more centered around specific needs-models.

http://sites.google.com/site/makehumandocs/download

This is a free 3D software for making 3D Humans for example .
And here on the forum are guys who use Xfrog for making cows...
Xfrog is a tree-plant making software actually.

It would be good that you read-search about the basics of 3D first. In time you will understand everything.

[reck]

I see. Cool. What about stuff like houses and spaceships?

Take a look at Blender, it's powerful and free. If you have the patience and willpower to take time to learn it you'll probably find it does everything you want.

[Jack]

stay away from lightwave its had its days if you want a nice easy to use modeler try silo
or a new kid n the block bonzai3d (like google sketchup but much much better ie nurbs)
or even moi3d
I use max mainly for modeling its a bitch to get started with but hey terragen is too^^

[Kadri]

stay away from lightwave its had its days if you want a nice easy to use modeler try silo
or a new kid n the block bonzai3d (like google sketchup but much much better ie nurbs)
or even moi3d
I use max mainly for modeling its a bitch to get started with but hey terragen is too^^

"These things tend to be get more subjective and flame war kind of reactions on other forums sometimes Smiley
The guys here are more objective (mostly  )"    

I like Lightwave and hate Max    Autodesk and Devil are mentioned in the same sentence many times this days.
They have the majority of the top 3D packages. This is not so good for the users ! So i would use the underdogs ...
But if you want to work in the 3D industry that is another thing.

[airflamesred]

http://www.andrewklein.net/
Have a look at this guys tuts, He teaches maya but the principles apply to most poly modelers. Before you spend any money take a look at the other free ones, namely wings or metasequoia. They all pretty much have the same tools so my advice would be to find an interface that suits you. There's plenty of modelling tuts on youtube.

[Zairyn Arsyn]

i've been a lightwave 3d user since i first started doing 3d.
in school i had a choice between Lightwave or Max

i dont really like autodesk either, though i did have learn max....
i still prefer LW

[jbest]

Take a look at Blender, it's powerful and free. If you have the patience and willpower to take time to learn it you'll probably find it does everything you want.

Yes, I've definitely wondered about Blender. It seems like a very complicated program, but i've seen what can be done with it and it is pretty darn cool. Just about Blender, though, how do you create OBJ's from it?

[airflamesred]

It loads with a cube - what more do you need