What is your primary 3D modelling app?

[CaptainKipard]

As the current steward of the Mod Dev Links Compilation I'd like to know what the most and least popular programs are in order to better cater to modders in what content I add to the thread.

• If you use more then one then leave a post saying what they are and what you use the others for?
  
• If you use any specialised 3D apps for purposes other than mesh creation (like mesh re-topology or UV unwrapping) please also mention it.
  

Also

• If you use any plugins for your particular programs please let me know.
  

Thanks

Edited May 17, 2015 by Cpt. Kipard

[Robotengineer]

I use Blender, though I have used Sketchup in the past.

[sumghai]

I use Blender for making the actual KSP models (mesh creation, UV unwrapping, AP baking), but I also prototype things in SolidWorks 2008.

[CaptainKipard]

SolidWorks

You're the right person to ask this. Are you aware of any free or open source programs for solid modelling and physics simulations of mechanisms?

[sumghai]

You're the right person to ask this. Are you aware of any free or open source programs for solid modelling and physics simulations of mechanisms?

Not sure about free software for parametric solid modelling equivalent to (the commercial) SolidWorks, but at one point I did dabble in Linkage for simulating mechanisms:

http://blog.rectorsquid.com/linkage-mechanism-designer-and-simulator/

[CaptainKipard]

This morning the thread is already at the very bottom of page 1. What's the likelyhood of sticking this? Alternatively I'll have to bump it from time to time.

[cxg2827]

I've been modeling all of my projects in Solidworks, and exporting the STL to Blender for final editing, UV unwraping, and AO baking. I just draw N-sided polygons and constrain the vertices or edges to construction lines whenever I am modeling a feature that is cylindrical or curved. Works ok and usually isn't too time intensive.

If Blender had a parametric plugin I would have given it a shot.

Are you aware of any free or open source programs for solid modelling and physics simulations of mechanisms?

I haven't used any other programs, but if you search for parametric CAD software that can make assemblies, you can usually use the assembly to apply constraints, and then modulate the parts through their designed motion via dragging with the mouse or running a motion simulation if the feature exists.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_computer-aided_design_editors

I havent tried this one, but have heard good things:

http://solvespace.com/index.pl

[CaptainKipard]

If Blender had a parametric plugin I would have given it a shot.

I didn't know about parametric modelling but I've had a quick look and Sverchok looks pretty cool. It uses the blender compositing interface for designing the object and its parameters and tool shelf sliders for changing the parameters that you implement.

[CaptainKipard]

If you use any plugins for your particular programs please let me know. I only use Blender so I've only added those so far.

It looks like 3DS Max, Maya, Sketchup, and Wings 3D are used by a significant minority of you. Free plugins for these in particular would be nice.

[Beale]

If you use any plugins for your particular programs please let me know. I only use Blender so I've only added those so far.

It looks like 3DS Max, Maya, Sketchup, and Wings 3D are used by a significant minority of you. Free plugins for these in particular would be nice.

Wings3D in particular, there is an alternative distribution called Wings3D MLAB, which bundles several useful plugins such as boolean operations and other gadgets.

Could be helpful to some, I'll try and dig up a link.

Also, who rated this 1 star? That's really bizarre.

Edited May 17, 2015 by Beale

[CaptainKipard]

Also, who rated this 1 star? That's really bizarre.

Can mods find out?

[Beale]

Can mods find out?

I hope so, it is a really strange recent trend I have noticed on a few threads.

On another note, as promised: Manifold Plugin for Wings3D (Boolean Operations, Procedural Shape Generation, deformations etc. etc.)

Ignore the 1995 style website.

[MartGonzo]

There's a bit of a gap in the poll, Mudbox and Z-Brush are excellent modelling tools, they just don't have the rendering and lighting complexity of stuff like 3ds max

I use an old copy of Mudbox and 3ds Max, I'm lucky in that I have a family member who gets these things for his work so when he gets the latest version he gives me his old ones.

I use a lot of free plugins and scripts for 3ds max from this site:

http://www.maxplugins.de/

[Beale]

There's a bit of a gap in the poll, Mudbox and Z-Brush are excellent modelling tools, they just don't have the rendering and lighting complexity of stuff like 3ds max

I use an old copy of Mudbox and 3ds Max, I'm lucky in that I have a family member who gets these things for his work so when he gets the latest version he gives me his old ones.

I use a lot of free plugins and scripts for 3ds max from this site:

http://www.maxplugins.de/

I might (almost certainly) be uninformed, but aren't MudBox and Z-Brush both more geared towards digital sculpting and artwork (I.E. Way too high poly results / messy geometry to be practical for KSP).

Edited May 17, 2015 by Beale

[Starwhip]

I use Blender3D.

[CaptainKipard]

I use a lot of free plugins and scripts for 3ds max from this site:

http://www.maxplugins.de/

K. Well. I'm not going to go through them, so just say what you use and for what.

[Superfluous J]

Also, who rated this 1 star? That's really bizarre.

Can mods find out?

I assume they can and also assume they won't tell. I'd be very mad if my supposed anonymous feedback was revealed without my permission.

Don't sweat ratings. I only notice them when someone brings them up. I suspect they have no affect on anything other than making someone feel edgy for downrating a thread.

I have no interest in this thread as I'm not a modeler (I've tried Blender and it made me want to curl up in the corner and cry), however I'll 5-star the thread to offset the 1-star rating it got

[CaptainKipard]

I assume they can and also assume they won't tell. I'd be very mad if my supposed anonymous feedback was revealed without my permission.

Don't sweat ratings. I only notice them when someone brings them up. I suspect they have no affect on anything other than making someone feel edgy for downrating a thread.

I was thinking more along the lines of punitive action. 1-staring a thread that's not even a mod is obviously not meant to be feedback. It's just a troll move.

I might (almost certainly) be uninformed, but aren't MudBox and Z-Brush both more geared towards digital sculpting and artwork (I.E. Way too high poly results / messy geometry to be practical for KSP).

I'm aware of both, and left them out for this reason.

[lo-fi]

I make use of http://max.klanky.com/plugins.htm quite a bit. Not really for low poly models directly, but it's great for proceduraly generating details for textures when rendered out to 2D on a flat plane.

[Camacha]

You're the right person to ask this. Are you aware of any free or open source programs for solid modelling and physics simulations of mechanisms?

You might want to try OnShape. Personally I strongly dislike it is cloud based, but it is free (though beta) and should provide most of the functionality and should improve over time. As I understand it is the guys that originally started Solidworks. It has the promise of causing quite a stir in CAD land, but we will have to see what happens.

It looks to be a fairly sturdy and well rounded free option. I find most free alternatives are well intended, but lack quite a bit.

Edited May 17, 2015 by Camacha

[CaptainKipard]

I make use of http://max.klanky.com/plugins.htm quite a bit. Not really for low poly models directly, but it's great for proceduraly generating details for textures when rendered out to 2D on a flat plane.

Thanks

You might want to try OnShape. Personally I strongly dislike it is cloud based, but it is free (though beta) and should provide most of the functionality and should improve over time. As I understand it is the guys that originally started Solidworks. It has the promise of causing quite a stir in CAD land, but we will have to see what happens.

It looks to be a fairly sturdy and well rounded free option. I find most free alternatives are well intended, but lack quite a bit.

I'm not really sure what to do with this. I'll consider adding it.

What do free alternatives lack in general or in particular?

[MartGonzo]

I might (almost certainly) be uninformed, but aren't MudBox and Z-Brush both more geared towards digital sculpting and artwork (I.E. Way too high poly results / messy geometry to be practical for KSP).

yes, I didn't realise you were just interested in relation to KSP, they aren't much use for simple meshes like rocket parts

K. Well. I'm not going to go through them, so just say what you use and for what.

That's probably a fairly long list, I'd have to have a look through my plugins folder.

I don't do anything commercial so it's just stuff that grabs my attention, procedural textures, shortcut scripts, interesting mesh tools

a couple I remember as being handy are the blurbeta texture pack (that's just the name, nothing to do with blurring), it's about 20 or so different procedural textures

GW Ivy is a great plugin, quick and easy to use (not much use for anything KSP related though)

Greeble is an interesting plugin for making spacey type detailing, protrusions, space panels etc.

Edited May 17, 2015 by MartGonzo

[lo-fi]

The other thing I make use of from time to time is the script mentioned in this excellent tutorial: http://www.neilblevins.com/cg_education/vertex_map_wear/vertex_map_wear.htm

I know the thread isn't about tutorials, but the script on its own without any frame of reference is a little meaningless. It can be tough to get the settings just right, but for quickly producing edge-wear on small detail pieces it can be really useful.

[CaptainKipard]

(not much use for anything KSP related though)

Only pertinent plugins please.

The other thing I make use of from time to time is the script mentioned in this excellent tutorial: http://www.neilblevins.com/cg_education/vertex_map_wear/vertex_map_wear.htm

I know the thread isn't about tutorials, but the script on its own without any frame of reference is a little meaningless. It can be tough to get the settings just right, but for quickly producing edge-wear on small detail pieces it can be really useful.

This is a nice addition. You can actually do something similar to that script with Blender's compositing interface.

[RedParadize]

I might (almost certainly) be uninformed, but aren't MudBox and Z-Brush both more geared towards digital sculpting and artwork (I.E. Way too high poly results / messy geometry to be practical for KSP).

Yes. Their main use is art, design, lookdev, normal/displacement map generation.

But its mostly for organic stuff. Not suited for rockets