3D modeling

[SpaceshipFood]

I have been trying to 3D model (make engines an stuff) but Blender is giving me a heart attack. Anybody know some other good (free) 3D modeling programs?

[Brabbit1987]

Sadly I only know how to use Blender XD. I do remember using XSI once, but think it is no longer made or something. Zbrush is also a pretty neat program, but I can't say it's easier to use nor do I think it's free.

[rodion_herrera]

Tried GMAX? To those comfy with the 3D Studio MAX user interface, GMAX seems a likely solution...and yes, it's free http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax

[Fiddlestyx]

Blender gets easier as you learn all the shortcut keys.

[Qumefox]

Blender does have a very steep learning curve, yes. But it's worth learning how to use.. My advice.. put your part project on hold, then go through tutorials on blender.org to learn the UI, basic processes for modeling, etc before attempting to make your part.. You'll find that once you actually know how to use blender, making your part will be easy

I liken it to this.. If you want to drive across the country.. you're going have to learn to drive first.. 'learning along the way' isn't going to end well.

It's the same with blender.. if you take the time to learn what it does, what it can do, and what parts of it you can ignore outright, it's not really that complicated. It just looks that way to the uninitiated because all the functionality makes it really intimidating.

[Brabbit1987]

Blender does have a very steep learning curve, yes. But it's worth learning how to use.. My advice.. put your part project on hold, then go through tutorials on blender.org to learn the UI, basic processes for modeling, etc before attempting to make your part.. You'll find that once you actually know how to use blender, making your part will be easy

I liken it to this.. If you want to drive across the country.. you're going have to learn to drive first.. 'learning along the way' isn't going to end well.

It's the same with blender.. if you take the time to learn what it does, what it can do, and what parts of it you can ignore outright, it's not really that complicated. It just looks that way to the uninitiated because all the functionality makes it really intimidating.

I agree with this. When I first started learning how to use Blender I was not even sure if I could. After looking through a few tutorials on it's functions and such. I began to realize it isn't nearly as hard as it looks at first.

The very first thing I modeled in it was a McLaren F1 race car XD. If you all want I can post a picture I took of it during construction. Sadly only have 1 picture and lost the file a long time ago.

[Brenok]

I agree with this. When I first started learning how to use Blender I was not even sure if I could. After looking through a few tutorials on it's functions and such. I began to realize it isn't nearly as hard as it looks at first.

The very first thing I modeled in it was a McLaren F1 race car XD. If you all want I can post a picture I took of it during construction. Sadly only have 1 picture and lost the file a long time ago.

o_o ... the first thing I modeled was probably a cube... or maybe a simple wine glass or something.

[Brabbit1987]

I just feel sad I never got to entirely finish it. Though I didn't decide to restart it as it was just to see if I could, wasn't meant for a game or anything like that.

Edit: Should also mention it was the second model I ever done. The first was an LCD screen model which I made following a tutorial in 3D studio max I think.

Edited May 28, 2013 by Brabbit1987

[MR4Y]

I thinkered with modeling for a considerable time before jumping off the bandwagon...a couple of years ago. In that era where Autodesk didn't owned pretty much every 3D modeling program under the sun.

[skygunner58203]

If it helps, I use a combination of Google Sketchup, Wings3D, and Gimp for all my modeling needs.

[Promii]

Sadly I only know how to use Blender XD. I do remember using XSI once, but think it is no longer made or something. Zbrush is also a pretty neat program, but I can't say it's easier to use nor do I think it's free.

Softimage XSI is just called Softimage now, since Autodesk acquired them. It's also never been free. It's in the same class as Maya and 3DS Max.

[EndlessWaves]

If you want the whole range of KSP's supported technologies for free then it has to be blender I'm afraid, the appalling interface is just something you have to put up with.

Other than that Wings3d is worth looking at. It doesn't support animations and it's modelling method does mean certain kinds of details are difficult (cut out text for example) but it produces models perfectly suitible for import into Unity/KSP and has a nice interface (even if some of the more recent changes haven't improved it).

Sketchup on it's own produces models in entirely the wrong format, but I believe some people have had some luck with the PlayUp plugin. Either way, unless you're already familiar with it then I would stick to more appropriate programs.

[tarkus54]

You seem to know what you're doing ... could you help me? I just got blender to try. I was going to see if I could revamp some parts that nobody seems to own anymore. How does one bring an '.mu' or '.mbm' into it? How is an import done?

[EndlessWaves]

How is an import done?

It isn't.

The mbm and mu are custom KSP formats and while we know all the details of them nobody has written a converter yet. Mbm is actually simple enough as it's just a bitmap with a small custom header so there are a couple of suggested ways to open it here but Mu has a lot more unity/KSP specific data in it.