Bryce, Blender, Vue, Terragen, etc. ???

Need some user opinions

Published on January 22, 2006 By Lantec In Customization Software

I'm looking to add a 3D program to my library. I need HELP!! Opinions, good or bad. Personal experiences. Learning curve....etc.

I've looked around and I'm confused as to which way to go. I see a lot of Bryce stuff I like but at their website it looks like you could spend $1000 on all the different add-ons.Blender looks comparable, but a bit less user friendly. Terrragen and Vue seem to be scenery only and much more expensive.

I don't know what add-ons are "required" or "can't live without" kind of stuff and if I need to spend that $1000. If that's the case I'll probably just purchase Photoshop.

I actually have AutoCad which does 3D but is time consuming and difficult to use.

What I'd like to be able to do is the Orbs, torus's and "space" type graphics. I don't want to do people or animals. I might eventually like to do some scenery stuff but that's secondary.

Thanks for any input/opinions you can give me.

Comments (Page 1)

on Jan 22, 2006

Try Eovia Carrara --- http://www.eovia.com/

Corky_O

on Jan 22, 2006

I use Bryce 5.5 a bit, and you do not need to purchase any add-ons to work with the program.

Hopefully, the content pack still comes with it, as this includes many materials to apply to your objects, terrains, and sky. The one thing I do not like about Bryce is that you cannot create an object without assigning a terrain and sky (even if it is gray, black, or white). This presents issues if you want to create say a semi-transparent (translucent) object to use as an icon, a part in a skin, or on a wall - due to the fact that reflections are rendered, and therefore the reflections are based on the assigned terrain and sky. You can export image, and then export an object mask, which will allow you to remove the extra content in the image and leave just the object - but you still have the reflections from the extra content of the original image. I hope they can change this limitation.

If you want to create a wall completely in Bryce, create parts for skins that use the materials created in Bryce (which are limitless) and reflections are not an issue, then you are good to go for fairly cheap. If the orbs, torus's, and space images that you intend to make will not be limited by the transparency issues raised above - it may be worth checking out.

As for the other programs, I do not use them.

I find that I use Photoshop and CorelDRAW as staples, and when I have time, I play around with Bryce. Learning how to create materials, and applying them in the correct fashion is - in my opinion - the hardest part of the learning curve for Bryce. The object creation and understanding the axis positions and origins (both global, and relevant) are fairly easy to grasp, especially for one such as yourself - who has used AutoCAD.

Adamness

on Jan 22, 2006

Bryce can make some cool things. I've used 3d Studio Max, but that is way too complex. It's more for 3d animation. If you just want to make some cool designs for wallpapers and whatnot, Bryce is pretty good, and not too difficult to use.

boss0190

on Jan 22, 2006

Bryce. Fairly inexpensive and you can do most anything your imagination will let you. There are materials and some models downloadable for free, just google and spend some time looking. Learning curve is not too bad, just spend some time playing with it and read a few tuts. PS or PSP are good for any postwork you might want to do.

Lantec

on Jan 22, 2006

Thanks BX. It looks cool, but it's a bit pricey compared to the others.

As usual Corky, your a fountain of information. I appreciate it.

Thanks Adamness I checked out 3D Studio and if I ever decide to make a movie I'll seriously consider it.

Boss, your walls are the kinda thing I want to be able to do. I've already got PSP X.

I guess I'm gonna go for the basic Bryce. Thanks for the comments.

boss0190

on Jan 22, 2006

Cool. You're all set then. If you need anything, just email me and I'll do what I can.

Majic7

on Jan 22, 2006

I just picked up Carrara 3 at Purplus for 50$. They have Carrara 4 for about 120$. They have some good deals on older version graphic programs. Some in retail boxes, some OEM, and some just a CD and registration number. Link

I figure 50 bucks is a good price for learning. It comes with Amapi 3D version 5 also. Took about 10 days for it to arrive in the mail.

Island Dog

on Jan 22, 2006

They recently released some updates for the Vue line of 3d software. Although it's more toward scenery, it can accomplish other tasks also. They have entry level software starting for less than $100. You can download demos from their site.

http://www.e-onsoftware.com/

47songs

on Jan 22, 2006

Personally, even though it dosn't allow commercial uploads, I believe the free MAYA Personal Edition is a great learning tool for 3D graphics in general.

Of course, not that I've learned anything! But it seems reasonable as a teaching 'one step at a time' formatLink

Lantec

on Jan 22, 2006

I might have to take you up on the offer Boss. Thanks. I just purchased it. At this price I'll not regret it.

That's a steal considering the price I saw for Carrara on their wesite Majik7. Never heard of Purplus before but now that I've seen it (googled it) I might spring for Corel Suite 12 too.

Thanks ID, I've been going through their list of Demos the last few days. The Power bundle may be a good deal.....that's one of the reasons I started this thread.

Big thanks Donna.....I knew Autodesk re-acquired Alias but I was not aware that Maya was an Alias product. Autodesk has about $50,000 of my money since the 80's (AutoCad R2.52 to present) so it's nice to have something free from them I can actually use. (270mb download in less than 5 minutes 590K+ average) I'm actually impressed with my internet provider tonight. (Roadrunner)

Lantec

on Jan 22, 2006

I might be in over my head. I opened up Bryce and it took me 10 minutes just to figure out how to close the program. Damn autohide menus.

Majic7

on Jan 22, 2006

I just downloaded Maya also, 24 minutes on my brand new upgrade from dial-up, 1.5 DSL. All kinds of new opportunities have opened up for me on the internet. 10 hour download on dial-up. So far Maya is working for me even though I don't have XP Pro and the other hardware requirements. Fingers crossed it will keep working. Thanks for the link.

creativedistractions2005

on Jan 22, 2006

Bryce is a great out of the box type program. You can literally install the program and get right down to it without having to delve into the manual right away. As far as add ons, DAZ (the new owners of Bryce) has a bevy of add ons, but it's the way of the beast when you are dealing with a program that has had a strong following in the "world" creation department. Terragen isn't bad, impressive at times, but as far as add ons and the like, it doesn't compare.

Granted, this is all my opinion.

Jafo

on Jan 22, 2006

You can literally install the program and get right down to it without having to delve into the manual right away.

Only danger there is with the 'gee whiz...look at that, wow' production that is a bunch of defaults that everyone has actually seen too many times before....the stuff that gives Bryce such a 'bad' name...

Horrid little proggy...

TYCUS

on Jan 22, 2006

well.., right now i´m using 3ds Max(3D Studio Max), it´s a little bit hard to know how to use it but u can find it out..

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