Anyone do 3D modelling?

Post Reply New Topic

Looking for some advice on 3D modelling. There's something I want to build digitally but I don't really have any experience except I learned to use the Quake level editor back in the 90s!

I suppose I'm asking if anyone can suggest what the best software to learn is, as a beginner.

I know a few railway modellers become experts at 3D design and printing. I don't personally do 3D printing as I go down the traditional route of scratchbuilding, but I suggest asking some of the guys on model railway sites, and also other similar hobbies.

What 3D modelling specifically? Parametric, sculpting?
In both cases I can't really think of "easy" software, all I ever tried had a steep learning curve.

Thanks. A bit of both, probably. I'm looking to model a historic building, ultimately. I've started learning Blender, that seems to be the thing. I'm not scared of steep learning curves. It's more likely my interest will shift to something else before I get very far!

Yeah, I'd definitely recommend Blender. Admittedly, I gave up with it in favour of 2D art. However, I've dabbled with the software and I think Blender is a good resource. It's free and there's plenty of tutorials on YouTube.

Blender Guru is a good YouTube channel for tutorials. The infamous Donut Tutorial is often joked to be a rite of passage for digital 3D modellers.

Just remember to save often! Unexpected crashes are the worst if you haven't saved.

^thanks! Good to know I'm on the right track. I have indeed found the donut tutorial although the patriot in me wants to lose the hole and have some jam oozing out.

I learned on 3DS MAX before it became max (3DS4 to be exact) and autoCAD.
When i tried to switch to Blender and Maya I found them rather unintuitive and cumbersome.
Even the change to MAX was bewildering. Bring back the lofting studio!

Are you trying to rig for IK animation?

I know nothing about digital modeling, but have been using CAD since 1990. Some I like more than others, and my first, CATIA, was never a favourite, and I much preferred the KeyCad 3D wire frame that came next (plenty good enough for someone with my spacial awareness). Of the parametrics, I found SolidWorks the best, and easiest to master.

That said, it doesn't really matter much with professional systems, as most have pretty much converged, so it's become like driving a car; having mastered one, you can be productive almost straight away with any other.

I don't really know what that means!

I'm not looking to animate anything, just model it.

Ultimately what I want to do is build a digital recreation of a real building.

Then I want to be able to 'walk through' that space. If I understand correctly, I'll need to export any models I create into something else, like a game engine, to be able to do that.

But all that is a long way down the road. I can't even model a donut yet.

CAD companies often provide free "home" versions, or else with short term licenses for those who ask. They all come with a tutorial, and a week or so is usally enough to become adept. Even if it's not exactly what you are looking for, it would be good practice.