HA4 Task 5 - 3D Development Software

Examine the software tools used in the production of 3D models.

For example, 3D Studio Max, Maya, LightWave, Cinema 4D, Blender, Sketchup, ZBrush etc.

Remember that you are trying to comprehensively explain the theory and applications of 3D with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly.

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3D Studio Max

3D Studio Max, now Autodesk 3ds Max, is a 3D computer graphics program for making 3D animations, models, and images. It was developed and produced by Autodesk Media and Entertainment. It has modeling capabilities, a flexible plugin architecture and can be used on the Microsoft Windows platform. It is frequently used by video game developers, many TV commercial studios and architectural visualization studios. It is also used for movie effects and movie pre-visualization.

In addition to its modeling and animation tools, the latest version of 3ds Max also features shaders, like ambient occlusion and subsurface scattering, as well as dynamic simulation, particle systems, radiosity, normal map creation and rendering, global illumination, a customizable user interface, and its own scripting language.

image from http://www.gratisprogramas.org/descargar/autodesk-3ds-max-2013-espanol-df/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_Studio_Max
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Maya 

Autodesk Maya, usually shortened to Maya, is a 3D animation software offers a comprehensive creative feature set for 3D computer animation, modeling, simulation, rendering, and compositing on a highly extensible production platform. Maya now has next-generation display technology, accelerated modeling workflows, and new tools for handling complex data.

image from http://www.cgchannel.com/2010/03/autodesk-announces-new-features-for-max-and-maya-2011/

http://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-maya/overview 
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LightWave

LightWave is a software package used for rendering 3D images, both animated and static. It includes a rendering engine that supports such advanced features as realistic reflection and refraction, radiosity, and caustics. The 3D modeling component supports both polygon modeling and subdivision surfaces. The animation component has features such as reverse and forward kinematics for character animation, particle systems and dynamics. Programmers can expand LightWave's capabilities using an included SDK which offers LScript scripting, a proprietary scripting language, and common C language interfaces.

image from http://www.dahloakland.com/?attachment_id=678

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightwave 
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Blender

Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed models, interactive 3D applications and video games. 

Blender's features include 3D modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging and skinning, fluid and smoke simulation, particle simulation, soft body simulation, sculpting, animating, match moving, camera tracking, rendering, video editing and compositing. It also features a built-in game engine.

image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blender_268a_Welcome_Screen.png

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blender_3D 
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Cinema 4D

Cinema 4D is a 3D modeling, animation and rendering application capable of procedural and polygonal/subd modeling, animating, lighting, texturing, rendering, and common features found in 3D modelling applications.

There are four variants currently available from MAXON: a core Cinema 4D 'Prime' application, a 'Broadcast' version with additional motion-graphics features, 'Visualize' which adds functions for architectural design and 'Studio', which includes all modules. Cinema 4D runs on Windows and Macintosh PC's.

image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:C4dwindow.png

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_4D
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ZBrush

ZBrush is a digital sculpting tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing and painting. It uses a proprietary "pixol" technology which stores lighting, colour, material, and depth information for all objects on the screen. The main difference between ZBrush and more traditional modeling packages is that it is more akin to sculpting.

ZBrush is used as a digital sculpting tool to create high-resolution models, up to ten million polygons, for use in movies, games, and animations. It is used by companies ranging from ILM to Electronic Arts. ZBrush uses dynamic levels of resolution to allow sculptors to make global or local changes to their models. ZBrush is most known for being able to sculpt medium to high frequency details that were traditionally painted in bump maps. The resulting mesh details can then be exported as normal maps to be used on a low poly version of that same model or as a displacement map, although in that case the lower poly version generally requires more resolution. Once completed, the 3D model can be projected to the background, becoming a 2.5D image, upon which further effects can be applied. Work can then begin on another 3D model which can be used in the same scene. This feature lets users work with extremely complicated scenes without heavy processor overhead.

image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zb4_screen.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZBrush 
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Sketchup

Sketchup is a 3D modeling program for applications such as architectural, interior design, civil and mechanical engineering, film, and video game design.

The program claims to be easy to use. There is an online repository of free-of-charge model assemblies, windows, doors, automobiles, etc., to which users can contribute their own models. The program includes drawing layout functionality, allows surface rendering in variable "styles", supports third-party "plug-in" programs hosted on a site called Extension Warehouse to provide other capabilities like near photo-realistic rendering, and enables users to place models within Google Earth. 

image from http://male1230.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/google-sketchup-2011.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SketchUp