3D Modeling Programs: Difference between revisions

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This is a list of programs that can be used for modeling, animation and rendering of 3D objects, characters, environments, etc.
{{wiki|3D modeling software}} is mostly used for making props and characters, but can also be used for generating textures.
* For Source Modeling, the model editor application must be able to export models in Valve's [[SMD]] format.  


* [http://alias.com/ Maya 3D] - Excellent modeling and animation package.  Considered to be one of the best among modders. Quite expensive.
=== With Half-Life: Source model exporter ===
* [http://www.autodesk.com/ 3D Studio Max] - Powerful tool for modeling and animation, one of the industry's best. Also expensive.
*'''[[kHED]]''' - a free and simple modeling program.
* [http://www.blender.org/ Blender] - Free, open source modeling, animation, rendering, post-production, interactive creation and playback library/engine/IDE.
*'''[[3DS Max]]''' - a high end suite for animation, modeling and rendering. one of the industry's best. Has a large support network and many plugins. Valve used 3DS MAX for the original [[Half-Life]] (hence the name of studiomdl.exe and .smd) there for exporters exists for all versions from 3 to 9, importers for .smd also exists for most versions as well as a .vta exporter and .vtf importer.
* [http://www.milkshape3d.com Milkshape3D] - Low cost, popular and simple to use 3D modeling program.
*'''[[Blender]]''' - a high end, free, open-source, suite for animation, modeling and rendering.
* [http://www.newtek.com Lightwave 3D] - Excellent modeling & animation tool. See [[Lightwave]] for links to HL2 exporters.  Like every other high end package, it is considered to be one of the best by its fans. :)  Expensive, but less so than others.
*'''[[Cinema 4D]]''' - a popular modeling program, especially in TV media. It is a powerful toolbox. It's exporter currently only support static prop exporting.
* [http://www.softimage.com Softimage|XSI] - Program used to make models & animations for HL2. XSI Mod Tool is available for FREE.
*'''[[Fragmotion|fragMOTION]]''' - a low end modeling and animation suite, but it has tight integration with the structure of half-life models and supports weighted vertexes. FragMOTION comes with <code>.smd</code> importer and importer as well as <code>.vtf</code> importer.
* [http://www.wings3d.com Wings3D] - Free, open source Nendo-alike natural modeling IDE.
*'''[[GMax]]''' - a discontinued free version of 3ds Max currently distributed by [http://www.turbosquid.com/ Turbo Squid]. Both, an <code>.smd</code> exporter and importer exist for GMax.
*'''[[Maya]]''' - a high end suite for animation, modeling and rendering. An advanced <code>.smd</code> and <code>.vta</code> exporter exists as well as a limited <code>.smd</code> importer.
*'''[[MilkShape 3D]] ''' - a low end, popular and simple to use 3D modeling program. Comes with <code>.smd</code> exporter and importer.
*'''[[Lightwave|LightWave 3D]]''' - an excellent mid range modeling and animation suite. Currently, a LightWave-only exporter supports static props.
*'''[[Softimage Mod Tool|Autodesk Softimage]]''' - (formerly Softimage XSI) an excellent mid to high end modeling, animation and rendering suite. Valve used Softimage for most models in Half-life:Source, the Softimage Mod Tool exporter can be used with a little modification.
*'''[[Softimage Mod Tool]]''' - (formerly XSI Mod Tool) a free version of Softimage with limited capabilities compared to the full version of Softimage. Valve developed the exporter for the Softimage Mod Tool together with the Softimage developers, and as a result the exporter has full support for importing and exporting <code>.smd</code> and exporting of <code>.vta</code>.


[[Category:External Sites]][[Category:Third Party Tools]]
=== Without Half-Life: Source model exporter ===
*'''[http://www.wings3d.com Wings 3D]''' - a free, open source [http://www.izware.com/nendo/index.htm Nendo]-like natural modeling {{wiki|IDE}}.
*'''[http://clara.io Clara.io - online 3D editor]''' - a free 3D modeling and animation package similar to 3DS Max and Maya but it runs in the web browser using WebGL.
 
[[Category:External Sites]]
[[Category:Third Party Tools]]
[[Category:Hubs]]

Latest revision as of 19:42, 27 December 2013

Wikipedia icon 3D modeling software is mostly used for making props and characters, but can also be used for generating textures.

  • For Source Modeling, the model editor application must be able to export models in Valve's SMD format.

With Half-Life: Source model exporter

  • kHED - a free and simple modeling program.
  • 3DS Max - a high end suite for animation, modeling and rendering. one of the industry's best. Has a large support network and many plugins. Valve used 3DS MAX for the original Half-Life (hence the name of studiomdl.exe and .smd) there for exporters exists for all versions from 3 to 9, importers for .smd also exists for most versions as well as a .vta exporter and .vtf importer.
  • Blender - a high end, free, open-source, suite for animation, modeling and rendering.
  • Cinema 4D - a popular modeling program, especially in TV media. It is a powerful toolbox. It's exporter currently only support static prop exporting.
  • fragMOTION - a low end modeling and animation suite, but it has tight integration with the structure of half-life models and supports weighted vertexes. FragMOTION comes with .smd importer and importer as well as .vtf importer.
  • GMax - a discontinued free version of 3ds Max currently distributed by Turbo Squid. Both, an .smd exporter and importer exist for GMax.
  • Maya - a high end suite for animation, modeling and rendering. An advanced .smd and .vta exporter exists as well as a limited .smd importer.
  • MilkShape 3D - a low end, popular and simple to use 3D modeling program. Comes with .smd exporter and importer.
  • LightWave 3D - an excellent mid range modeling and animation suite. Currently, a LightWave-only exporter supports static props.
  • Autodesk Softimage - (formerly Softimage XSI) an excellent mid to high end modeling, animation and rendering suite. Valve used Softimage for most models in Half-life:Source, the Softimage Mod Tool exporter can be used with a little modification.
  • Softimage Mod Tool - (formerly XSI Mod Tool) a free version of Softimage with limited capabilities compared to the full version of Softimage. Valve developed the exporter for the Softimage Mod Tool together with the Softimage developers, and as a result the exporter has full support for importing and exporting .smd and exporting of .vta.

Without Half-Life: Source model exporter

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