3D software for sculptors

[The Forge]

I am in the process of evaluating a software named MOI 3D. It was conceived by the designer of Rhino and seems to be really easy to use. I have been unsuccessful in trying Google Sketchup 7, because it leans too much on a construction basis and not enough on an artist's conceptions. The MOI has many tutorials on line and allows the user to pause the tutorial while you try what is being taught. I was able to do much more with it in the time I had today, than I ever did with Sketchup. When you tell it to do something, it asks you questions about the desired results and then steps you through the process. I am sure that once you get familiar with the program's thought process, you could just proceed on your own. If not, it is there to help you. Its price is $190.00, not too high for this type of program, or you can get many types of educational discounts. :cool:

[The Forge]

A quick update on the MOI 3D. I found that it was extremely easy to learn to use. I would not use it to create my abstract sculptures; but, I am planning to create three similar pieces for a Art Sale in November. I have found that it is easy to just move an element, view it and move it again. For this application, it will be very helpful. I would recommend it as a great 'tool'.:cool:

[StevenW]

Yes, Moi is a very fine Nurbs program and may be thought of as a stripped down version of Rhino, but it's important to note that Nurbs programs and Polygon/ sub-D programs have different qualities and are generally designed for different purposes. Nurbs is used more in architectural and product development, rapid prototyping of mechanical parts because it is geared for modeling things with a high degree of linear precision and polygon modeling or sub-D is generally preferred for organic structures such as human forms because it makes use of subdivision surfaces more commonly known as "smoothing". I just upgraded to Modo-401 as my primary 3D app and one of the things I like about it is the ability to translate Rhino and Sketchup (nurbs) files to poly's and back. Also, most 3D printing that I am aware of is done via .stl files, which are nurbs based. As far as I know this limits what kinds of things can be "printed" and to what degree of precision, along with various other considerations such as medium and whatnot.. Most 3D printers will have no trouble at all printing wax for a mold and cast type of thing, but printing directly in something like marble is another animal altogether.. Although I am against it being called sculpting, (I prefer modeling, which is a part of sculpting) I still find the technology very exciting. Virtually all of today's modern sneakers were developed in one 3d app or another and I am thankful they made my hiking in Moab last weekend less work and more joy. :)

[The Forge]

Wow, amazing understanding of those programs. From your description, I can see that I chose the correct to program to 'model' in. It does exactly what I need to do, in this case. I thoroughly agree with your definitions of 'modeling' and 'sculpting'. Thanks for making that distinction. :)

[StevenW]

(From the FREE section)

I always keep my eyes out for deals so;

Hexagon 2.2 is on the CD attached to the July 09 issue (#118) of 3D World magazine. This is the issue with Pixar's UP on the cover.

This issue just went on sale here in the US, and can be found at Barnes & Noble. The cost of the magazine is around 15 bucks.. I caution only that you don't upgrade to 2.5 as it was less stable for me..

This is a great modeler on PC, but still has some issues on some Mac platforms. I can think of one tool in particular that no other modeler in any other program has and that is fast extrusion, which combined with target welding makes this modeler very fast and fluid in the right hands. Can't beat it for the price..

[Andrew Werby]

I just upgraded to Modo-401 as my primary 3D app and one of the things I like about it is the ability to translate Rhino and Sketchup (nurbs) files to poly's and back. Also, most 3D printing that I am aware of is done via .stl files, which are nurbs based.

[Are you sure that Modo can make NURBS files from polygon meshes? While it's easy to make meshes from NURBS, the only programs that go the other way that I've seen have been a lot more expensive. If Modo really does this, it would be a good deal for that function alone. STL files, by the way, are representations of polygon meshes, not NURBS. The most common non-proprietary NURBS format is IGES.]

As far as I know this limits what kinds of things can be "printed" and to what degree of precision, along with various other considerations such as medium and whatnot.. Most 3D printers will have no trouble at all printing wax for a mold and cast type of thing, but printing directly in something like marble is another animal altogether..

[As long as you have enough polygons to define your surface smoothly, without faceting, the parts are only limited by the build volume of the printer and the file size your computer can handle. Only a few additive 3d printers build objects in wax, mostly for the jewelry industry. Most use plastics of one sort or another, although these can often be molded and cast in wax. Subtractive machines (CNC mills and routers) can cut wax easily, but the additive 3d printers are pretty specific in the materials they use. I don't know of any additive machines that can "print" in marble, but there are CNC machines that can carve it - check out the Digital Stone Project if you're interested in that.]


Although I am against it being called sculpting, (I prefer modeling, which is a part of sculpting) I still find the technology very exciting. Virtually all of today's modern sneakers were developed in one 3d app or another and I am thankful they made my hiking in Moab last weekend less work and more joy. :)

[Yes, the big athletic shoe manufacturers have been enthusiastic early adopters of 3d modeling technology. Several of the larger ones use Freeform, from Sensable Technologies, which is my favorite 3d design application, because it lets me work in a 3d environment with a true 3d tool that gets me in tactile contact with the model as I work on it, something that really makes it a lot more like sculpting with real tools.]

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

[StevenW]

Andrew thanks for the reply, I can tell you know your software and i'd like to see some of your models sometime. The Rhino translator for Modo at least imports, but I don't know if it saves back out.. I can ask my pal JBShorty if you're interested, he'd know as he uses both in his workflow.. I checked out the digital stone project too and it looks interesting.. I can't seem to get over this nagging feeling that even if I made a perfect model of Venus herself down to the veins, pores and eyelashes like Uma Thurman in Baron Von Munchhausen that it would translate itself over to stone as missing something. Maybe it's not the kind of perfection I seek, but I'd still like to try it someday and find out.

[Harryman]

There's quite a range of CAD software out there suitable for sculpture, like all software, some are better at some things than others.

MOI is great for the money and although it doesn't have all the features Rhino does, or the wide range of plugins available, it does handle some things better than Rhino.

For organic pieces, I'd look at Claytools/Freeform as Andrew suggested, (I'm also a user) Zbrush, Mudbox and 3DCoat. CB Model Pro is free and fun to play with but it's kind of limited in what you can import/export.


Also, most 3D printing that I am aware of is done via .stl files, which are nurbs based.

Just a clarification, while all 3D printers are happy working with .stl files, they are not exclusively nurbs based, it's a universal mesh format which many CAD Softs can export as, whether they work natively in nurbs, solids, meshes etc.