(last update date: September 16, 2007)
What software and tools do the workstations have?
(Note that students and educators can purchase some of the software listed here at http://www.academicsuperstore.com.)
List of 3D Animation software
trueSpace ver. 7.51 (Caligari Corporation) [Windows only]
If you are new to 3D software and modeling, we recommend that you start here. We have a collection of tutorials on trueSpace which will get you started and take you through the more complex areas of 3D. Models created in trueSpace can be exported to other programs. We will be upgrading to version 7.5 and adding V-Ray for the Lab computers. You will also find that trueSpace is an excellent tool for all your modeling. Excellent galleries to show you the exiting range of projects you can do in trueSpace can be found at http://www.caligari.com/Gallery/ImagesGallery/default.asp?SubCate=Images and at http://www.caligari.com/Gallery/animations/default.asp?SubCate=Animations. A trial version of trueSpace 7.5 is available from http://www.caligrai.com.
Vue Infinite ver. 6 (e-on Software) {Windows, Mac OSX]
Vue Infinite has featurest that make it especially easy to handle natural scenery (trees, waterways, clouds, plants, mountains). You can design models in other programs and bring them into Vue Infinite to create easily very convincing scenes with vegetation. Tools for animation and rendering, few general modeling tools. A Personal Learning Edition of Vue 6 is available at http://www.e-onsoftware.com/try/vue_6_ple/ without cost.
Poser ver. 7 (eFrontier) [Windows, Mac OSX]
Poser can handle a vareity of tasks, but excels with figure design and creation. Easy to work with the human form or with animals. Poser provides simple steps for animating walking, talking (synchronizing mouth motion with words being spoken), and has good rendering capabilities. Poser models are easily loaded into Vue Infinite.
Maya ver. 8.5 (Autodesk) [Mac OSX only]
Maya can be used for modeling, animation and rendering. It has a number of features that make it useful for 2D art, such as particle brushes. A Personal Learning Editon based on Maya 8.5 is available for free at http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=7639525.
3D Studio Max ver. 9 (Autodesk) (includes Combustion and Cleaner) [Windows only]
Extremely popular product for animation and CAD. This is the product of choice in architecture. Web free tutorials abound.
Carrara ver. 5 Pro (Eovia) [Windows, Mac OSX]
Carrara allows you to easily create scenery (mountains, trees, atmospheres) as well as do modeling and animation. The product provides a large number of objects to get started with right away with modeling, rendering and animation. You can find some useful information about Carrara at http://www.bitwisemag.com/copy/reviews/software/graphics/carrara/carrara5.html.
Anime Studio ver. 5 (eFrontier) [Windows only]
Anime Studio can be used to create movies, cartoons or cut out animations. See the manufacturer's product page at http://www.e-frontier.com/go/animestudio_hpl for more information. You can also download your own 30-day trial copy for use on your own system at the manufacturer's web site.
Manga Studio ver. 3 (eFrontier) [Mac OSX only]
For 2D Manga style animations and renderings. Useful for designing comics and comic strips.
Google Sketchup Pro ver. 6 (Google) [Windows only]
From the Google Sketchup web site: http://sketchup.google.com/product_sup.html
"With Google SketchUp Pro 6’s LayOut (beta) feature, you can integrate 3D models with 2D elements like photographs, artwork, text, title blocks – even handwritten notes – to create compelling interactive presentations. LayOut (beta) also enables you to output large-format, high-resolution documents. In a single program, Google SketchUp Pro 6 combines high-quality 2D design tools with the ability to manipulate dimensionally accurate 3D models with CAD-like precision and scale.
"Google SketchUp Pro 6 lets you create 3D models from photographs, match existing models to background photos, render sketchy effects and fog and mark your models with 3D text, logos and watermarks. With the new styles palette, you have easy access to a collection of display settings, which you can save and share. You also have greater control, with new features like enhanced modifier keys that let you perform operations like “copy” while you move, rotate or push/pull. If you use Google Earth, Google SketchUp allows you to place your models using real-world coordinates and share them with the world using the 3D Warehouse."
DAZ Studio ver. 1.5 (DAZ Productions) [Windows]
DAZ Studio is available for free. You can download your own personal copy at http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/software/studio/-/? if you would like to load it on your own system. Use for figure creation and animation. Many Poser models will work in DAZ Studio. Version 1 was released in 2005. Some view DAZ Studio as a free alternative to working in Poser.
Houdini Master and Apprentice Editions (SideFX) [Windows only]
Professional-grade software used in the film industry. See the collection of Houdini tutorials in the 3D Animation Lab.
Virtual Fashion Designer Pro ver. 1.5 (Reyes Infografica) [Windows only]
Design clothing for Poser figures. Works well when used in conjunction with Poser.
Autodesk CAD programs
These applications are used extensive in CAD modeling and find their way into many engineering and architectural desing projects. The formats can easiy be used from one application to the other.
AutoCAD 2007 (Autodesk) [Windows only]
Autodesk VIZ (Autodesk) [Windows only]
Autodesk Map 3D 2007 (Autodesk) [Windows only]
Autodesk Civil 3D 2007 (Autodesk) [Windows only]
List of Tools available
Project Dog Waffle [Windows only]
An excellent program for all-around art work and drawing. You can draw 2D animations. The particle brushes are what make this product unique and worth getting to know.
Artweaver [Windows only]
A freeware program that has many functions found in Adobe Photoshop. Can save in Adobe .psd file format. Works well with Project Dog Waffle.
Adobe Photoshop CS2 [Windows only]
The standard for image editing. Be sure to look at Artweaver as well. This is a free product which mimics many of the features of Photoshop.
Deep Exploration ver. 5 {Windows only]
From Right Hemisphere. This is the company whose tools power Adobe Acrobat 3D. Deep Exploration has many useful functions. One is simply to be able to browse computer models with a single tool. Many object formats are supported (over 100 different formats). Two other major functions are available from Deep Exploration. Object conversion lets you convert from one model format to the next. There are many options to chose from. You can also change the materials in a particular model using this tool.
P3DO Explorer Pro [Windows only]
An excellent object and picture file browser that handles formats not covered by Deep Exploration.
Ulead Video Studio [Windows only]
A basic tool for editing your videos. Add sound tracks to your video files. Many formats are supported, including DVD, AVI, WMV and MOV. You can add titles and transitions easily. Some animation tools in the 3D Animation Lab do not allow for adding sound tracks. This tool does that easily. If you have an AVI with a sound track, you can easily split the sound track off and edit it further. Learning this tool will prepare you for the other tools which are in the DMS media studio area outside the 3D Animation Lab.
