All Categories :
VRML
Appendix A
3D Software Resource Guide
-by Kelly Murdock
CONTENTS
- Workstation-based, High-End 3D-Rendering, Modeling, and Animation Packages
- PC-based, High-End PC-Rendering, Modeling, and Animation Packages
- PC-based, Middle-End PC-Rendering, Modeling, and Animation Packages
- PC-based, Low-End PC-Rendering, Modeling, and Animation Packages
- Macintosh-based PC-Rendering, Modeling, and Animation Packages
- Special Function 3D Packages
There are many, many software packages available with 3D features.
They range from high-end systems that cost $10,000 or more to
simple 3D packages that do extrusions for $49. This list isn't
complete and is by no means exhaustive, but it gives you a sampling
of what's out there.
Workstations were once the only machines that could create 3D
images. As the lower-end machines grew more powerful, workstations
kept pushing the limits of possibilities, at a cost: 3D packages
for workstations can cost $10,000 or more, depending on the configuration.
Silicon Graphics' Wavefront/Alias
http://www.alias.com
These masters have been around for some time. With their products,
including SGI's PowerAnimator ($9,995), currently in version 7.5,
you'll find a lot of power. Silicon Graphics has recently introduced
a WebAnimator package to create 3D graphics specifically for the
Web. The package runs on high-end workstations and cost tens of
thousands of dollars, but is also responsible for a majority of
the special effects you see in movies.
ElectroGIG's GIG3DGO
http://www.electrogig.com/on/info/products/gig3d/gig3dgo.html
ElectroGIG is another company that specializes in advanced modeling
and rendering solutions for workstation-class computers. Their
main product, GIG3DGO, incorporates many of the latest developments
in computer graphics, including iso-surface modeling and parametric
raytracing.
Vertigo
http://www.vertigo3d.com/
Vertigo version 9.6 enables you to model with polygons or splines,
which gives you great control and precision over your models.
Vertigo also offers many animation advantages as well, such as
the Mechanix feature, which lets you apply math to objects.
Side Effect's PRISMS
http://www.sidefx.com/prisms.html
PRISMS is based around a NURBS (NURBS stands for "non-uniform
rational b-splines") modeler that gives you great control
over your model. PRISMS also has motion capture, particles, metaballs,
inverse kinematics, and image effects.
In this category you'll find the powerhouse products of PC-based
3D graphics. These products are still expensive (in the range
of several thousand dollars), but aren't nearly as pricey as workstation-based
packages.
Microsoft's SoftImage
http://www.microsoft.com/Softimage/
Until recently, this package would have been confined to the preceding
category, but under Microsoft's influence SoftImage has shown
up on systems running Windows NT. These systems also are used
to create movie effects. SoftImage doesn't look like a Windows
program because the interface is identical to the SGI version,
but it's still extremely powerful and costs several thousand dollars.
Advanced features include its programmable Mental Ray renderer
for precise control over scene elements.
Kinetix's 3D Studio Max
http://www.ktx.com
Autodesk broke off their multimedia division under the Kinetix
banner. At around $4000, this package isn't cheap, but neither
are the effects that it makes possible. 3D Studio Max is probably
the most popular PC-based 3D package. 3D Studio is strengthened
by its ability to include third-party add-in routines, called
IPAS, that extend the product's functionality.
New Tek's Lightwave 3D
http://www.newtek.com/3d/3danim.html
A survivor of the Amiga system, it costs less than 3D Studio (around
$1495), but is still very powerful and often used in television
production. Lightwave versions are available for workstations
also. Lightwave 3D just came out with version 5, which includes
a whole slew of new and exciting features.
These products are finally getting into the price range that 3D
enthusiasts and hobbyists can afford. They range from a few hundred
dollars to around $500. They are capable of creating some incredible
images and animations. For most Web developers, these are the
tools to consider for adding 3D to Web sites.
Caligari's trueSpace
http://www.caligari.com/lvltwo/product/ts2.html
Though currently in version 2, a lower cost special edition version
is available. The trueSpace package sports an easy-to-use interface
with many advanced features; it's one of the easiest to get you
started.
Fractal Design Corporation's Ray Dream Studio
http://www.raydream.com/
Ray Dream is now part of Fractal Design Corporation. Ray Dream
is an integrated studio with models and extensions as well as
a powerful modeling package and animation capabilities. A Macintosh
version is also available. Watch for the Ray Dream site moving
over to Fractal's site in the near future. The current version
under Fractal's name is 4.1.
Hash's Animation Master
http://www.hash.com/
This package uses patches (rather than polygons, as the other
packages do) to represent models. Hash's main package, Animation
Master, is in version 4, but an earlier version is now available
for only $199, under the name Martin Hash's 3D Animation. It includes
such advanced features as inverse kinematics.
Macromedia's Extreme 3D
http://www.macromedia.com/software/extreme3d/index.html
Extreme 3D is a fairly new, but powerful, package. This product
replaces the Macromodel package with animation features. You can
anticipate that Macromedia will introduce Shockwave for Extreme
3D in the future, making it easy to publish 3D artwork and animations
on the Web.
Okino's NuGraf Rendering System
http://www.okino.com/nrs/nrs.htm
The NuGraf Rendering System has a strong array of conversion filters.
It also has one of the fastest rendering engines available in
this class. If you work with image libraries fairly often, you'll
find the batch-conversion mode invaluable.
3D Eye's TriSpectives
http://www.3deye.com/
TriSpectives 1.0 and TriSpectives Professional 1.0 are both aimed
at the CAD market. They ship with over 1,000 drag-and-drop models
and are priced at around $300 and $500, respectively.
CrystalGraphics' Topas Professional
This is a DOS-based package with features that rival 3D Studio
at a smaller price point. Topas is included in Topas Kaleidoscope,
a suite of tools for 3D professionals that includes models, textures,
and a Fractal Design Painter for $1995. CrystalGraphics doesn't
have a Web site, but they can be reached at 800-979-3535.
Byte-by-Byte's Soft F/X
http://bytebybyte.com
Soft F/X, version 2.5, can run on various Windows platforms. Academic
versions are also available. Byte by Byte also sells a Mac-based
3D package called Sculpt 3D, currently in version 4.1 for $500.
Soft F/X cost $695, but competitive upgrade pricing is available.
Imagine's Impulse
http://www.coolfun.com/
Impulse is a DOS-based product that is another leftover from the
Amiga world. Imagine is working on a Windows version, which will
ship shortly. Check their Web site for pricing and upgrade options.
Visual Software's Visual Reality
http://www.micrografx.com/visualsoftware/e1.html
Now owned by Micrografix, this package supports a number of integrated
packages, including Visual Model, Visual Font, Renderize Live,
Visual Image, and a library of models.
At the low end are simple packages that usually cost under $100.
They make some simple 3D effects available for people who want
only an occasional 3D element.
Fractal Design Corporation's AddDepth
http://www.raydream.com/all/html/shop/add.htm
AddDepth is another product by Ray Dream that will now fly under
the Fractal Design banner. It's great at extruding vector-based
figures, whether text or symbols.
Visual Software's Simply 3D
http://www.micrografx.com/visualsoftware/e2.html
Simple 3D is another low-cost, extrusion-based 3D package. You
can control lights and materials.
Asymetrix's 3DFX
http://www.3dsite.com/cgi/software/asymetrix/3dfx.htm
Marketed as drag-and-drop 3D, this product is very easy to use.
Libraries of 3D models are included.
Many 3D graphics professionals prefer to work on Macintosh computers.
Fortunately for them, there are several 3D packages to choose
from.
Electric Image
http://www.electricimg.com/
A high-end tool for the Macintosh, Electric Image is often used
to produce television effects and scenes. Although it's the most
expensive Macintosh 3D package, its power rivals some of the workstation
packages. It also sports the fastest rendering engine available.
Specular's Infini-D
http://www.specular.com/products/infini-d/infini-d.html
Specular is working to get version 3.5 out the door. This Macintosh-based
package for the mid-range enthusiast is very versatile, and has
an abundance of new features like SuperFlares, Animated Booleans,
and Shadow Catchers.
Strata's Studio Pro
http://www.strata3d.com/Main.html
Studio Pro is another strong Macintosh product. Strata recently
announced the release of version 2.0. This new version will have
many new features, like Quicktime VR support, special effects,
and a plug-in architecture.
Auto.des.sys' Form Z and RenderZone
http://www.formz.com/
Form Z is called the 3D form synthesizer. RenderZone adds advanced
rendering capabilities to the product. Both versions are also
available for Windows.
Yonowat's Amapi
http://www.yonowat.com/
Amapi is a model construction and assembly tool, capable of rapidly
modeling complex shapes. The 2.11 version is available for Mac,
Windows, UNIX workstations, and as a 3D Studio plug-in.
Some packages focus on creating just one type of model or animation,
and they can be invaluable for certain projects.
Fractal Design Corporation's Poser
http://www.fractal.com/poser/poser.html
Poser is used to create human models. It comes with several prebuilt
models that can easily be moved around to just the right shape.
Virtual Reality Laboratories' VistaPro
http://www.callamer.com/vrli/vp.html
Currently in version 4, this Windows-based product creates terrain
and scenery images. It also can use U.S. geographical data.
AnimaTek's World Builder
http://www.animatek.com/
At $1000, this isn't an inexpensive scenery generator, but the
output is worth it. This package can handle trees, plants, shrubs,
and fields of flowers.
Another strong landscape builder for the Mac, KPT Bryce is produced
by the same group that made Kai's Power Tools. The current version
is 2.0.
This product specializes in radiosity-based models and architectural
rendering of interior spaces.
