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3D computer graphics software

 
Wikipedia: 3D computer graphics software
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3D computer graphics
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Basics
3D modeling / 3D scanning
3D rendering / 3D printing
3D computer graphics software
Primary Uses
3D models / Computer-aided design
Graphic design / Video games
Visual effects / Visualization
Virtual engineering / Virtual reality
Related concepts
CGI / Animation / 3D display
Wireframe model / Texture mapping
Computer animation / Motion capture
Skeletal animation / Crowd simulation
Global illumination / Volume rendering
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3D computer graphics software refers to programs used to create 3D computer-generated imagery. This article only covers some of the software used.

Contents

Uses

3D modelers are used in a wide variety of industries. The medical industry uses them to create detailed models of organs. The movie industry uses them to create and manipulate characters and objects for animated and real-life motion pictures. The video game industry uses them to create assets for video games. The science sector uses them to create highly detailed models of chemical compounds. The architecture industry uses them to create models of proposed buildings and landscapes. The engineering community uses them to design new devices, vehicles and structures as well as a host of other uses. There are typically many stages in the "pipeline" that studios and manufacturers use to create 3D objects for film, games, and production of hard goods and structures.

Features

Many 3D modelers are general-purpose and can be used to produce models of various real-world entities, from plants to automobiles to people. Some are specially designed to model certain objects, such as chemical compounds or internal organs.

3D modelers allow users to create and alter models via their 3D mesh. Users can add, subtract, stretch and otherwise change the mesh to their desire. Models can be viewed from a variety of angles, usually simultaneously. Models can be rotated and the view can be zoomed in and out.

3D modelers can export their models to files, which can then be imported into other applications as long as the metadata is compatible. Many modelers allow importers and exporters to be plugged-in, so they can read and write data in the native formats of other applications.

Most 3D modelers contain a number of related features, such as ray tracers and other rendering alternatives and texture mapping facilities. Some also contain features that support or allow animation of models. Some may be able to generate full-motion video of a series of rendered scenes (i.e. animation).

Major packages

A basic comparison including release date/version information can be found on the Comparison of 3D computer graphics software page. A comprehensive comparison of significant 3D packages can be found at CG Society Wiki and TDT3D 3D applications 2007 comparisons table..

  • 3ds Max (Autodesk), originally called 3D Studio MAX, is a comprehensive and versatile 3D application used in Film, Television, Games and Architecture. Max can be extended and customized through its SDK or through scripting using a Maxscript, a Maxscript wrapped implementation of .NET or Python (with a third party plugin). Max is used extensively for architectural visualizations in part thanks to close integration with AutoCAD--also developed by Autodesk and also its extensive selection of third party rendering options such as Brazil_R/S, finalRender and V-Ray]. 3ds Max is available in two versions: 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design. The two versions are plugin and file compatible but ship with different documentation and defaults to better fit the different customer bases that it serves. Both are priced at $3,495 USD and are available only for Windows.
  • AC3D (Inivis) is another 3D modeling application that began in the 90's on the Amiga platform. While it is used in a number of industries, MathWorks actively recommends it in many of their aerospace related articles[1] due to price and compatibility. Additionally it is the first commercial 3D modeler to integrate full support for exporting models to the metaverse platform Second Life. AC3D is priced in the range of $79 USD and is available for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. While AC3D does not feature its own renderer, it can generate output files for both RenderMan and POV-Ray among others.
  • Aladdin4D (DiscreetFX), first developed for the Amiga, was originally developed by Adspec Programming in Ohio. It developed an enthusiastic following and sold over 18,000 copies on the Amiga platform alone . After being acquired by visual effects company DiscreetFX, the package has finally been repositioned as a multi-platform product for Mac OS X, Amiga OS 4.1, MorphOS, Linux, AROS and Windows. It is priced at $99.95 USD and is available for Windows, Linux, MorphOS, Amiga OS 4 and AROS.
  • Blender (Blender Foundation) is a free, open-source, 3D studio for animation, modeling, rendering, and texturing offering a feature set comparable to commercial 3D animation suites such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Cinema 4D. It includes features such as multi-resolution sculpting; retopology painting. Additionally it supports 3D view texture painting; stack based modifier system; flexible particle system with particle based hair; cloth/soft body dynamics, rigid body dynamics and fluid simulation; node based texturing and node based compositing; an integrated non linear video editor; and integrated game engine. Blender is developed under the GPL and is available on all major platforms including Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, Sun and Irix. It is currently the only 3D animation suite that is supported both on super computers as well as handheld computers such as the Pocket PC (Pocket Blender).
  • Carrara (DAZ Productions) is a mature, fully-featured 3D tool set package for modeling, texturing, scene rendering and animation.
  • Cinema 4D (MAXON) is a slightly lighter package than the others in its basic configuration. The software is claimed to be artist-friendly, and is designed with the less-technical user in mind. It has a lower initial entry cost due to a modular a-la-carte design for purchasing additional functions as users need them. For example, a module called MoGraph allows the user to create motion graphics titles more easily. Originally developed for the Commodore Amiga, it is also available for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux.
  • Electric Image Animation System (EI Technology Group) is a 3D animation and rendering package available on both Mac OS X and Windows. Mostly known for its rendering quality and rendering speed it does not include a built-in modeler. EIAS features the ability to handle very large polygon counts. Recently, the blockbuster film "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"[2] and the Television hit "Lost"[3] utilized the software.
  • form•Z (AutoDesSys, Inc.) is a general purpose solid/surface 3D modeler. Its primary usage is modeling, and it also features photo realistic rendering and object-centric animation support. form•Z claims users involved in architecture, interior design, illustration, product design, and set design. Its default renderer uses the LightWorks rendering engine for raytracing and radiosity. form•Z also supports Plugins and Scripts and has rendering support via Next Limit's Maxwell Renderer. It has Import/Export capabilities and was first released in 1991. It is currently available for both Mac OS X and Windows. The price for this software ranges from $1495–$1995 USD based on output quality.
  • Houdini (Side Effects Software) is used for visual effects, and character animation as well as used in Disney's The Wild[4]. Houdini uses a nonstandard interface that it refers to as a "NODE system". Commercial licenses of Houdini include unlimited copies of Side Effects Software's hybrid micropolygon-raytracer renderer, Mantra, but Houdini also has built-in support for commercial renderers like Pixar's RenderMan and mental ray. There are two versions of Houdini, Houdini Escape ($1,995 USD) and Houdini Master ($7,995 USD). For non-commercial users, Side Effects Software offers the free Houdini Apprentice personal learning edition, which places a small watermark on images, and Houdini Apprentice HD, a $99 USD package that does not watermark renders.
  • Inventor (Autodesk) The Autodesk Inventor product line provides a comprehensive and flexible set of software for 3D mechanical design, product simulation, tooling creation, and design communication that help you cost-effectively take advantage of a Digital Prototyping workflow to design and build better products in less time. (Product Page)
  • MASSIVE is a 3D animation system for generating crowd-related visual effects, targeted for use in film and television. Originally developed for controlling the large-scale CGI battles in the Lord of the Rings[11], Massive Software has become an industry standard for digital crowd control in high end animation. Recently, the software has been utilized for blockbuster feature films including Happy Feet, King Kong, and I, Robot. It is available for various Unix and Linux platforms as well as Windows.
  • Maya (Autodesk) is currently used in the film and television industry. Maya has developed over the years into an application platform in and of itself through extendability via its MEL programming language. A common alternative to using the default built in rendering system named mental ray is Pixar's Renderman. In 2005, Autodesk (makers of AutoCAD), acquired Alias--the original creator of Maya[12]. It is priced at $3,495 USD and is available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.
  • Modo (Luxology) is a subdivision modeling, texturing and rendering tool with support for camera motion and morphs / blendshapes. It is priced in the area of $895 USD and is available for both Windows and Mac OS X.
  • NX (software) ( Siemens PLM Software) is an integrated suite of software for computer-aided mechanical design (mechanical CAM), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and computer-aided engineering (CAE) formed by combining the former Unigraphics and SDRC I-deas software product lines.[13] NX is currently available for the following operating systems: Windows XP and Vista, Apple Mac OS X,[14], and Novell SUSE Linux.[15] NX is considered to be Siemens high-end mechanical engineering product line.[16]
  • Silo (Nevercenter) is a subdivision-surface modeler available for Mac OS X and Windows. Silo does not include a renderer and is priced at $159 USD for the professional version and $99 USD for the core version. Silo is the bundled in modeler for the Electric Image Animation System suite.
  • SketchUp Pro (Google) is a 3D modeling package that features a sketch-based modeling approach. It has a pro version which supports 2-D and 3-D model export functions among other features, which is currently priced at $495 USD. It also has a free version that is integrated with Google Earth and limits export to Google's "3D Warehouse", where users can share their content.
  • Softimage (Autodesk) is feature-similar to Maya and 3ds Max and is sold as a competitive alternative. It is used in the production of professional films, commercials, video games, and other media. Softimage (formerly Softimage|XSI) is a 3D modeling and animation package that integrates with mental ray rendering. Prior to its acquisition by Avid and later Autodesk, Softimage, Co. originally promoted its predecessor (under the name Softimage 3D) for use in the video game industry and secured its promotion as part of the Nintendo N64 SDK[17].
  • solidThinking (solidThinking Ltd) is a 3D solid/surface modeling and rendering software which features a Construction Tree method of development. This is explained as the history of the model construction process allowes real-time updates when modifications are made to points, curves, parameters or entire objects. solidThinking is available in four versions: MODELER, MODELER XL, DESIGN, and VANTAGE.
  • Solid Edge ( Siemens PLM Software) is a commercial application for design, drafting, analysis, and simulation of products, systems, machines and tools. All versions include feature-based parametric modeling, assembly modeling, drafting, sheetmetal, weldment, freeform surface design, and data management.[18] Application-programming interfaces enable scripting in Visual Basic and C programming. The Solid Edge Velocity series is Siemens' mid-range CAD software product family.[16]
  • SolidWorks (SolidWorks Corporation) is an application used for the design, detailing and validation of products, systems, machines and toolings. All versions include modeling, assemblies, drawing, sheetmetal, weldment, and freeform surfacing functionality. It also has support for scripting in Visual Basic and C. The licenses/packages are: SolidWorks Standard, SolidWorks Professional, SolidWorks Premium, SolidWorks Simulation, SolidWorks Student Design Kit, SolidWorks Education Edition, and SolidWorks Student Edition.
  • Swift 3D (Electric Rain) Swift 3D is a powerful, approachable, and relatively inexpensive 3D design, modeling, and animation application targeted to entry-level 3D users and Adobe Flash designers. Swift 3D is the de-facto Mac OS X & Windows application for vector and raster-based 3D animations for Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight XAML. Swift 3D is the only 3D software to directly integrate with Flash through the Swift 3D File Importer and SmartLayer Technology, which separates the exported 3D animation into different layers (Colors, Outlines, Shadows, Highlights, Reflections and Transparency), giving designers additional creative control. Initially a pioneer in the 3D-to-vector Flash world, Swift 3D is now accepted as a highly-capable and versatile 3D authoring application, while maintaining its reputation as the marquee tool for producing vector-based 3D content for Flash and Microsoft Silverlight. It is priced at $249 USD.
  • trueSpace (Caligari Corporation) is another 3D program available for Windows, although the company Caligari first found its start on the Amiga platform. trueSpace features modeling, animation, 3D-painting, and rendering capabilities. In 2009, Microsoft purchased TrueSpace and now TrueSpace is available completely free of charge.
  • Vue (E-on Software) Vue is a tool for creating, animating and rendering natural 3D environments. It was most recently used to create the background jungle environments in the 2nd and 3rd Pirates of the Caribbean films[19].
  • ZBrush (Pixologic) is a digital sculpting tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing and painting tool available for Mac OS X and Windows. It is priced at $595 USD. This revolutionary tool is rapidly becoming a standard in both the video games industry and the films industry, for adding large amounts of detail to 3d models created in other 3d applications. It is widely used to create normal maps for low resolution models to make them look more detailed. A good example of this is seen in "next-gen" video games.

Other packages

  • Anim8or is a proprietary freeware 3D rendering and animation package.
  • Animation:Master from HASH, Inc is a modeling and animation package that focuses on ease of use. It is a spline-based modeler. Its strength lies in character animation.
  • Art of Illusion is a free software package developed under the GPL.
  • AutoQ3D is a GPLed cross-platform modeler.
  • Ayam is a free 3D modeling environment for the RenderMan interface.
  • Bryce (DAZ Productions) is most famous for landscapes and creating 'painterly' renderings, as well as its unique user interface.
  • Cybermotion 3D is a commercial 3D modeling, animation and rendering package.
  • Cheetah3D is primarily aimed at amateur 3D artists with some medium- and high-end features
  • DAZ Studio a free 3D rendering tool set for adjusting parameters of preexisting models, posing and rendering them in full 3D scene environments. Imports objects created in Poser and is similar to that program, but with fewer features.
  • DX Studio a complete integrated development environment for creating interactive 3D graphics. The system comprises both a real-time 3D engine and a suite of editing tools, and is the first product to offer a complete range of tools in a single IDE.
  • FaceGen is a source of human face models for other programs.
  • Grome is a professional outdoor scene modeler (terrain, water, vegetation) for games and other 3D real-time applications.
  • GMax
  • K-3D is a GNU modeling, animation, and rendering system available on Linux and Win32. It makes use of RenderMan-compliant render engines. It features scene graph procedural modelling similar to that found in Houdini.
  • MakeHuman is a GPL program that generates 3D parametric humanoids.
  • MeshLab is a free Windows, Linux and Mac OS X application for visualizing, simplifying, processing and converting large three dimensional meshes to or from a variety of 3D file formats.
  • MilkShape 3D is a shareware/trialware polygon 3D modelling program with extensive import/export capabilities.
  • Mudbox Mudbox is a high resolution brush-based 3D sculpting program, that claims to be the first of its type. The software was acquired by Autodesk in 2007, and has a current rival in its feild known as ZBrush (see above).
  • OpenFX is a modeling and animation studio, distributed under the GPL.
  • Poser (Smith Micro) Poser is a 3D rendering and animation software program optimized for models that depict the human figure in three-dimensional form and is specialized for adjusting features of preexisting character models via varying parameters. It is also for posing and rendering of models and characters. It includes some specialized tools for walk cycle creation, cloth and hair.
  • RealFlow simulates and renders particle systems of rigid bodies and fluids.
  • Realsoft3D Real3D Full featured 3D modeling, animation, simulation and rendering software available for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and Irix.
  • Rhinoceros 3D is a commercial modeling tool which has excellent support for freeform NURBS editing.
  • Seamless3d NURBS based modelling and animation software with much of the focus on creating avatars optimized for real time animation. It is free, open source under the MIT license.
  • Wings 3D is a BSD-licensed, subdivision modeler.

Renderers

  • 3Delight is a RenderMan-compliant renderer.
  • Aqsis is a free rendering suite compliant with the RenderMan standard.
  • Brazil is a rendering engine for 3ds Max and VIZ
  • FPrime for Lightwave adds a very fast preview and can in many cases be used for final rendering.
  • Gelato is a hardware-accelerated, non-real-time renderer created by graphics card manufacturer NVIDIA.
  • Indigo Renderer is a closed source (but free for all uses) photorealistic renderer that uses XML for scene description. Exporters available for Blender, Maya (Mti), form•Z, Cinema4D, Rhino, 3ds Max.
  • Kerkythea is a freeware rendering system that supports raytracing. Currently, it can be integrated with 3ds Max, Blender, SketchUp, and Silo (generally any software that can export files in obj and 3ds formats). Kerkythea is a standalone renderer, using physically accurate materials and lighting.
  • LuxRender is an unbiased open source rendering engine featuring Metropolis light transport
  • Maxwell Render is a multi-platform renderer which forgoes raytracing, global illumination and radiosity in favor of photon rendering with a virtual electromagnetic spectrum, resulting in very authentic looking renders. It was the first to market.
  • mental ray is another popular renderer, and comes default with most of the high-end packages. (Now owned by NVIDIA)
  • Pixar's PhotoRealistic RenderMan is the a renderer, used in many studios. Animation packages such as 3DS Max and Maya can pipeline to RenderMan to do all the rendering.
  • Pixie is an open source photorealistic renderer.
  • POV-Ray (or The Persistence of Vision Raytracer) is a freeware (with source) ray tracer written for multiple platforms.
  • Sunflow is an open source, photo-realistic renderer written in Java.
  • Turtle is an alternative renderer for Maya, it specializes in faster radiosity and automatic surface baking technology which further enhances its speedy renders.
  • VRay is promoted for use in the architectural visualization field used in conjunction with 3ds max and 3ds viz. It is also commonly used with Maya.
  • YafRay is a raytracer/renderer distributed under the LGPL. This project is no longer being actively developed.
  • YafaRay YafRay's successor, a raytracer/renderer distributed under the LGPL.

Related to 3D software

  • Swift3D is the marquee tool for producing vector-based 3D content for Flash. Also comes in plug-in form for transforming models in Lightwave or 3DS Max into Flash animations.
  • Match moving software is commonly used to match live video with computer-generated video, keeping the two in sync as the camera moves.
  • After producing video, studios then edit or composite the video using programs such as Adobe Premiere or Apple Final Cut at the low end, or Autodesk Combustion, Digital Fusion, Apple Shake at the high end.
  • MetaCreations Detailer and Painter 3D are discontinued software applications specifically for painting texture maps on 3-D Models.

See also

References

  1. ^ "About Aerospace Coordinate Systems". http://www.mathworks.com/access/helpdesk/help/toolbox/aeroblks/index.html?/access/helpdesk/help/toolbox/aeroblks/f3-22568.html. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 
  2. ^ "Electric Image Animation Software (EIAS) v6.6.1 UB Port Is Shipping". http://www.pr.com/press-release/35014. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 
  3. ^ "EIAS Production List". http://www.eitechnologygroup.com/products/production_list/. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 
  4. ^ "C.O.R.E. Goes to The Wild". http://www.fxguide.com/modules.php?name=press&rop=showcontent&id=385. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 
  5. ^ "Desktop Hollywood F/X". http://www.byte.com/art/9507/sec8/art2.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 
  6. ^ "So Say We All: The Visual Effects of "Battlestar Galactica"". http://www.uemedia.net/CPC/vfxpro/printer_13948.shtml. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 
  7. ^ "CSI: Dallas". http://www.cgw.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=48932D1DDB0F4F6B9BEA350A47CDFBE0. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 
  8. ^ "Lightwave projects list". http://www.newtek.com/lightwave/projects.php. Retrieved 2009-07-07. 
  9. ^ "Epic effects for 300". http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/index.cfm?featureid=1590. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 
  10. ^ "Lightwave used on Iron Man". 2008-08-08. http://newteknews.blogspot.com/2008/08/lightwave-used-on-iron-man-bobblehead.html. Retrieved 2009-07-07. 
  11. ^ "Lord of the Rings terror: It was just a software bug". http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9809929-7.html. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 
  12. ^ "Graphics Heavyweights Merge". http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/000967.html. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 
  13. ^ Cohn, David (2004-09-16). "NX 3 – The Culmination of a 3-year Migration". CADCAMNet (Cyon Research). http://www.newslettersonline.com/user/user.fas/s=63/fp=3/tp=47?T=open_article,847643&P=article. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 
  14. ^ "Siemens PLM Software Announces Availability of NX for Mac OS X". Siemens PLM Software. 2009-06-11. http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/newsroom/press/press_release.cfm?Component=82370&ComponentTemplate=822. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 
  15. ^ "UGS Ships NX 4 and Delivers Industry’s First Complete Digital Product Development Solution on Linux". 2009-04-04. http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/newsroom/press/press_release.cfm?Component=25399&ComponentTemplate=822. Retrieved 2009-06-20. 
  16. ^ a b "A Fresh Look at the Value Proposition of High-end Mechanical CAD". Cyon Research Corporation. 2007-07-13. pp. 4. http://cyonresearch.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Gay%2bQ%2fd%2bH5o%3d&tabid=84&mid=485. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 
  17. ^ "Softimage and Nintendo Team to Help Developers Create Hit Video Games". http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1997/apr97/ntndopr.mspx. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 
  18. ^ "Solid Edge". Siements PLM Software. 2009. http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/index.shtml. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 
  19. ^ "Vue Helps ILM Create Environments for 'Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest' VFX". http://www.pluginz.com/news/4535. Retrieved 2007-11-23. 

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