Design software

[57townsman]

Hi All,

I have been thinking about getting into design and have been looking at CAD/ modeling software. I am mainly looking at low to mid range software for modeling and pattern development. Can anyone point me to competent reviews of various packages? On a side note, several programs offer unfold/unroll functions. Does anyone have any experience with or recommendations for these?

Nobi, you use Metasequoia for your designs. How do you like the program? Are there any good tutorials out there for it? The price is certainly right .

Has anyone any experience with Amapi 3D? I can pick up a copy cheap, but not if it won't work .

Anyway, sorry for rambling,
Steve

[Sticky Fingers]

I've got Amapi and I hate it. Maybe it's me but the interface is just not intuitive to me. Maybe I'm too used to autocad. I've looked at the trial version of Rhino and it seems similiar in its command structure. But there a lot of free trial version out there. Try a few out and experiment before you layout the sheckels.

[57townsman]

Thanks Mark,

That's the kind of feedback I am looking for If the interface isn't intuitive the learning curve will probably be pretty steep. Cheap or not that might not be for me, I need a pretty shallow curve if you know what I mean

Are you saying Rhino's command structure is similar to Autocad's? Have you played with it much? How about that unroll command?

Sorry for playing 100 questions, just trying to become an informed buyer

Steve

[wunwinglow]

Rhino is just the bees knees! BUT, it is pricey, just for a hobby tool. You might get an educational discount if you are at college. The unrollsrf command has been greatly improved from Rhino v2 to Rhino v3, and although it works the same way, has more options and is much more accurate and consistant.slice a cone with an extruded wiggly line, unroll the two pieces and they fit together exactly. Not so in v2.

Dr Zarkhov, the man behind the ModelArt series, has released a plug-in for AutoCAD (or another cheaper draughting package I can't remember!) which does some very sophisticated unrolling, but it is $200 or thereabouts, and you need the design prog too. And AutoCAD ain't cheap.... Rhino and this plug-in work geometrically, ie the shapes are calculated from the model geometry, something modelled with NURBS, splines, curves, surfaces etc.

Alternatively, if you can generate a mesh model, and export it in a standard format like dxf, lwo, 3do, metasquoia, odj, then Pepakura will unfold it, and in some circunstances unfold an applied texture bitmap at the same time. Check out http://www.e-cardmodel.com/pepakura-en/ for a free trial, the full version is only $39 and well worth it in my view. Not only will Pepakura unfold a mesh for you, it will add tabs, lay the parts out, scale the model, and other neat stuff.

There are several 3D modelling progs about for free or very little, Amapi you mention, Anim8or is another, Metasequoia, etc from their respective websites. Computer magazines, especially those involved with games and 3D design often have last years software on their cover CDs, with upgrade offers to later software. I've seen 3D Canvas, Milkshape, Cinema 4D, and others in the last few months.

If you are into flight sims, the latest Microsoft FS2004 (and FS2002 pro) comes with GMax, a cut-down version of 3D Studio Max, and Abacus Publications Flight Sim Design Studio bot will generate meshes you can unfold in Pepakura.

To work well and unfold sensibly, mesh models have to be fairly simple, not the mega-polygon monsters beloved of our rendering and animation cousins.

Whatever route you take, 3D modelling takes practise. Starting ANY of these programs from cold can be a very frustrating and mystifying time, but stick at it, work through the tutorial, find advice on the web (there is a HUGE amount for all these programs) and ask here too. Then we can all learn a bit more!

I'll sort out some urls.

Tim

PS Rhino is just the bees knees!

[wunwinglow]

Oh, there are a couple of cone developing programs on the net too. I'll try and locate their websites as well.

Tim

[NOBI]

Hi Townman,

Yes I'm use Metaseq for design 3dmodel before unfold in pepakura. Metaseq is a program to create 3dmesh for gaming but this program have more capacities to do a papermodel too. When i create 3dmodel from metaseq, i alway use Pepakura to create unfold job. thank pepakura's developer that they create pepakura to similar with metaseq mean u can use .mqo (metaseq's format) to unfold in pepakura with no problem...also import texture too. all of model i create is come from 2 program except S-3 Viking (I use Tenkai to unfold that S-3)

Also with Rhino 3.0, Rhino have a function name "UnRollSrf" what can unroll 3d to 2d, very useful for create papermodel. Tim is expert of Rhino, he can create unbeleiveable model what is cool looking like his Sea Fury. He nearly got Rhino 3.0 and when he got Rhino 3.0, i think we will see incredible model from Tim

I have plan to create tutorial about create 3dmodel from metaseq and pepakura too. but my problem is im Thai and im not good at english so i can not explain my tutorial in english so only i can do now is answer every question about metaseq and pepakura

design papermodel is not hard but u MUST love to design. almost modeler want to design own papermodel but some can design, thinking about yourself that u love to build or love to design.

Oh i forgot to tell that Laurren A.K.A. Ashrunner can give u many cool idea or technics in design papermodel too also with my first teacher Darwin

[Peter H]

I'll preface this post with writing that I may be crossing the line and so on writing to myself(can only ask....)

When any of you cluey guys do a bit of designing/unrolling/whatever, is it possible to do a few Alt-PrintScreen's and store with a description in a readme.txt in a zip of your progress.

Frankly I think.....I'm not the only one that finds these programs daunting and to have a "set-piece" sequence to copy and learn from might be a great help. I use it, then change a little bit and try again and change some more....yadda..yadda..yadda......it's a great help.

One of the league of extroadinary gentlemen did a sequece in Rhino and I loved following the footsteps while I used it for a trial period.

Many thanks in advance,

Peter

[wunwinglow]

Do you mean this one?

http://www.tjpgraphics.com/html/paper_models1.htm

Lazy good-for-nothing needs to finish the thing!

That'll be me then.....

Tim

[NOBI]

Tim, i got

[wunwinglow]

Oh, thanks NOBI, like I'm not riddled with guilt already!!

Tim

[NOBI]

powerful of Metaseq + Pepakura

[NOBI]

next

[NOBI]

interesting?

[wunwinglow]

Neat, NOBI! And I haven't finished the Russian Flying Wing yet! I must give up sleeping or something....

Tim

[Ziga]

NOBI, YES! - Fokker XXI!!!! Man you don't even know how long I've been waiting for a paper model of this plane. When is this one going to be available and how?

Best regards,
Kaz