Virtual Modeling

Blender is just as powerful as 3DS max. It's like comparing GIMP with PhotoShop. GIMP is just as powerful, got the same tools, is free.

Blender got nearly all the tools, got some tools of it's own, is just as powerful, and free!

-Lasse

I did quite a bit of modeling through Combat Flight Simulator 2... Actually, it was all painting skins, but the best part was after a paint job was done, I could fly it...

I've used 3DS Max for years. Its VERY pricey, but luckily I always got it free from the firm I worked for.

What type of restrictions does your condo association have that would prohibit you from modeling? 

Just took a quick look at Blender—looks like an excellent starter app!

Wood, Triarius...

I like Blender.  It's free as well, and is very powerful.  It isn't a CAD program, but it is a good modeler and animator.  I've been playing with it for a few years now.  There is a bit of a learning curve, but going through some tutes gets you started.  If you are interested in a good step by step modeling tut for Blender, just let me know, and I'll point you to it.

Please, take a look!  www.blender.org

And don't miss the gallery

Good luck!

m@

In your circumstances, it might be a viable alternative. There are perfectly good programs much less expensive than C4D—and starting with them will both teach you how to build digital models and allow you to start with small but satisfying projects. My caution was not so much about expense (my model stash, sold for value, would allow me to buy any software I wanted, and the best computer system to run it. Selling my tools would allow me to buy anything I wanted in that line. So the outlay is really similar—it just comes in slightly bigger chunks. The main consideration is time. The learning curve is long, and sometimes steep.

Investigate CG websites and ask questions in their forums. While the recent economic downturn has eliminated some of the smaller companies, you should be able to find "starter" programs that will teach you a lot for $300 or  less. For example, DAZ Studio is free. It's a figure posing program, but it's a start and will teach you many of the basics.

Programs like C4D and Maya, and other, newer ones are high end, professional level programs (not sure what Pixar and similar outfits are using right now, because I got out of CG several years back, but that's the level of sophistication I mean.)

Look into it—but I advise you not to try to do both unless you have a lot of time and money.

Thanks, I really appreciate the advice.  I modeled as a teenager, then dropped it for several years.  I took up modeling pretty seriously about 18 years ago, but stopped recently.   I find it almost impossible to carry on modeling as I have, since we now live in a condo with strict restrictions (one of the tradeoffs of getting away from yardwork  and maintenance).  I thought maybe virtual modeling would allow me to continue the hobby, but it looks a bit pricey. 

A bit of advice from the "voice of experience": unless you have a lot of time, pick one, virtual or real. Virtual modeling is great fun, far more frustrating at times than you realize, and can be more expensive than real scale. Learning curves can be long and steep, especially for the higher end programs.

Lower end (less expensive) programs tend to have limited capabilities. Higher end programs can run into the several thousand dollar range, but will do almost anything, including animation.

I started with Bryce and Poser, then switched to Vue d' esprit and DAZ studio. For actual modeling, I was lucky to get a copy of Maxon's Cinema 4D with the Xfrog module—the upgrades I purchased cost $1000+, with a discount! But it's a great modeling program.

I suggest you search for online communities involved in "computer graphics" (CG) search on that and "digital art" and you should find an abundance of information.