While I’ve been working in the 3D medium for about a year and a half now, designing my own models is a rather new thing for me. It’s taken me a while to learn a lot of the tools that used to build a mesh and texture it. Even though I’m not much of an artist when it comes to drawing, I think I’m slowly starting to get the hang of doing the 3D thing.
Now, I know that that there are several programs that the industry use as a standard for 3D modeling. Unfortunately, those software packages are quite expensive. There are also several open source solutions such as Blender but I just can’t get the hang of it’s interface. Wings 3D, though, is quite an easy to get the hang of even though it’s only a modeler. I ended up settling on a moderately priced application called Carrara and I seem to be having a decent amount of luck with it. Most of my 3D modeling skills have been put to the test building things for the new Valkyrion RPG book that I’m in the process of illustrating.
The thought process for 3D modeling is quite different from what I originally thought it would be. I’ve had to learn different techniques to translate the ideas in my head to the screen. I’m thankful that there’s a ton of information in the Carrara user community and I’m usually always able to find something that helps me solve any problem that I encounter. Most of what I learn, though, has come from trial and error which isn’t surprising considering that’s how I usually learn a new skill.
While I don’t think I’m going to be the next artist at Pixar, I think I’ll eventually reach a level that will satisfy me artistically. I’m still doing most of my 3D work in programs such as Daz 3D since there’s a wealth of great models out there for it. Most of those models will also import into Carrara which makes it possible to combine my own creations with that of others. Hopefully I’ll be able to start showing off more of my new skills once I start the next chapter of BS/OD.
