Welcome to CHIP MARCH CD1 (Mindware)

Hardware | Software

Introduction | Test Process | Product Reviews

3D Authoring

Introduction

Doesn't looking at the ultra-cool trailors of movies and games give you a thrill? Well, these animations and movies have been created using top-end 3D modelling and authoring tools. Most of the 3D shooter games that we play are usually created with this software. Because of their nature of work, this software costs a lot but it is worth the price firms and companies pay for it. This software not only creates simple 3D objects but also animates them, adding special effects and realism. This powerful software needs some impressive hardware and good graphics display cards.

Most of the software discussed here are good in their very own special way. Also, 3D models and animations are being used on the Internet using VRML (Virtual Reality Markup Language).

Test Process

The 3D authoring software were tested by checking aspects such as modelling, animation, texturing capabilities. The tests were conducted by 3D modelling professionals and long-time users who use this software in their line of work. They were asked to judge the software for ease and quality. Points for each of these aspects were given out of a total of 5.

Other things were also considered such as installation size and the system requirements. The interface of the 3D authoring tool needs to be such that it shouldn't be too difficult or confusing to use. There should also be good workspace with simple toolbars denoting what each of the icons mean. The manuals and help provided by the companies helped in judging the best 3D authoring tool available.

Product Reviews

LightWave 6
Heavy On Features
This software is one of the easiest to install and use. The package includes a few manuals, the LightWave 6 CD and a hardware dongle to avoid piracy. The installation is just like that of any other software.

The software consists of two main parts-Modeler and Layout. Modeler is used to create the various parts of a particular scene. After all the components of the scene are completed, they are compiled and brought together in Layout, which then gives you the final result.

A word of advice to first-timer users-it might be tough to get used to the software. However, LightWave has a lot of capabilities and features under its hood that are unveiled after you have learnt to use it. The detailed manuals help you do exactly that.
+ Loads of powerful tools
+ Good interface
- Takes time to get used to
Contact: Shaf Broadcast
Price: Rs. 1,25,000
Phone: 022-8753709
Fax: 022-8728551
E-mail: shaf@vsnl.com
Web site: http://www.shafindia.com/

Rating:
Modelling: 3
Texture Support: 3
Lights: 4
Animation: 4
Special Effects/Features: 4
Overall: 4
Grade: B+

Amapi 3D
A Complete Solution
This 3D modelling software has been developed by Template Graphics Software (TGS). A small installation size of under 50 MB helps complete installation in a matter of minutes, which is really good timing for a 3D authoring tool. A Mac port allows Mac users to do the wonderful things PC users can do with this modelling tool.

Amapi 3D is a complete software program, allowing you to make wire mesh models and then apply textures and finally render them. It has a lot of preset shapes and objects that have been built into the package itself. The load-up time for the software is amazingly small and it doesn't take too much power from the system. Exporting files is really easy, with lots of options on how to export, including VRML, which is widely used on the Internet.

Amapi 3D gives you the option to use any one of two styles of interfaces for the toolbar. You can either choose to place the toolbar in the familiar Windows style, or in a newer, better position. Besides all these features, it also includes hardware support for Microscibe, a tool that allows you to create 3D models.
+ User-friendly toolbar
+ Low system resources and small install size
+ Very easy for beginners
Contact: TGS Software
Web site: http://www.tgs.com/

Rating:
Modelling: 4.5
Texture Support: 2
Lights: 3
Animation: 3
Special Effects/Features: 2
Overall: 3
Grade: C+

3D Studio MAX
MAXimum capabilities
This is one of the best 3D authoring tools around. It has a well-integrated toolbar and it can be highly customised to render some great-quality 3D models and animations. It includes good exporting functions and the help provided is very useful.

The install size of the software isn't too big for the capabilities and features it boasts of. The toolbar has some prominent icons on it explaining what each of them mean. This is one software that will be up and running within no time, much to the delight of newbies. More experienced users sometimes create basic structures and objects in Amapi 3D and then export it to 3D Studio MAX where they can be further edited to give quality and realism effects.
+ Makes animation easy
+ Reasonable install size
Contact: Discreet
Price: Rs 1,41,000
Phone: 022-8397336/98203 24815
Fax: 022-8397336/7
E-mail: product_info@discreet.com
Web site: http://www.discreet.com/

Rating:
Modelling: 4.5
Texture Support: 4.5
Lights: 4
Animation: 4.5
Special Effects/Features: 4
Overall: 4.5
Grade: A

Softimage 3D
Professional's Delight
Softimage 3D is a high-end software with some high-end system requirements. The installation procedure consists of the installation of the software and then the license server, which validates the license provided. The interface is really neat and consists of several separate parts such as Model, Motion, Actor Matter and Tools. Each of these parts is used for its special purpose and tasks such as modeling and material editing. An advanced software called SoftImage 3d XSI contains more advanced tools for the professional users.

The package comes with three CDs and three manuals. The CDs contain the installation of the software, the online library and a 3D database of already-created software programs. Overall, SoftImage 3D is an excellent software for professionals, though it is expensive compared to the others in its class.
+ Detailed manuals
- Installation is troublesome
Contact: Shaf Broadcast
Price: Rs 1,45,000 (Softimage 3D)
Price: Rs 6,00,000 (Softimage 3D XSI Advance)
Phone: 022-8753709
Fax: 022-8728851
E-mail: shaf@vsnl.com
Web site: www.shafindia.com

Rating:
Modelling: 3
Texture Support: 3
Lights: 3
Animation: 4
Special Effects/Features: 3
Overall: 3
Grade: B-

Maya 3D
Quality at a price
Maya 3D is another happening 3D authoring tool available for more technical users. It is, therefore, not as friendly as Amapi 3D or other software in this category.

Maya 3D is quite heavy on the system too. The load-up time is also more because of its huge install size of around 238 MB. The CD consists of the installation and also various other plug-ins such as QuickTime and Adobe Reader. The tutorial and manuals are in HTML.

The toolbar is quite detailed. There are a lot of tools including the animation toolbar, which is placed along with the other tools, making it easier for you to access while you work on any project. All in all, Maya 3D is one of the best 3D authoring tools in the market.
+ Impressive once studied
+ Simple installation
- Difficult to make basic shapes and objects
Contact: TATA Elxsi
Price: Rs 12,00,000 (Unlimited)
Price: Rs 5,00,000 (Complete)
Phone: 080-8360223/92
Fax: 080-8411464/68
E-mail: raji@tataelxsi.co.in
Web site: http://www.tataelxsi.com

Rating:
Modelling: 3.5
Texture Support: 3
Lights: 4
Animation: 4
Special Effects/Features: 4.5
Overall: 4
Grade: B+