which grafix tool is best?

[henk brouwer]

I'm using gimp for windows ( www.gimp.org, scroll down and follow the link to gimp for windows ). It's has almost all the options of psp and ps, and some others, and the best thing: it's completely free . Only problem I found so far is that it doesn't work very well with my graphics tablet

[ November 14, 2002, 15:07: Message edited by: henk brouwer ]

[Elowan]

My faves:

2D:

• PaintShop Pro - most bang for the buck. Layers; color substitution; alpha channels; batch processing; great effects built in (Sculpture for example).
• MediaCenter - cataloging graphics (and audio and movies)
  

3D:

• Lightwave 7.n - splitting modeler/viewer was a good move. Comes with some great plug-ins. Dongle is a PITA however.
• Rhino - easiest to learn. Imports most formats. Most intuitive interface.
• Animation Master - best animator bar none. A little buggy but company very responsive to user input and fixes are implemented quickly. Needs lots of RAM. For figure modeling and IK - nothing can touch it.
  

I have all the rest (my company humors me) but use the above the most.
PovRay, Moray and Doga are not worth the effort - in my view - even if they are 'free' (see below).

Maya is a pain-in-the-a**. Frankly, I think it's over-rated.

gMax is an app that never seems to do right by me. Why doesn't it import Max files? Textures often get 'lost' on importing. Some have had good luck with it and it's free. Much better than Doga et al in my opinion.

3DS Max is a good all-around application but pricey ($3,195.00). I wouldn't let the company buy it - got an older Version off E-bay instead.

Deep Exploration is over-priced but is one-helluva multi-format viewer.

[ November 14, 2002, 17:16: Message edited by: Elowan ]

[mlmbd]

Rags, sure!! And you are most welcome. Yeah, I can't believe just how much more stuff you can do in Real-DRAW over PS7P.

mlmbd

[TerranC]

Originally posted by Elowan:

PovRay, Moray and Doga are not worth the effort - in my view - even if they are 'free' (see below).

Why is it not worth the effort? Everything's worth the effort; and DoGA is a good alternative to people that just can't get a grasp of other 3d softwares.

gMax is an app that never seems to do right by me. Why doesn't it import Max files? Textures often get 'lost' on importing. Some have had good luck with it and it's free. Much better than Doga et al in my opinion.

Maybe it's because gMax was made for creating GAME MODELS, not 3d images.

Edit: Just for the sake of it...

Advise for choosing YOUR 3D solutions (by people that know best)

[ November 16, 2002, 13:59: Message edited by: TerranC ]

[Elowan]

Originally posted by TerranC:

Maybe it's because gMax was made for creating GAME MODELS, not 3d images.

Aren't we talking about a game here? SEIV is a game AFAIK. Texturing is still used to some degree IINM.

BTW - thanks for the URL. Bares out some of my feelings as well.

[ November 16, 2002, 20:47: Message edited by: Elowan ]

[Phoenix-D]

"Aren't we talking about a game here? SEIV is a game AFAIK. Texturing is still used to some degree IINM."

There is a pretty large difference between a static rendered image and a in-engine model! None of my Bryce ships would work for any known game engine; they have far too many polygons. Se4 however, handles them fine..because as BMP images, polygon count no longer matters.

Phoenix-D

[mlmbd]

Elowan, your points are well taken. But not everyone has the luxury of a company supporting their desires, with respect to FX software.

I don't imagine most of the people here can afford software ranging from $200 to $15,000. So they grab the best thing they can afford. For some that is free. And DOGA isn't free. Only the crippled Versions of DOGA L2-L3 are free, Registered $40. To your company and your habit, that might not be much. But to majority of us that's alot. For some even that $40 is to much.

And given ALL that the images here are pretty impressive. IMHO

If I remember right gMax doesn't support bmp's and gif's. So that might be the problem you are having with it.

mlmbd

[KirbyEF]

I agree most people don't have a lot of money to spend on computer stuff.

Professional tools are just that.... and they cost a bunch of weeks of allowance (or burgers flipped, etc.).

DOGA is good. I have talked about a couple that are under $100 bucks.... more in the price range for the average user...

I looked at the Real Draw Pro.... very powerful!

KirbyEF

[ November 23, 2002, 18:51: Message edited by: kirbyef ]

[KirbyEF]

Has anyone tried System Mechanic?

It has some nice features and for a reasonable price...$59.95

For example the registry program finds problems, even Norton WinDoctor doesn't find... The two utilities compliment each other.

Another tool in it is the connection wizard, for optimizing your internet connection, for both modem or DSL/Cable....

Several other features... you can even trial it for 30 days... check it out.

http://www.iolo.com/

KirbyEF

[ December 05, 2002, 03:03: Message edited by: kirbyef ]

[mlmbd]

kirbyef, I didn't know that "System Mechanic" was a grafix tool. I mean who knew?

mlmbd