CGTalk - Neil Blevins advise on modeling

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javierdl

06-16-2002, 03:24 PM

Hi all,

I thought some of you would like see the reply and advise I just got from Neil Blevins.
As some may remember I've been asking a lot about organic modeling, and when I found a tutorial of him on this subject I thought of asking him for adivise too. The tutorial I'm talking about is called "Tutorial 5: Building Organic Characters Using Editable Mesh and Meshsmooth in MAX R2.5 -
http://www.neilblevins.com/cg_education/tut05/tut05.htm

So this is what he replied:
Glad you've enjoyed my site.
That tutorial is quite old, in fact, I'm planning on removing it from my site with some revisions I have planned in the near future. You don't need pnurbs anymore, and if you'd like info on how to model using meshsmmoth these days, check out:

Subdivision modeling resource page
http://maxrovat.sns.hu/subdiv/

and the modeling forum:

http://cube.phlatt.net/forums/spiraloid//index.php

it will give you some ideas on how to proceed.
Good luck.

- Neil

You guys got to see the "Animated Gif section" at the Subdivision modeling resource page, it has some really cool GIF Animations demonstrating subdivision modeling.

I noticed many of the subdivision modeling tips are based on the Mirai modeling program, can anyone share a comparison between Mirai and 3DSmax4? Is Mirai better for organic modeling?

Well, I hope you'll enjoy this as much as I did.

DrPepperCan

frog

06-17-2002, 08:13 AM

Mirai is generally regarded as the best polygon modelling tool ever created, at least by the few that have had the good fortune to use it. Mehstools for Max is directly copied from Mirai and does include a good part of it's toolset.

Unfortunately Mirai was sold, and it's current owners don't seem to be doing much with it, or even selling licenses, so it is very hard to get hold of. However, there is a "little brother" version of it called Nendo which used to retail for an unbelievable $99. You can download a demo version of it at izware (http://www.izware.com/) which is export disabled. However, with this script (http://www.spies.com/~palevich/3d/importndo/) you can import Nendo files directly into Max 4.

There is also a Nendo clone called Wings 3d (www.wings3d.com) which is free and is rumoured to be very good.

My advice is to get the Nendo demo and check it out, it will open your eyes to just how simple poly modelling can be with the right tools. It is not only the actual toolset that makes the program standout, but also the amazing user friendliness and simplicity of the interface. Most modelling apps have a steep learning curve and require several weeks to get proficient in. Nendo can be learnt in half an hour, and the modelling system is the most efficient and easily understood there is.

pior

06-17-2002, 08:17 PM

Thanks for the script tip peppercan ! I'll try it tonight and see if i can produce kickass meshes in half an hour :)

see ya

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