k3D?

[LetterRip]

As far as I know, k-3d isn't even close on any front (modeling, uv mapping, texturing, rigging, weighting, animating, particles, simulations). It does however have a very nice tutorial system and uses aqsis for rendering - however I don't think it uses the full capabilities of aqsis. It is plugin architecture based, and its modeling is procedural.

LetterRip

[thondal]

i agree, check out this... doesnt seem like that program has anything near what blender has when it comes to uv mapping etc.
http://blender3d.org/cms/Blender_2_41.731.0.html


-thondal-

[FreakyDude]

Yes thondal, thanks but I was aware of that, I was wondering more about what k3D did.
It's mostly the procedural modeling i was interested in. Still am, but it's not like I'll be switching from blender. It's not a bad thing to be curious though....
Thank you Tom, I wasn't after whether or not it was way behind blender in these features, but rather where it stood as an app. the pro's and cons if you will. I have a decent answer now i think.

[Bellorum]

I believe k-3d was rewritten from scratch some while ago, and they're still in the process of "completing" it. If I remember correctly it uses GTK for it's UI, which sux. It also have very few developers, as opposed to Blender. Another weak point is the lack of a user community. I do however like the thought behind it, and it might be a viable option in the future, but right now I wouldn't embark on any big projects with it.

[BurtS]

K3D it's QT based modeler and editor specialized in C#/C++ scene description languages, and full support for RenderMAN compilants is inside. One of the best open tools for RenderMAN made ever. It needs newest version of QT library with headers, anyway above 3.1, you need also have KDE preinstaled. GCC =>3

C'ya

[LetterRip]

Their FAQ says it is not QT/KDE based, instead it is gtk+ based. Also their installer put a large number of gtk libraries on my computer when it installed :)'

For windows it installs everything and the kitchen sink that it needs,

LetterRip

[BurtS]

K3D it's QT based modeler and editor specialized in C#/C++ scene description languages, and full support for RenderMAN compilants is inside. One of the best open tools for RenderMAN made ever. It needs newest version of QT library with headers, anyway above 3.1, you need also have KDE preinstaled. GCC =>3

C'ya

Sorry Kpov:). Ofcourse it's GTK based. Anyway it's very easy to change library dependent UI elements, than rewrite functions with QT Develop Tools and make crosslibrary project. It shouldn't be hard even for intermediate programer.

[neuromancer1978]

I actually played around with K3D recently, and I liked it for the sole reason that it uses Renderman. HOWEVER, in order to use any custom shaders you happen to want to use, you have to write a XML like file for it to interface with it... and quite frankly that is a pain in the ass. I am used to Maya and the Liquid plugin (I use Renderman ALOT), and Liquid can directly link with custom parameters in your shader, no extra coding required.

But on the other hand K3D is very cool for the price. Whether I use it remains to be seen.

[chuong]

Will Blender version 2.42 have a Renderman exporter script ? I know there are some out there but i wish Aqsis could be good intergrated in blender like YAFRAY.

[neuromancer1978]

Will Blender version 2.42 have a Renderman exporter script ? I know there are some out there but i wish Aqsis could be good intergrated in blender like YAFRAY.

As of right now there is no "official" support for Renderman renderers in Blender. There are several RIB exporters but they are very limited at best. However the BtoR plugin/script/custom Blender build is in development.... but to aquire the source is like trying to convert iron to gold....

I myslef have devoted some time to this prospect, using RiSpec for rendering. But the bugs are so great with Blender to Aqsis (or Pixe, or any other REYES system)... there are many hurdles to leap before there is a complete and production ready script/plugin for Blender. The problem lies within the Blender core itself, and even though YAFRAY was built around the Blender core, it was bug ridden and as far as I can tell it is now a dead app. I think if Blender were to use RiSpec would to rely on CGKit2. This is a CG binding for many renderers out there, Renderman included.

But again the question remains - will this dream become a reality? I have done extensive testing with Blenderman myself and my results have ended mostly in failure. Yes it produces images, but compared to Liquid for Maya... it doesn't touch it.

I tried to encourage the Blender to Renderman users to kind of come together and debug/build a decent working system. However it hasn't worked out, and thought there is interest in it, there isn't enough, It seems to me the Blender community tends to love the new stuff for a few months before it gets buried in forums posts... you may argue, but I frequesnt these forums everyday.

Even though there is very little activity on my forum you are more than welcome to join and try to solve Pandora's Box of Renderman through Blender....

http://www.bestfreeforums.com/forums/blendertorender.html

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