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Northchild
07-04-2003, 04:03 AM
Ok. I've finished Harnessing 3ds max 5, I've started Paul Steed's Modeling a Character for 3ds max and will move on to Steed's Animating Real-Time Game Characters. I also have 3ds max Animation and Visual Effects Techniques. Taking a texture-painting class in two months to round out the training. Does anybody know of a good tutorial book about modeling landscapes (3ds or otherwise)? Are there any 3ds max 5 plugins that you'd consider to be absolutely essential to (high quality, non-real time, fantasy) landscape work? I was thinking about using the version of World Builder that came with a recent edition of Digit, but then I figured... why learn another package when I can get more practical experience if I just keep using 3ds?

As always, thank you. :)
treed
07-04-2003, 02:27 PM
Go to www.afterworks.com and they have a product called Dreamscape. It does pretty much any kind of terrain you want plus it does water simulation. :applause:



treed


[QUOTE]"Am clueless but optimistic"[/QUOTE
Northchild
07-04-2003, 08:39 PM
Looks really good to me. I noticed the scene by Hess in the gallery. :)

For those used to working with Dreamscape: How is the interface and tutorials? Can I create grass and trees (vegetation) or would I need another plug in? Would another program such as Vue 4 do more? I downloaded the demo of Vue and like it much better than Bryce 5, which I'm not happy with.

Basically, I want to render environments such as this: http://www.e-onsoftware.com/Gallery/PastDayPicFull.php?Index=1287

The Dreamscape student version has a pretty decent price ($150US), so if I can get this sort of functionality in something that plugs into 3ds max, then I'll be *very* happy.

Thank you again treed!
treed
07-04-2003, 09:45 PM
I don't think dreamscape does vegetation. Your only other options would be to get Vue 4 or just learn to do it all in max. There are plenty tutorials on water, trees, plants. :thumbsup:

BTW, i like you avatar. I reckon it was from the planet tutorial in 3ds max.


treed


"Am clueless but optimistic"
Northchild
07-04-2003, 09:54 PM
Yep, the planet tutorial with 3ds was a lot of fun. :)

I know that anything that I do will involve a lot of learning, which is fine. I also don't mind paying student prices for good plug-ins with good tutorials. So many choices when you're first starting out!

After some thought, I went with Vue D'espirit 4. This software is advertised as coming with a hefty manual and tutorials, which is absolutely essential to me because I'm still relatively new to art and technology. Also, I played with the trial version of Vue for a while today and really enjoy working with the interface. Vue does sky, some vegetation, and water. Vue looks more limited and less powerful overall than Dreamscape, but I'm guessing that power won't mean anything to me for at least another year. I hope that Vue plays well with my copy of max 5.1.

Thanks again!
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