It’s not that you can’t import models into Electric Images Modeler from other applications, is that you can’t edit them once you have. You cant even edit their native fact files once theyve been exported. The key word here is EDIT. You can get the model into the application, (transporter has been around since version 2 at least) but you cant change it once its there. You can animate it, however. (in animator of course) If there was something about the mesh you didnt like youre pretty much S.O. L. You have to go back to the model file (which is a separate thing from the .fact file) alter the mesh and re-export.
The renderer? One of the best, I think. I find it odd that everyone always talks about how fast it is but never mention if its any good or not. Doesnt matter if its fast if the finished product isnt any good, but in this aspect E.I. really delivers. And its pseudo-global illumination is not only beautiful, but its just as sceamin fast as the rest of the render system.
Character animation? Well, it can be done, but its surely not the best tool for the job. EI continues to improve their character animation tools and they have improved considerably since I started using it, but they dont compare to LW/Messiah or, of course, Maya.
EI is best for environmental and mechanical animation. I cant think of anything better in that arena, but if youre focusing on character animation, especially photo real stuff, I would think hard before you decide to go down that road. (though, you never would have managed truly photoreal stuff with Hash, either. Not with that render system.) You can do it, but its gonna take more effort for the same results. I worked out a system to use low res proxy models, but honestly Ive havent worked with a character model that was poly heavy enough for me to care, so that might be a non-issue, but it doesnt have any sort of dynamics system without purchasing a plug in (or two), it doesnt do fur/hair (always a good thing if youre doing characters) and it doesnt really have any kind of a UV mapping system. (all of this as of the last version of 4.x, though I didnt see any of those features in the list for 5) Its morphing system works, but is somewhat touchy and leaves little room for error.
Dont get me wrong. I love EI. I just dont try to make it into something it isnt.
And one last thing. In my opinion buying the write tools, no matter what they cost, is half the battle of creative expression. You dont see auto mechanics down at the flea market buying cheap tin wrenches and you wont be able to push yourself to the limits of your creative vision if the software you chose isnt the right package for the type of work you want to do.
Just to make it all the more confusing, I included a couple of renders of a character model (in progress) that Ive been working on in EI.
Just my buck and a half’s worth
