Recommended 3D modellers for Static Meshes?

[Cizjut]

As much as I hate to admit, i can't use 3DSMax. it's heavy and cumbersome in many ways for me to actually start doing anything and the tutorials i've seen haven't been very helpful. BUT, it just can't be the only modeller out there to use in Uengine 2.5

I have a good grip of the UE2 editor, but as all of you know, static meshes make the scenario become that awesomeness we all want, and making Static Meshes out of the UE BSP's is not that good. What could be used to make decent static meshes? what programs do you use and what others would you recommend?

i was thinking in something that looks/works as the KF editor and 3DSmax (the 4 screens, 3 with grid) and then trying to import the finished basic .obj to, let's say, Zbrush to make details to the figure/structure, but i don't know how viable this is and how much polygons could KF take since zbrush is so polygon heavy

[TomboPukka]

Try Xsi Mod tool 6 the company was bought by autodesk and they released a new version 7.5 with with so many buttons and confusing layout its terrible 6 is just easy to use exports to .obj fine. Also Zbrush was used for Specimin models for KF so it will support them. As for a polygon limit im not sure how high it goes

[[TW]DrGuppy]

I suggest 3Ds Max, Maya, or XSI (I'm a Maya user). Blender and Wings 3D should also work but I'm not familiar with them. Technically, there isn't really a polygon limit but when your map crashes that might be a good limit indicator.

Here's a few standard polygon counts (in triangles) for most UE2.5 games;

Character 4000 - 6000
Vehicle 2000 - 6000
Common statics (tree / bench / etc.) 200 - 3000

[Cizjut]

Thanks Guppy and pukka

I've been looking at Sketchup and looks fairly easy to use as well. Might check XSI or Maya

Anyways, post the methods you use to get the ideas flowing out

[Cizjut]

Ok, i have been checking Google SketchUp as a 3DModeller...

And it's awesome. There, I just wanted to say it. It doesn't write to .ase or .iwo BUT can make .obj, so just launch another app like 3ds max and save as.

Anyways, I just posted here because i didn't want to make anothe thread, but i recommend you check it out. It's ridiculously easy, in 3 days you and your mom could be doing something great in it

If anyone know a .obj to .ase converter would be helpful...

[Imajus]

Max is the way to go for games period. If you really don't want to use it you can check XSI mod tool, maya, or modo. I use Max at work, but for personal work my favorite software is silo 2. Check it out, it's really powerful and cheap. Sketchup is cool, but for modeling it's very limited and it's not at all intended to be used for games.

[SgtStress]

Silo is really good, been using this for a while (i couldnt justify 2k + costs for max... and this costs like 100 quid) for all manner of tasks, low on price, high on function, highly recommended.

[Napalm]

Well, if you want a free modeling program thats similar to 3ds max then you can use Gmax. It's pretty much just a scaled down version of 3ds max. But 3ds max/maya really isnt that complicated, and you'll find out that it is well worth using it..

[pantsburgh]

If you think you can't learn max...

http://www.poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/tutorial.htm

...watch his beginner 3ds max video where he models a bench. You can model pretty much anything with the same techniques. There's tonnes (notice how I spelled it correctly?) of other great material on there too once you have a grasp of the basics.