animation software

Any recomendations for animation software. Something cheaper than Maya, 3dsmax.

 

Blender

 

Blender

 

Blender will win hands down, because it does everything pretty well...just be advised, it has a slight learning curve. Do the tutorials!

 

Thanks, for the info. Anyone use Iclone? I am trying to learn Blender. None trivial.

 

Modo601
FragMotion
Milkshape3D

 

Daz Studio Pro is free. I would suggest Blender, though.

 

Blender is the main thing everyone will suggest- and I will too. It's an excellent tool.

 

Blender is ok if you don't mind ripping out your hair and eyeballs to learn it.

 

Yes, it is some of the more annoying software to use and learn, but it is the best software for the price.

 

iClone is a great solution for character animation, character design and props. You can import any FBX and remap the bones to iClone's HumanIK rig and use all the animation tools including motion puppet, Kinect mocap and motion editing to animate your characters. We've created a new video tutorial demo series for iClone and Unity (disclaimer: I work for Reallusion) You can view all the tutorials on my blog http://blog.reallusion.com/imported...eo-training-3d-characters-animation-prop.html

Here's a trailer for all your can do with iClone and Unity.
http://youtu.be/_QE88Gfz8Xg

 

DAZ Carrara is a nice app, not free but also not expensive. IMO one of the easiest to learn and use. I use it with Blender (Blender's modeling tools are hard to beat IMO).

@Amon - FragMotion's still around? Wow, I used that a long, long time ago. How compatible with Unity's FBX is it?

 

If you have 900$, Cinema 4D Prime is perfect.
Worked 4 years on very complex animations with it, and absolutely recommend it.

 

Saying that blender has a slight learning curve is kind of like saying Mt. Everest is a slight bump.

 

I learned blender in a few tutorials, just takes some time to get used to all the shortcuts.

 

Animize, does Iclone do rigging?

 

Not directly in iClone, but DAZ studo pro is a very nice free rigging Tool, Not complicated like as blender, and with 3Dxchangepipeline Version and iClone is Charakter animation easy and fun for everyone.

 

but dont you have to pay for iColne and for the FBX exporting plug ins? thats what i saw when i downloaded a demo for iClone a few months back

 

My question is what do I need to buy from Reallusion to create an avatar with animations and export the fbx file to use in 4b7? Can I use the animations and model in a game that will be sold?

 

iClone5 3DXchange

http://www.reallusion.com/store/purchase_ic.aspx

Some content is free to use but only after you buy it. In this case you must check the individual license for each content product that you buy and possibly pay extra for a game license.

 

HI Goat,

OK, I did get the trials for iClone and 3dxchange. Created a model with Daz Studio and imported it into edxchange, then exported it. Loaded it into 4b7. Bad T-pose. Large number faces. When I take it directly from Daz Studio it works OK. Only have 15 exports from edxchange.

 

Yes, I've avoided installing and using the trial from Reallusion because it's 30 days and 15 exports. They have some videos that shows it working fine but of course it depends on the model. I'm waiting to really put it the test and edit a face shape on a model to see if it's as easy and works as well as it appears.

And out of all the software I've tried to use to export a model from that I've bought (3D Max, Cinema 4D, Maya, DAZ 3D, Poser) DAZ does does it best. Hands down and easily. The only problem is the models are too big but I'm been recommended to use Ultimate UV Unwrapper for $60. I read too much about DAZ's Decimator to buy it for $99. I did create one model in Blender but I can't earnestly say I've used Blender models in Unity. I did help one guy troubleshoot his Blender animation in Unity but that's it.

This stuff adds up after a while.

 

Goat, have you purchased the decimator in Daz Studio?

 

Blender is free easy to be downloaded and in my opinion its easiest than 3dmax because my cousin had 3d max and it was too hard.

 

Ok, Which versions do you need? cause it looks like you need 3DXchange5 Pipeline ($500) and don't know what version of iClone is needed.. but that looks (unless i am mistaken) to be a minimum cost of $600.. am i wrong?

 

I recommend Iclone for ease of use and best bang for your hard earned Dollar!!! Man there something going on there with that product plus you get the chance to use kinetic to use yourself as the Animation for any creature or character you model yourself or download from their market place. Takes to long with other products like max , maya, soft image , light wave or modo etc... Iclone is a god send when it comes to animation. There price tag is awesome too

 

Pipeline is what you want it has both animation exports FBX and BVH. The others are worthless.

 

I can now use Max to export static or animated FBX and import it into iclone animate the model then export it to iclone FBX and bingo one animated model in no time at all!!!

But you could use any 3d modeller to import obj static model into iclone and animate then export to iclone FBX. Then into your game engine of choice Udk or unity etc.. Torque needs DAE. But that can be fixed by using Uv unwrap 3d just import FBX then covert to DAE. And done.

 

And yes you can rig in iclone!