3D modellers

Well, guys after a got to melt down point with this topic I am going to get a new 3D modeler and really this time make my long list of stuff. But what is the best to get 3DCanvas Gmax or TSM which one is not the easiest but the best one for the job and a newcomer to this stuff? I am thinking 3D Canvas is my cup of tea and the best because it has more for MSTS then any other program. But do I need an another program to export to MSTS or can 3D Canvas do that? I am going to go through the forums and look into this a lot is there any books on modeling for MSTS or any thing close to it? I am directing this topic to the biggest 3D Canvas user on here.

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RE: 3D modellers, wacampbell, Oct-06-04, 08:09 PM, (1) RE: 3D modellers, buzzbenz, Oct-06-04, 09:17 PM, (2) RE: 3D modellers, kenya, Oct-06-04, 09:48 PM, (3) RE: 3D modellers, Vulcan Foundry, Oct-07-04, 00:45 AM, (4) RE: 3D modellers, scottb613, Oct-07-04, 12:27 PM, (5) RE: 3D modellers, DaveDandy, Oct-07-04, 01:20 PM, (6) RE: 3D modellers, pwillard, Oct-07-04, 06:52 PM, (7) RE: 3D modellers, Vulcan Foundry, Oct-07-04, 10:21 PM, (8) RE: 3D modellers, Hobart, Oct-08-04, 01:04 AM, (9) RE: 3D modellers, mickoo, Oct-08-04, 04:56 PM, (10) RE: 3D modellers, pwillard, Oct-08-04, 10:33 PM, (11) RE: 3D modellers, Kip, Oct-09-04, 03:02 PM, (12)

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You'll probably gets lots of opinions on this. There is good work done with all three modellers. 3D Canvas has served me well and is an excellent program. Exporting to MSTS is usually just a single click in the MSTS Wizard. It copies all required files to the proper directories in MSTS. Other wizards are available to build many basic rolling stock components even including steam loco running gear with full animation. Another important point is it imports and exports all of the most important file formats so it can be used for model development outside of MSTS, making it somewhat future proof with respect to new developments in the hobby.Wayne

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Yeah, 3D Canvas' MSTS exporter is awesome - will even create a default .eng and .sd file for you too, just to get you up and running.Another thing in 3D Canvas' favor is that its developer is always working on a newer version and is very open to the input of the community. Him and all the other experts over in the Amabilis forums are also very quick to answer questions and help with whatever you need.----------- BUZZ -----------

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LAST EDITED ON Oct-06-04 AT 09:54 PM (EDT)

Well, let me ask this will 3DCanvas let me make the 614 right down to the last little nut and bult? And what one do I get 3D Canvas Pro or 3D Canvas standard?

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It you want to export into MSTS and are serious about modelling than certainly go for the Pro version. The standard version lacks any 3rd party plug-ins or script funtionality that make life easier.Yes it will allow you to create whatever you want and to whatever detail you desire, all it takes is some patience, skill and knowledge of most of the 3DC tools. Do all the tutorials you can lay your hands on and practice making simplistic models for starters ie shed, water tower etc, before you try even a wagon of engine.

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Hi..I was very recently in the same boat - like last week - ... I did a little poking around and it seemed 3D Canvas had what I was looking for - too... From what I gather...GMAX seemed the hardest to learn and has many tools we will not need for MSTS... TSM - I read somewhere - was getting a bit outdated and was not being supported by the vendor...3D Canvas - seemed to have the most useful tools specifically designed for MSTS... And many of these had to do with building Steam Locomotives... My interest area... This seemed to be my quickest way to achieve my desired result... A working Steam Locomotive... I have never built a 3d Model before... I am currentlty working my way through some of the basic tutorials... So I probably have a ways to go... Check out this site - http://www.railpage.org.au/steam4me - see the tutorial sections... All kinds of really useful stuff... It may help you make up your mind...Good Luck...Regards,
Scott

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I have all three. Certainly I think TSM is the easiest--but it has some bad limitations. 3DC is fine and the plugins are nice, but if I want an update, I need to buy a new version. I have 5.7 and if I don't have at least 6.1 (I think), the vendor wants more money! I've also been trying to madel in GMAX. There are a few tutorials out there that will get you going. I also have the GMAX bible. And yes, it has a few features I probably wouldn't use in MSTS. But GMAX is free and it is probably the most used software for flight sim modeling as well. So in my book, it's worth the effort to try and learn GMAX. There's a train sim plugin for GMAX too.Dave

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LAST EDITED ON Oct-07-04 AT 06:55 PM (EDT)

I have all three as well.TSM seemed so... primitive and and un-friendly. It's limitations really started to bug me early on.GMAX... Ok sure, it's 3D Studio Max that got majorly neutered to become a free tool for Gamers... but geez louise... you have to really want to learn how to make it happy before it does what you want it to do.3D Canvas Pro is what I settled on. It has what I need and what the developer didn't include by default for MSTS, Paul Gausden and others have added with their wonderful PLUG-IN tools.
FYI: 90% of the models I've released were done with 5.7a of Canvas. Thge Plug-in developers have been nice enough to make backwards compatible add ons. I didn't NEED to upgrade, but there were a few slick modifications to the program (that we asked for) that were great timesavers as a result. (Eat your heart out TSM users... when did they ever add "user" requested features to TSM?)Pete Willard

http://www.trainsimstuff.com

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For that matter Pete, when did Discreet ever add 'user' requested features to GMAX either. Its far from perfect and will only be updated is Discreet care to.

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Don't get TSM, its the worst. Unless, of course, you enjoy sending reports to uncle Billy.

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To Be fair, Gmax is pretty stable, certainly after 3 years making trains and planes its only played bad boy on occasion.The biggest issues with Gmax are the exporter plugins and dlls needed to export to MSTS, those come from Kuju and those seem to be the root cause of 90% of the faults with Gmax for MSTS use, certainly the MSFS plugins et al are rock solid.Its down to what you want to do, the amount of time and patience you wish to expend as to which package suits you best, for me Gmax was the only real way fwd as it works in both sims, it did take almost 8 months to swap over from FSDS and TSM but l personally think it was worth it.If your just aiming for MSTS then l dont think you can go much wrong with 3DC, as mentioned above its certainly well supported.Best regardsMichael

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Don't think 3D Canvas won't help with GMAX.I've migrated a model from 3D CANVAS only to use GMAX as the EXPORT TOOL for TRAINZ... the modeling was done entirely in 3D CANVAS and only require me to re-attach the skins (1 step... easy) and define my attachment points for couplers and Bogies.For MSTS... it's a moot point since it contains an MSTS exporter, but you could just as well start a model with the wonderful 3DC Wizards and finish it with GMAX if you were so inclined.GMAX would them become your conversion tool for TRAINZ or MSTS and you could still have all the benefits of the nifty Wiards and Plugins that Paul and Dean Created.Pete Willard

http://www.trainsimstuff.com

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TSM would perhaps be the best place to learn the fundamentals of 3D modeling. Granted, it has some limitations, some extreme, but it does work for MSTS. GMAX takes time and patience and formost...a great deal of understanding let alone a good memory of all the tools implemented in GMAX. 3D Canvas is subtle compared to GMAX. I too have the Pro version and all the plug-ins for MSTS and other plug-in tools as well. The best way to describe the program for me is a "comfortable learning curve". There are tutorials, good support and alot of folks at Amabilis that can help you out. I was able to export a MSTS model on the very day I got the Pro version. To me that says alot. I did in fact use TSM for awhile and that program did help a little in learning 3DC in the longrun. Good luck!Kip
Creator of PRRR and Hoodoo Pass

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