Before dedicating to my project and beginning the modelling process, I needed to find the right software for the task. In order to do so, I needed to consider what elements I would need to create my final project, and then experiment within appropriate software to see what they have to offer, as well as which one I felt more comfortable working in.
What do I need?:
- 3D modelling
- 3D Animation
- 3D Rendering
Maya
‘Maya® 3D animation, modelling, simulation and rendering software provides an integrated, powerful toolset. Use it for animation, environments, motion graphics, virtual reality and character creation.’
Pros:
- Versatile. Maya developers are and have been constantly developing and improving the software since it was acquired by Autodesk back in 2006.
- Industry standard. Framestore and Moving Picture Company collaborated on two key characters from this summer’s blockbuster hit Guardians of the Galaxy. The software has also been used in films including Transformers, Pacific Rim, Wreck It Ralph, The Hobbit, and the first 3D version of the classic Charles Shulz’ comic Peanuts.
- Skills can be used in other software. When you learn a complex software like Maya, you are building the skill of learning how to use a new type of tool. In this case, you’re learning how to use 3D animation software. [REFERENCE http://blog.animationmentor.com/5-reasons-why-3d-animators-should-know-autodesk-maya/]
Cons:
- Unorganised. The interface of Maya is rather complicated compared to Blender.
- Expensive. Although I have a student licence that allows me access to the software for free, using this software after my university degree would come to a pricey total, costing almost £1,700 a year!
- Complicated to learn. Compared to other software, Maya is very difficult to navigate and use.
Blender
‘Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation.’
Pros:
- Free. Blender is licensed under the GPL.
- Powerful. Runs on many Platforms. You don’t have to worry about what computer you are working on.
- Python Extensibility. Blender embeds Python 3, which can be used to write add-ons, tools, extend the interface, rig characters and automate tasks.
- Sculpting. Although blenders 3d painting and sculpting tools are not specialised like Substance painter, it is more than capable of getting most jobs done with a lot of practice and time taken to understand it’s capabilities.
- Rendering. Blender runs the Cycles path tracing engine under the hood. Cycles is a very powerful rendering engine capable of full path tracing.
Cons:
- Mouse. Some of the short cut functions are made a lot easier with a middle mouse button or a mouse wheel, so you will need to buy one of these.
- Viewport performance. Slow viewport performance with high-poly scenes.
Sources:
– Animation Mentor Blog. (2017). 5 Reasons Why 3D Animators Should Know Autodesk Maya ®. [online] Available at: http://blog.animationmentor.com/5-reasons-why-3d-animators-should-know-autodesk-maya/ [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
– Autodesk.co.uk. (2017). Maya | Computer Animation & Modelling Software | Autodesk. [online] Available at: https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/maya/overview [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
– Foundation, B. (2017). blender.org – Home of the Blender project – Free and Open 3D Creation Software. [online] blender.org. Available at: https://www.blender.org [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
– Pluralsight.com. (2017). Where Blender Functionality is Better Than Maya’s. [online] Available at: https://www.pluralsight.com/blog/film-games/where-blender-functionality-is-better-than-mayas [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
– Quora. (2017). What are Blender 3D’s pros and cons?. [online] Available at: https://www.quora.com/What-are-Blender-3D’s-pros-and-cons [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].