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Graphic Design software
Graphic Design software is a subclass of application software used for
graphic design, multimedia development, specialized image development,
general image editing, or simply to access graphic files. Art software
uses either raster or vector graphic reading and editing methods to
create, edit, and view art.
Many artists and other creative professionals today use computers rather
than traditional media. Using graphic art software may be more efficient
than rendering using traditional media by requiring less hand-eye
coordination, requiring less visualization skills, and utilizing the
computer's quicker (sometimes more accurate) automated rendering
functions to create images. However, advanced level computer styles,
effects and editing methods may require a steeper a learning curve of
computer technical skills than what was required to learn traditional
hand rendering and visualization skills. The potential of the
sophistication to enhance creativity more than the learning curve may
hinder creativity may depend on the intuitiveness of the interface.
List of 3D Graphic Design software
* 3ds Max (Autodesk),
originally called 3D Studio MAX. 3ds Max is used in many industries that
utilize 3D graphics. It is used in the video game industry for
developing models and creating cinema cut-scenes. It is used in
architectural visualizations because it is highly compatible with
AutoCAD--also developed by Autodesk. Additionally 3ds Max is used in
film production, one contemporary film being Kaena: The Prophecy[1].
With its price of around $3500 USD, it is one of the more expensive
products in the market for this type of work. 3ds Max is available for
Windows. 3DS Max is currently at version "2008" (v10).
* AC3D (Inivis) is another 3D modeling
application that began in the 90's on the Amiga platform. While it is
used in a number of industries, MathWorks actively recommends it in many
of their aerospace related articles[2] due to price and compatibility.
Additionally it is the first commercial 3D modeler to integrate full
support for exporting models to the metaverse platform Second Life. AC3D
is priced in the range of $79 USD and is available for Mac OS X, Windows
and Linux. While AC3D does not feature its own renderer, it can generate
output files for both RenderMan and POV-Ray among others.
* Blender (Blender Foundation) is a free,
open-source, 3D studio for animation, modeling, rendering, and texturing
offering a feature set comparable to high end and mid range 3D animation
suites such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Cinema 4D. It includes features such as
multi-resolution sculpting; retopology painting. Additionally it
supports 3D view texture painting; stack based modifier system; flexible
particle system with particle based hair; cloth/soft body dynamics,
rigid body dynamics and fluid simulation; node based texturing and node
based compositing; an integrated non linear video editor; and integrated
game engine. Blender is developed under the GPL and is available on all
major platforms including Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, Sun and Irix.. It
is currently the only 3D animation suite that is supported both on super
computers as well as handheld computers such as the Pocket PC (Pocket
Blender).
* Cinema 4D (MAXON) is a slightly lighter
package than the others in its basic configuration. The software is
claimed to be artist-friendly, and is designed with the less-technical
user in mind. It has a lower initial entry cost due to a modular
a-la-carte design for purchasing additional functions as users need
them. For example, a module called BodyPaint allows artists to draw
textures directly onto the surface of models. Originally developed for
the Commodore Amiga it is also available for Mac OS X, Windows and
Linux. Cinema 4D is currently at version 10.5
* Electric Image Animation System (EI Technology
Group) is a 3D animation and rendering package available on both
Mac OS X and Windows. Mostly known for its rendering quality and
rendering speed it does not include a built-in modeler. EIAS features
the ability to handle very large polygon counts. Recently, the
blockbuster film "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black
Pearl"[3] and the Television hit "Lost"[4] utilized the software.
* form-Z (autodessys, Inc.) is a general
purpose solid/surface 3D modeler. Its primary usage is modeling, and it
also features rendering and animation support. form-Z claims users
involved in architecture, interior design, illustration, product design,
and set design. Its default renderer uses the LightWorks rendering
engine for raytracing and radiosity. form-Z also supports Plugins and
Scripts and has rendering support via Next Limit's Maxwell Renderer. It
has Import/Export capabilities and was first released in 1991. It is
currently available for both Mac OS X and Windows. The price for this
software ranges from $1495-$2390USD based on output quality.
* Houdini (Side Effects Software) is used
for visual effects, and character animation as well as used in Disney's
The Wild[5]. Houdini uses a nonstandard interface that it refers to as a
"NODE system". Commercial licenses of Houdini include unlimited copies
of Side Effects Software's hybrid micropolygon-raytracer renderer,
Mantra, but Houdini also has built-in support for commercial renderers
like Pixar's RenderMan and mental ray. There are two versions of
Houdini, Houdini Escape ($1,995 USD) and Houdini Master ($7,995 USD).
For non-commercial users, Side Effects Software offers the free Houdini
Apprentice personal learning edition, which places a small watermark on
images, and Houdini Apprentice HD, a $99 USD package that does not
watermark renders. Houdini is currently at version 9.
* LightWave 3D (NewTek) originally
developed on for the Amiga, LightWave 3D was originally bundled as part
of the Video Toaster package and entered the market as a low cost way
for TV production companies to create quality CG for their programming.
It first gained public notoriety with its use in the TV series "Babylon
5"[6]. Contemporary use in TV and movie production can be seen with the
2004 recreated Battlestar Galactica series[7], CSI: Crime Scene
Investigation[8] and the film 300 (film)[9]. It is priced at $795 USD
and is available for both Windows and Mac OS X. Lightwave's current
version is Version 9.3.1
* Massive is a 3D animation system for
generating crowd-related visual effects, targeted for use in film and
television. Originally developed for controlling the large-scale CGI
battles in the Lord of the Rings[10], Massive Software has become an
industry standard for digital crowd control in high end animation.
Recently, the software has been utilized for blockbuster feature films
including Happy Feet, King Kong, and I, Robot. It is available for
various Unix and Linux platforms as well as Windows.
* Maya (Autodesk) is currently used in the
film and television industry. Maya has a high learning curve but has
developed over the years into an application platform in and of itself
through extendability via its MEL programming language. A common
alternative to using the default built in rendering system named mental
ray is Pixar's Renderman. In 2005, Autodesk (makers of AutoCAD),
acquired Alias--the original creator of Maya[11]. Maya comes in two
versions: Maya Complete ($1999 USD) and Maya Unlimited ($6999 USD).
There is also Maya Personal Learning Edition, which is for
non-commercial use and puts watermarks on any rendered images. The
current version of Maya is "2008" (v9)
* Modo (Luxology) is a subdivision
modeling, texturing and rendering tool. Recently, version 301 added
animation capabilities for camera motion and morphs / blendshapes. It is
priced in the area of 895$ USD and is available for both Windows and Mac
OS X. Modo's current version is 301.
* Silo (Nevercenter) is a
subdivision-surface modeler available for Mac OS X and Windows, with a
Linux version in development. Silo does not include a renderer and is
priced in the area of $109 USD. Silo is the bundled in modeler for the
Electric Image Animation System suite.
* SketchUp Pro (Google) is a 3D modeling
package that features a sketch-based modeling approach and has both a
Pro version which supports 2-D and 3-D model export functions among
other features, and is currently priced at $495 USD. Or, a free version
that is integrated with Google Earth and limits export to Google's "3D
Warehouse" where users can share their content.
* Softimage|XSI (Avid) is feature-similar
Maya and is sold as a completive alternative. Prior to its acquisition
by Avid, Softimage originally promoted the program (under the name
Softimage 3D) for use in the video game industry and secured its
promotion as part of the Nintendo N64 SDK[12]. The newer Softimage XSI
has additional features and integrates with mental ray rendering. XSI's
current version is version 6.5.
* solidThinking (solidThinking Ltd) is a 3D
solid/surface modeling and rendering software which features a
Construction Tree method of development. This is explained as the
history of the model construction process allowes real-time updates when
modifications are made to points, curves, parameters or entire objects.
solidThinking is available in four versions: MODELER, MODELER XL,
DESIGN, and VANTAGE.
* trueSpace (Caligari Corporation) is
another 3D program available for Windows, although the company Caligari
first found its start on the Amiga platform. trueSpace features
modeling, animation, 3D-painting, and rendering capabilities. It is
priced in the range of $199 USD for Version 5.2 through $595 USD for
Version 7. The current version is 7.5
* Vue 6 (E-on Software) Vue 6 is a tool for
creating, animating and rendering natural 3D environments. It was most
recently used to create the background jungle environments in the 2nd
and 3rd Pirates of the Caribbean films[13]. The current version is v6.5
* ZBrush (Pixologic) is a digital sculpting
tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing and painting tool
available for Mac OS X and Windows. It is priced at $489 USD.The current
version of Zbrush is 3.1.


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