Cheap 3D and a model question?

[Applied CD]

I?ve been using Director for nearly a decade but this is the first project
where we would like to use a simple* 3D model. Essentially it will be an
animated sequence of something like a box opening. The sequence will not be
interactive, it will simply play and move on. Does anyone have recommendations
for software (WinXP) that is easy to use and won?t eat up the entire project
budget?

* OK, I said the model was simple but it might not be. As mentioned, it really
is a box with the top flaps interlocking .. those flaps simply need to open and
we?re done. The problem is the interlock flaps, if you practice this with a
real cardboard box you?ll notice the flaps need to flex slightly as the box is
opened ? if you were to try this with a wooden box there would be no way to get
it open. I?m concerned about this need to ?flex? the opening panels. Any
thoughts?

[Rocken30@hotmail.com]

heres a free and easy to use game modeler that im sure u can use for you
project.. it also has an animator built into it as well!
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge
href="http://www.misfitcode.com/misfitmodel3d/main.html
CHeck">[url]http://www.misfitcode.com/misfitmodel3d/main.html[/url]
CHeck</a> it out and good luck with your project!

[BigK]

Sounds like a fairly easy project. You have a huge selection of free 3D
modeling/animation applications that will probably work. Blender is
probably the best choice, but it isn't the easiest to learn. I've used
it off and on for about a year, and I'd guess that it took about a week
before I could say I was proficient with it (and I've got over a decade
of 3D modeling behind me). Your project sounds pretty easy, so might be
a good opportunity to try it out.

My favorite 3D app (and I have and use Maya, Max, Truespace, and others)
is still Carrara Pro. I found the workflow very intuitive and the
renders are outstanding. The price for Carrara Pro is about 1/5th that
of Max. The only thing I don't like about Carrara is that it doesn't
fit into my game development workflow very well (can't export armatures
or animations) but if all you want to do is render to a string of image
files or video, Carrara would be perfect.

If I can be of further help, drop me an email (a link is on my website)
[url]http://www.pmudesign.com/[/url]

Hope this helps...