Linux.com: 3D Modeling Software Dec 3, 2000, 16 :38 UTC (2 Talkback[s]) (5789 reads) (Other stories by Alex Young)
"When I began rendering images with Linux, I found it difficult to find a competent modeler. In
addition, the best ones I found came with price tags affixed. My 3D Studio Max and MaYa
friends took delight in mocking my unnatural-looking images. Reflective primitives floating
ominously in a world of chessboards doesn't quite match up to the rendered scenes seen daily
in films, television and glossy 'CGI' magazines. And even though I managed to get some rather
abstract and interesting results from simple algorithms, patience and POVRay, I still didn't feel
the freedom I received from using Imagine on my trusty old Amiga. Therefore, this article
presents a summary of the current state of 3D modeling with Linux."
"AC3D first application I came across, has been around for a long time. The main reason people
avoid AC3D is simple. It's not open source. While the trial binary will not save AC3D files, it
does give you a feel for the package. I personally like AC3D, and its registration (US $40) isn't
that expensive. Intuitive and easy to use, AC3D supports many common file formats. For
example, you could use it with POVRay or BMRT. AC3D ran quite well on my old k6-2 300
with 64MB RAM. I had quickly surrounded the Tie Fighter object with an array of objects.
These included extruded texture mapped text and scary saw-looking representations. If it's
imperative that you obtain a competent 3D modeler for Linux right now, give it a try."
"This really wouldn't be Linux without recursive acronyms, would it? Giram Is Really A Modeler
(GIRAM), and can read and write POVRay and AutoCAD DXF source files, using GTK+ for the
interface (no more boring grey motif-style interface!). Upon loading GIRAM, you are presented
with a small toolbox much like The Gimp...."
