Taking on 3D Modeling (TF2, BL, etc.)

[Volko]

So after spending much too much time on these forums and the Steam Workshop, I have decided that I want to see what I'm worth in the modeling field.  I've never picked up anything about the sort.

Here are a plethora of questions I will provide for you guys.

1. Which is best, Milkshape 3D or Blender?

2. Is it easier to enter hats or weapons in TF2 for submission?

3. I am thinking about building an e-rep as a mini modeler.  Is making cute, simple, yet appropriately detailed accessories a fairly decent task to take on?

4. Should I be original with my ideas or feed Valve with stuff they want?


AAANNDD

I do realize that this journey will be a long and discouraging one.  I am willing to put forth the effort to be a 3D modeler.  Tell me some quick tips if you can, and I am exceedingly grateful for all of this.  Thanks guys.

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[The Corporation]

If you're going for stuff like that, use blender.
It's got a smd file importer/exporter plugin, and once you get the hang of blender, it gets really easy.

And best of all, it's free.

[Volko]

If you're going for stuff like that, use blender.
It's got a smd file importer/exporter plugin, and once you get the hang of blender, it gets really easy.

And best of all, it's free.

Installing now.  Also I here that Google 3D models or whatever the hell it is, it's actually decent.  Is this true?

[Extrude]

The hardest thing out of all the things you listed is getting the god damn models in to TF2. The source engine was NOT designed to import models lol.

But anyway, both modeling programs can export to the format, and can use .vtf textures directly.

wtf you posted fast

It's called Google Sketch-up, and it's incredibly easily to use, plus it can export to any format you want as long as you have the free plugin.

[The Corporation]

Installing now.  Also I here that Google 3D models or whatever the hell it is, it's actually decent.  Is this true?

Sketchup?
I tried it myself, it's pretty good, you've got a 3D model warehouse along with plenty of google training videos, but I don't remember google being able to do some of the stuff blender can do.
Sketchup was meant more for architecture and what not.


And what extrude said, it is pretty easy to use, but I don't know about the feature comparison.

[Extrude]

Sketch-Up is much better for Blockland, and probably horrible for any other type of game that requires complex shading or textures.

[jinkazma903]

If you choose to model in blender in hopes to make a decent addon you should

-learn how to animate such as rigging and such

-uv mapping which will go along with every other modeling you take on

-refined modeling skills practice before you put something out I look back to when I thought some of my models were good and they are complete stuff to me


There's a big resource of tutorials someone had gathered up try looking for it here it's really helpful

Good luck

[Volko]

Thanks.  Just richarded around in Sketchup for around 40 minutes.  Testing out some various texture imports as well.




Let me know what you guys think.

[Böltster]

blender is harder than most other programs to get into, but they have a really good toolset once you're adjusted to the workflow

[300spartan]

I literally just tried to take this on, but with a modeling TEAHCER. Wow. Hard to get the right stuff. "Well, to model, you need to get Maya (something like $500+) and around 2-4 years on it and a degree in Maya!"

Yeaahhh, no. I'm not going to take on professional modeling.

So maybe you could post some progress and tips? We're all at your level, ambitious but not actually haven taken on add-on developing. It would be great.
(and also partly because I hate blender's interface and am trying to understand it :x)

[jinkazma903]

I literally just tried to take this on, but with a modeling TEAHCER. Wow. Hard to get the right stuff. "Well, to model, you need to get Maya (something like $500+) and around 2-4 years on it and a degree in Maya!"

Yeaahhh, no. I'm not going to take on professional modeling.

So maybe you could post some progress and tips? We're all at your level, ambitious but not actually haven taken on add-on developing. It would be great.
(and also partly because I hate blender's interface and am trying to understand it :x)

or you could just make a student account and get it for free plus you don't really need maya to get into professional modeling and make something decent of yourself

[300spartan]

or you could just make a student account and get it for free plus you don't really need maya to get into professional modeling and make something decent of yourself

Cool.

My "teacher" (he we were deciding whether him or not) said that Maya was really the only program for professional modeling. I guess not.

(blender is a stuffforget of stuff that I can't seem to understand, not really that geared towards it)

[heedicalking]

blender is growing rapidly in professional use. most people doubt it because it doesn't cost a ton of money like the other programs do. make a bunch of cool stuff in blender! if you ever want to join something, i'm sure if you made cool stuff they would be impressed and it would help!

[Filipe]

For blockland models, I recommend Milkshape 3D, it's easy to learn, and with TF2, use Blender