Ken Brilliant used symmeterical to make a complete base model then he used other tool to make it imperfect. Geez.

If only I could master the skill of tolerance just as you have.

Frankly, just in the few threads that I've read through here in the Carrara forum -- I've seen so much griping stemming from the subject of 'symmetrical modeling' that it makes me want to oppose its inclusion in Carrara merely on general principles........and I don't even own Carrara.

As for Vue and indoor scenes: I've just had difficulty getting excellent results along the way. Ah, well -- my own lack of serious skill with the program might be the underlying explanation. I'm a 3D dabbler. It's something that I do in my spare time -- a hobby. And my 'spare time' tends to be limited these days.

The images in the Carrara gallery are a mixed bag. Those aficionados with skill and/or talent can produce wonderful images. Beginners and the less talented produce......good-to-fair images.

Sounds a lot like Poser.

Carrara isn't Lightwave. But it shows promise.

I'm looking at Lightwave, too. And have been for a while now. Out of all of the apps that I've researched, Lightwave seems to have the 'realistic render' thing down out of the box.

We'll see. I'll have to think about it.

Shonner,

No, you have alot of more tolerance than me in modeling with one sided model. You must have a lot of time doing it. It should be painful and time consuming, it is sick thing to do. I dont want to wake up in my dream, seeing everything in halves. ;)

Message edited on: 01/19/2006 23:39

Attached Link: http://www.digitalcarversguild.com/

I have some peach halves to spare, anybody want some? :)

@ SHONNER --

Thank you very much for the link. Another thing that I need to check out.

I appreciate the help.

BTW - from what I've seen, certain high-end apps like 3DS require special (and expensive) add-ons to render well. By contrast, Lightwave has a superior rendering engine out of the box.

But I'm still looking at Carrara.

I am still looking at Carrara too. I hope that Evoia will add symmeterical modeling plug in for Carrara's modeling room to make it a complete and useful application. I would hate to wait for the next version for this essential modeling tool. In my opinion Carrara is one step closer to high-end with the big boys. Carrara's renderer is very impressive and fast. I don't know very much about the Mental-Ray but I heard that it is the only true photon renderer engine with most of calculations that existed for 3D application. I wouldn't look into MentalRay because I think I am happy with Carrara's renderer for my project.

I use Carrara just for rendering. I model in Amapi Pro or Hexagon because they are what I learned to model in. I've never modeled anything in Carrara. If you can get Hexagon + Carrara Pro for cheaper than Lightwave, I'd say you got yourself the best bang for the buck.

I you plan to do 3D for TV or movie, Lightwave is a good start (used for Battlestar Galactica and other shows) along with Cinema 4D, and XSI. If you plan to work with a bigger budget, of course get 3DS or Maya.

Carrara keeps my art hobby interesting. Products I consider below Carrara are trueSpace, Bryce, Poser/DAZ, Vue, Shade. Amapi Pro is equal to Rhino3D. Hexagon is equal to Silo3D. Then there are ZBrush and modo floating out there. I have ZBrush and Vue 5 Infinite, too. No I don't need anymore 3D apps.

Message edited on: 01/20/2006 00:51

zbrush looks very interesting...will have to check it out at some point.From what i have seen LW has it's pluses and they have a nice group here btw, but it's still a bit rich and the limited undo I would find very annoying.Very odd why they still don't have a demo online.

I'm waiting to see what Lightwave looks like when 9.5 is out and has the new core fully running under its hood. Silo will have a decent core update around summer. More ZBrush like. But then ZBrush will have its update out, too. And modo will have it's next update this fall (it's got a big one coming out next month). So many cool ways to model now. So little time to use them all.

Yeah those may be nice and real working applications. I want them all but it can be so annoying with import/export for every object expecially with little ones. ZBrush is a real benefit for modellers to spend some detail work on it with either polygons or texture maps. It has symmeterical modeling tool. I could make a character within minutes with joints already made and connected with skinning. I am keeping it with any other 3D application that I may need to use it with. Lightwave may be real benefit but the interface seem to be very annoying, may require learning curve, and may require alot of my time & patience to get things done with it. Carrara got me tempted and took my attention away from lightwave. If Eovia implement one more tool that I need for me to be able to make base models, I would be happy to use Carrara to make a complete scene. It need symmeeterical modeling tool DAMN IT!!

I want to add that ZBrush + Carrara is the best thing to own. Hexagon urggh it is just polygon modeling that could have been implemented in Carrara core. Carrara already have modeling room so why bother to have Hexagon as external modeling application? I could spend $99 or $150 to buy Hexagon but I am never in mood to switch applications everytime for little things. I rather to model little things in Carrara and keep everything in a CAR file. I could still use ZBrush for polygon modeling with symmeterical tool and would not buy Hexagon as a 3rd hand. BTW Hexagon is slower than ZBrush in modeling. My 2 cents

Attached Link: http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?p=243251#post243251

Unfortunately, I will have to wait to buy anything else. It does get expensive.I have to get some time in w/ the tools I have. I got hex because it was easier to model in than carrara and I could afford it. I would have no problem w/ it being integrated however,some might.I would lose no sleep over one less thing to import or export, but things are moving forward. Also for a beginner modeller a simpler interface may help. The painterly hands on appeals to me with zbrush...how easy or intuitive it is I don't know I will need to try the demo.I am more comfortable with a painterly fluid approach.

Thanks for all the helpful advise, people. I got Carrara 5. God Bless you all.