I am looking to purchase a 3d modeler. Currently I use wings 3d( a freebie that is easy to use, but has a number of limitations). I also have Vue Esprit and Xara Xtreme and Paint Shop Pro X. I have heard a lot about Carrara's relatively easy learning curve. Wondering if any users out there might comment on the learning curve. I have tried Blender(hey, it's free) but decided I liked my sanity. Blender can do alot, but the user interface is significantly user Unfriendly. I'm not looking to make the next Jurasic Park, just something that I can make a variety of 3d models in. Any comments are welcome.

Graphic Observations: Many problems can be solved by reading the manual Not all answers are equal Some problems don't need answers

If you liked using Wings, you might want to try the demos of Silo or Hexagon. Both are simular to Wings but more powerful at a good price.

I've looked at and liked Silo, Carrara just has a much better feature set. Really wondering how difficult is it to learn?

Graphic Observations: Many problems can be solved by reading the manual Not all answers are equal Some problems don't need answers

Can't say why but i have Hex, Silo and Carrara and like Carrara best. This might well be because I've owned Carrara since version 1 and only bought Hex and Silo recently.. but, while I like those models for several things and really like Hex's UVmapping features (and those of the Silo 2 demo even more) I just find Carrara's work flow more familiar and easier. Also the fact that Carrara interfaces so well with Poser (up to version 6 anyway) and has it's own substantial animation tools and a kick ass renderer, I find it a decent general service studio for the beginner.

mike

 

Attached Link: Free Carrara Tutorials

I've got some freebie tutorials about Carrara. Check 'em out and see if they help. http://www.markbremmer.com/pages/TutMain.html

Mark, a quick comment on your tutorials. They are great! Keep up the excellent work. And the free ones convinced me to buy Carrara. I'll be signing up for your others after I go through all the free stuff you offer. At that price it's a steal.

 And thank you to beryld and trav too. I appreciate your comments and as I have Poser 6, Carrara seems to be a logical step up from what I have been using.

Well it's off to buy Carrara, thanks again to all.

Graphic Observations: Many problems can be solved by reading the manual Not all answers are equal Some problems don't need answers

Thanks for the kind words. Just post back with any questions as you get into Carrara. Mark

I love Carrara although I haven't used it much since I switched to C4D. Carrara is actually better at somethings but I wanted the expanded capabilities of C4D although I must admit, I haven't gotten around to learning a lot of the more intensive modules yet. Although for the power you get, the learning curve isn't nearly as bad for C4D as it could be. Carrara is a really feature packed program, especially for the cost. Physics, character animation, great renderer, built in fractal terrain, instance on an object animation, poser integration, and the list goes on. Silo is also a great application. Currently, as you know, it's strictly a modeling program. I'd suggest that you get a trial version of Carrara (at least I think there is such a thing) and play around with it a little. You really can't go wrong with Carrara Pro if you want a feature rich 3D application without shelling out $3000 bucks for it. I'd also get Silo as a companion to Carrara. I prefer subdivision modeling with Silo to Carrara but admittedly, I haven't played around much with the new subdivision modeler in the latest version of Carrara. Actually, I used Carrara's spline modeling much more than it's poly modeler. For what it does and ease of use, Silo is almost embarrassingly cheap. I have a feeling as it matures a little it won't stay that way, might as well get in on it now. Just keep in mind that Silo 2 is still in beta. It seems like it won't be long 'till it is released for the PC. Mac folks have to wait a little longer. I'm not sure if I can continue to buy future upgrades of Carrara and C4D, but if I can, I'll keep Carrara. To recap: I'd get Carrara Pro and Silo