3D Modelling

Chunks

Hi, I'm completely new to 3D design and i need to design a 3D hand as close to human likeness as I can. I don't know anything about modelling.

Can anyone help me out? Programs to use......3D studio max, how to go about modelling etc...

Thanks in advance
Chunks

Furp

3D modelling is a huge area.

3DS Max is great but so is Maya, Softimage XSI, Rhino, if you are new to this all these packages cost €€€€'s.

Depending on what you want to model the hand for you could find one already modelled either free or by paying a fee for one in the appropriate model format.

Here are some links to modelling and 3D websites, that contain models, tutorials, images tips reviews etc.

http://raph.com/3dartists/tutorials/t-3dsmax.html
http://www.3dcafe.com/asp/default.asp
http://www.3dkingdom.org/index.php
http://www.3dluvr.com/content/maxedout.php
http://www.alias.com/eng/index.shtml
http://www.amazing3d.com/services/modeling.html
http://www.awn.com/
http://www.cgarchitect.com/
http://www.fakespace.com/
http://mrl.nyu.edu/~perlin/
http://www.planit3d.com/index.htm
http://www.scifi-meshes.com/
http://www.scottonstott.com/
http://www.splutterfish.com/sf/
http://www.the3dstudio.com/
http://www.render-art.com/
http://www.vizdepot.com/
http://www.turbosquid.com/
http://www.3dlinks.com/objects_free.cfm
http://www.cgchannel.com/
http://www.3dm-mc.com/tutorials/

SantaHoe

Originally posted by Chunks
[...]i need to design a 3D hand as close to human likeness as I can.
[...]
I don't know anything about modelling.

Ouch.
You picked a tricky model to start with.
I'd suggest doing as many online tutorials as you can find... there are a lot of straight-forward modeling tutorials over at 3d-cafe (linked by Furp)... look for something along the lines of "how to model a...."

By the way, if money is an issue - you could always use linux, which has some 3D packages that I can't remember the names of. :rolleyes:

Phil_321

Here's a very good tutorial for modelling a hand in Maya.
http://www.antropus.com/english/tutomao1.htm

It's in portuguese but every stage is shown in pictures so you don't need the words.
Blender, Milkshape3d and Anim8tor are some free modelling programs but they aren't nearly as well featured or as efficient as the more expensive apps.

You could try the (free)Maya PLE edition, although there is a watermark on the viewports and renders.

www.cgtalk.com is another good 3D related site.

OSiriS

http://www.3dbuzz.com

Go there and create an account, and you will be able to d/l a few video tutorials right off the bat. If you like what you see spend a couple of weeks browsing the forums regularly (posting isnt necessary) and you will get access to download all of the free video tutorials. Theres hundreds of hours of video there covering most of the major modelling packages, and it is very thorough. They might be a bit big for dial-up though.

Placebo

i once made a head in studio max, started off great, ended up looking like an alien, i should have picked a cartoon background.

just get a front anf left or right pick, set as background trac around front anf the right bits and after that draw a few more vertices and join, well not as easy as that, il get u a tutorial later but its best u use the tutorials given in the manuals first to get the jist of it, due to the fact 3d studio max as Infinite number of buttons !