Hi,



I am looking for a simple application which would allow me to draw 3D solids
and other geometric figures by entering numerical parameters for angles,
curves, distances and so forth. Also, I would like be able to arrange 3D
objects precisely in space. An animation capability would be a definite
plus as well. Does such a program exist? BTW, I am running WXP
Professional.



Thanx in advance,



Andre

AW wrote:
have you tried Google's SketchUp, or maybe try 3ds
Max. What type of 3d objects are you trying to model?

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"AW" <one_at_large@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:tQSqg.166398$F_3.59809@newssvr29.news.prodigy .net...
just enjoy the 3d modeling. Kind of an interesting project, but it is
pretty involved. There is a programming language associated with it so it
is not really simple. If you are interested, visit http://povray.org

Sfj

On Thu, 6 Jul 2006 12:31:59 -0500, "Sfj" <shermanfj@yahoo.com> wrote:

Povray is usually just used as a renderer for another piece of
software with an "easier" to use interface, like LDraw/MLCAD. You do
the base construction there and then render in POVRAY...you probably
don't want LDraw/MLCAD though, it's for Lego model making.

--

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Onideus Mad Hatter wrote:
PovRay isn't that hard to use... If you're *smart*. Anyway, the OP said
"by entering numerical parameters for angles, curves, distances and so
forth," which is basically all PovRay *is*. You have to learn a bit of
the PovRay code to define types of shapes, but if you're comfortable
with the concepts involved in 3D space, it's really not too challenging
to create cubes and cones and stuff like that.

As Hatter said, PovRay has been used as a renderer for other programs'
output, so its actual rendering capability is nothing to be laughed at.
It's a "raytracing" renderer, which means that its handling of light and
shadows is extremely accurate. Some rendering software will give you an
option for raytracing versus shadow mapping, which is a lot faster to
render, often gives a softer result, and is less physically accurate.

If PovRay can take CAD output, I might recommend AutoCAD LT (LapTop),
which is basically a slimmed down, *excruciatingly* simple version of
the AutoCAD system, and it does have a "command window" at the bottom
that will let you enter numeric parameters for all of its basic
functions (like chamfer, etc.).

PovRay is free, however, and AutoCAD LT certainly is not.

There's also 3D Studio MAX, which is fairly expensive and probably *far*
more complicated than what you require, but I was able to teach myself
the fundamentals of its use without any help; it's very straightforward.
Lightwave is, also. Perhaps moreso. Both are incredibly simpler than
Maya.

--
Aaron

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