Hello all;
Yes, my original posting was incomplete. I did that to see what sort of response I would get.
Well, I six of them so I'll be more thorough this time.
1) Blender is a standalone freeware 3D graphics object creation and animation program that includes texturing, etc. It is not a windows application. Functions are executed by using the keyboard and number pad strokes. This is not an intuitive environment. Being freeware, the information available is created by others and unfortunately, it usually is above the heads of those who have no previous experience. Nevertheless, once learned, there is an abundance of material available both at the Blender website and in the Wikipedia environment. Blender is constantly improved but it still lacks Boolean Ngon functions. There is an ongoing argument whether or not Blender is better than 3Ds Max. Blender is free and 3Ds Max costs over $3000.00!
2) Python is the name of a software application that creates scripts which are used to enhance Blender capabilities. Some scripts are included in the Blender package and others are available at the Blender and many other websites. This application has to be downloaded to make the Blender scripts functional.
3) The third piece of this package is the XML based exporting of Blender objects into Trainz 2009. At present, this is still in development. This will open the door to many other content creation packages and there are many out there.
4) As it stands right now the Gmax based Content Creation Pack will still be a viable alternative.
I'm not an expert by any means but my graphics experience includes:
Gmax
3DCanvas
Blender
All of these packages have their good and bad points.
So, I hope that I've given enough meat on this subject and I suggest that all those interested in 2009 should read the relevant posts at this forum and pay visits to the 2009 site and the 2009 Development site.
Such is the nature of progress.
TRS2009 promises to be a big step forward and I'm looking forward to owning my copy of this coming generational leap.
My favorite is still TRS2004.
And with that, cheers to all!
srude
Yes, my original posting was incomplete. I did that to see what sort of response I would get.
Well, I six of them so I'll be more thorough this time.
1) Blender is a standalone freeware 3D graphics object creation and animation program that includes texturing, etc. It is not a windows application. Functions are executed by using the keyboard and number pad strokes. This is not an intuitive environment. Being freeware, the information available is created by others and unfortunately, it usually is above the heads of those who have no previous experience. Nevertheless, once learned, there is an abundance of material available both at the Blender website and in the Wikipedia environment. Blender is constantly improved but it still lacks Boolean Ngon functions. There is an ongoing argument whether or not Blender is better than 3Ds Max. Blender is free and 3Ds Max costs over $3000.00!
2) Python is the name of a software application that creates scripts which are used to enhance Blender capabilities. Some scripts are included in the Blender package and others are available at the Blender and many other websites. This application has to be downloaded to make the Blender scripts functional.
3) The third piece of this package is the XML based exporting of Blender objects into Trainz 2009. At present, this is still in development. This will open the door to many other content creation packages and there are many out there.
4) As it stands right now the Gmax based Content Creation Pack will still be a viable alternative.
I'm not an expert by any means but my graphics experience includes:
Gmax
3DCanvas
Blender
All of these packages have their good and bad points.
So, I hope that I've given enough meat on this subject and I suggest that all those interested in 2009 should read the relevant posts at this forum and pay visits to the 2009 site and the 2009 Development site.
Such is the nature of progress.
TRS2009 promises to be a big step forward and I'm looking forward to owning my copy of this coming generational leap.
My favorite is still TRS2004.
And with that, cheers to all!
srude