Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The State of Open Source 3D Modeling

Posted by kdawson on from the first-mover-advantage dept.

gmueckl writes "Since Blender was released as open source in 2002, it has basically owned the open source 3D modeling scene. Its development has seen a massive push by both the community and supporting organizations. However, the program has been showing its age all along and efforts to improve on it have either been blocked or have failed in the past (note the dates). Authors of new modules are forced to jump through hoops to get their work glued onto the basic core, which still dates from the early 90s and has gone almost unchanged since. There are many other active projects out there like Art of illusion, K-3D, and Moonlight|3D. Each of them offers a modern, much saner, more coherent, and more powerful basic architecture and could match Blender in a couple of months' time with some extra manpower. So how come these projects don't get the level of support they deserve? How come developers are still willing to put up with such an arcane code base?"

7 of 267 comments (clear)

  1. because by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    they're stupid...that's why everyone does everything

  2. Level of support by Fyre2012 · · Score: 5, Funny

    So how come these projects don't get the level of support they deserve?

    Because the issue hasn't been posted to the front page of /. until now.

    --
    This is not the greatest .sig in the world, no. This is just a tribute.
    1. Re:Level of support by Yubastard · · Score: 2, Funny

      indeed! I just checked those other apps and I settled on AoI, cuz' of it's simpler interface and my noobiness. blender works great but I tend to be a more visual person and like an interface with buttons and such things... thanx a lot!

  3. It's obvious by dublinclontarf · · Score: 5, Funny

    Blender's UI is the Emacs of the 3D Modelling world, it's got a steep learning curve but when you get it(in the three or so years it'll take), boy will you be marginally productive.

    --
    http://my.telegraph.co.uk/dublinclontarf
    1. Re:It's obvious by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I'm not quite following. Could you use an automobile analogy?

  4. Re:The state of it ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    what does a mp3 encoder have do with this?

  5. Re:How about the state of 3D Parametric Modelling? by Tim+Browse · · Score: 2, Funny

    I third that. The FOSS community is sorely lacking a professional-quality 3d modeller/drafting software.

    Oh sure. Give us a sec to drop everything and get right on that.

    So, I would venture the beginnings of a features list:
    • good vector output (printing and file export)
    • good 3d/2d import-export
    • solid modelling
    • NURBS modelling
    • polygon modelling
    • good fabrication functionality: unfolding/unrolling/sectioning/etc
    • scripting/plug-in framework for extensibility
    • lightweight

    Is this one of those "Pick Two" lists?