(or almost free)
For
free or nearly free 2D software
go here: 
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| Bryce 3D, a landscape generator, is free in Digit Magazine #107 (free meaning in this case, for the price of the magazine ~ $15) Clicking on the bottom (Bryce) image will take you to the official Bryce website. See my own Bryce Gallery here.
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This image will link you to Truespace 4.3, the software with which all you see on this page (with exception of the Blender image) has been done, and can be purchased from the manufacturer, Caligari, for a mere $20. Click on Geoff Hoffman's image of the 'Pit Droids' to go there. I am showing you this, as well as the link to the awesome Blender, modelling and animation package, so you know that cost is not a problem here, only your desire to learn and to have a fun and a creative outlet for your talent. I personally love the intuitive Truespace software, which introduced me to the joy of 3D CG, as you can see from my own Truespace 3 & 4 gallery. Also know this, once you know one 3D package, you will understand the concepts of what 3D computer graphics (CG) and special effects (FX) are all about. Learning another software package after that, is not very difficult. |
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This image will take you to Blender, a free modelling and animation package. |
This rest of this page is dedicated to the very talented 'Mech Master' Ken: KEN wd4k-hsgw@asahi-net.or.jp
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Check this guy out. His work is incredible. He's Japanese and he worked in TrueSpace 3 and 4. Unfortunately, his last images on his website were dated 2002. Nothing new since then. Last I discovered, he is now employed in the CG industry. Small surprise there. Sadly, Master Ken pulled his website. This artist worked with software that can nowadays be had almost free, such as Truespace 4.5 and in my opinion is the living proof of the old saying that "it's not the tools, but the artist". There truly is no substitute for talent, nor for patience and extreme attention to detail. In my opinion, with his great skill, he pushed the capability of Truespace 3 & 4 to the utmost limits. To do work such as this in any modern (and expensive) 3D modelling package would still be an outstanding accomplishment. |
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This
just to give you an idea of the texturing and rendering capabilities of
Truespace 3 (they sell TS 4.5 for $20) |
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Zoo publishing started a downloadable 3D magazine about a year ago.
In it there you may find tutorials for Lightwave, XSI, Max, C4D, Maya, Blender, and more.
More importantly, you will find features about and by experts to share their skills and inspire you.
The full version mag is just $4, and for that small sum well worth a look, IMO.
