Designing programs

wulf2001 · 11-01-2006, 08:42 PM

anyone know of any good graphic design programs. I mean photoshop is great but lets get real it cant do everything. I need some programs where you can like click on fire and fire is made you know what I mean? Anyone know of any good programs like that? or any photoshop alternatives...

thx

littleFella · 11-01-2006, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wulf2001

I mean photoshop is great but lets get real it cant do everything.

"everything" is a very big word, so of course photoshop won't do everything.
However, when in the hands of an experienced user it will do most tasks expected from a graphics proggie.

What you are looking for are likely plugins to photoshop. They can do a lot of things at a click (or two) of a button (instead of hours of work)

IslaScotts · 11-01-2006, 10:23 PM

nod ndo.. you get get a lot of plug ins for photoshape as well as d/l custom shapes and filters. Just do a search for these things and you can find a lot of good free ones as well as priced ones

wulf2001 · 11-01-2006, 11:51 PM

photoshop seems to be for simple web designs though. I'm branching off into gaming and I need something that can make CRAZY explosions and intense flames. I'm not saying photoshop can't do that but I've seen programs where all you have to do is click and snow appears like magic...

IslaScotts · 11-01-2006, 11:57 PM

well gaming engines are way different than graphic manipulation. And if you think photoshop is simple I think you do not realize what you can manipulate in photoshop. I personally think it is a highly sophisticated program.. especially when you talk about the CS suite as a whole.

I think maybe you should do a search for game graphic design. I know game designers that have worked with disney and such but they were programmers not the graphic designers.

littleFella · 11-02-2006, 09:47 AM

It is always a good idea to use the right tool for the job. Photoshop doesn;t seem like the right one. Why don't you use 3D Studio Max.

IslaScotts · 11-02-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littleFella

It is always a good idea to use the right tool for the job. Photoshop doesn;t seem like the right one. Why don't you use 3D Studio Max.

I used that program once I didn't like it.... am I missing something?

littleFella · 11-02-2006, 01:44 PM

You probably have only a cursory knowledge of the program.

It's a sotware of choice of many professional movie studios and game development companies; some examples: Mission Impossible II, Jurrasic Park, Unreal Tournament etc.

Not your average little picture editor for websites.

IslaScotts · 11-02-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littleFella

You probably have only a cursory knowledge of the program.

It's a sotware of choice of many professional movie studios and game development companies; some examples: Mission Impossible II, Jurrasic Park, Unreal Tournament etc.

Not your average little picture editor for websites.

Umm.. i know it's not a picture editor for websites, I am not ignorant of what programs are for what. I meant more for usability.. I didn't like it. I felt there was a huge learning curve to it. What 3d graphic software would you recommend starting off with. I had several 3d softwares but gave up quickly.

littleFella · 11-02-2006, 01:58 PM

I think the issue is not with a particular software but the subject matter of that software. Hence the steep learning curve. One thing is to be profficient in the general use of windows or another OS, but quite another with a particular sotware package. I can tackle most computer related issues but I won't be of assistance to a CAD designer for instance, because I don't have sufficient knowledge of the architectural terminology, design, processes and business rules. I simply don't know what effect a menu item will have on the project at hand. Gotta click it first and see what happens. Sometimes that too is not enough.

Same with 3D Max, or any other software for that matter. Many titles are not intuitive at all, so unless you're willing to spend countless hours learning various aspects of how they are best used you won;t be happy using them.

IslaScotts · 11-02-2006, 02:15 PM

anyone else want to give a suggestion to what program I should use.. assume I am not ignorant on concepts of 3D design.

littleFella · 11-02-2006, 08:00 PM

There are only a handful of titles worth looking at;

Lightwave 3D
Cinema 4D
3D Studio Max
Strata 3D CX
Maya
SoftImage
FormZ

Since you complained about 3D Max's steep learning curve, Strata 3D CX may be worth looking at.