Currently I am learning the 3d graphics program 3dsmax while taking graphic design and computer animation at the Anthem Institute in Cherry Hill New Jersey. Learning the preferred program used by game companies to make 3d games is like a dream come true. One thing that is a little disheartening is how much 3DSMAX and other digital graphic programs cost. It seems that to really excel at these programs you need to bathe in their intricacies in school and at home. I have found a some programs that if you do not know about can make your life easier if you are a graphic designer, student or someone who is just trying to learn on their own. I will list some of the main programs that we use at Anthem Institute and then the alternate programs that pretty much do the same thing as the more known programs but are amazingly cheap or believe or not most of the time free!
Main Program
Adobe Photoshop-This program is used in almost every kind of design we do at school and I believe is pretty much the industry standard for manipulation Photos or bitmap images.
alternative program
Gimp- This program is like a blessing from God. This program does almost everything that Photoshop does and even blows away in my opinion Photoshop Elements which is offered by adobe as a cheaper substitute to Photoshop its free. Gimp is almost too good to be true... almost- Download it at://www.gimp.org/
Main Program
Illustrator-I was told once that this is the main program of professional designers and I can believe it considering the beautiful Vector graphics that you can create with this program and its Pen tool.
Alternative Program
Inkscape What Gimp is to Photoshop Inscape is to Illustrator. I was over joyed when I found out that there was a free open source program that was comparable to Adobe
Illustrator. LOVE IT! Download it at http://www.inkscape.org/
Main Program
Flash This is the main 2d animation program that we use at Athem Institute and it is very good at what it does.
Alternative Program
Pencil I have just found this program shortly before I wrote this blog and haven't have much time with it. So far Flash really doesn't have any worthy competitors to it that can
really come close to matching it at much lower or free price in my opinion. Though at least Pencil will let you do some animation with it but little that is in the same league as more intricate Flash animations.
Download it at://www.pencil-animation.org/
Main Program
3dsmax-As I said earlier this is the preferred program used by game companies to make 3d games
Alternative Program-
Blender-I like blender. Its learning curve is much more difficult then 3dsmax. However it is amazing how much you can do with this free program. Also while the interface takes in my opinion a lot more dedication to learn than 3ds max it is amazing how many people are willing to put up tutorials to help people learn how to use blender. I wouldn't say I love Blender but yes I do like it a lot and extremely thankful for the people that make it. For being Free in its own right its extraordinary Download it free at http://www.blender.org/
Let me know if any of these programs help you out.
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