TGJ2O_3d-intro

include component="page" wikiName="jmcintyre" page="course_tabs_header" include component="page" page="menu_tgj2o_3d" =What is 3D modeling?=

3D models represent a 3D object using a collection of points in 3D space, connected by various geometric entities such as triangles, lines, curved surfaces, etc. Being a collection of data (points and other information), 3D models can be created by hand, algorithmically (procedural modeling ), or scanned. 3D models are widely used anywhere in 3D graphics. Actually, their use predates the widespread use of 3D graphics on personal computers. Many computer games used pre-rendered images of 3D models as sprites before computers could render them in real-time.

Today, 3D models are used in a wide variety of fields. The medical industry uses detailed models of organs. The movie industry uses them as characters and objects for animated and real-life motion pictures. The video game industry uses them as assets for computer and video games. The science sector uses them as highly detailed models of chemical compounds. The architecture industry uses them to demonstrate proposed buildings and landscapes through Software Architectural Models.

// [taken from Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_modeling] //

Various programs used for 3D modeling in the animation and graphic design include [|Blender] (free), [|Maya] ([|Maya gallery]), [|Massive], and [|3DsMax].

There are plenty of 3D communities out there, go explore!