Software for animated movies and graphical design

[nocturn]

Hi all

I'm looking for Linux software to do animated videos (think something like Pixar, but less complicated) and 3D graphical design like 3DSMAX and Maya on other platforms.

I'm asking this question on behalf of the graphical designer here in my company because he is considering moving to Ubuntu Linux if the software he needs is supported.

Thanks!

[renzokuken]

Blender is a powerful 3D modelling/animating tool - open source too obviuosly

[nocturn]

Blender is a powerful 3D modelling/animating tool - open source too obviuosly

Does it compare to the other studio tools in interface/functionality?

[nocturn]

Blender is a powerful 3D modelling/animating tool - open source too obviuosly

Just asked our designer and blender seems too light for him. It can do only a fraction of what programs like Maxon cinema can do.
Is there anything better?

[Stochastic]

I know a few people in that business that say blender is what many people use. It supposedly takes a little more of a learning curve, but has all that's needed (or at least compares with the commercial ones). My good friend knows many guys in his studio that run it. But I don't know that world personally so can't really say much more. There are people that have gotten Maya and maybe others to run through Wine too if that's a route your friend is willing to try.

[eye208]

Just asked our designer and blender seems too light for him. It can do only a fraction of what programs like Maxon cinema can do.
Fluid simulation: Not available in Cinema 4D.
Compositing: Not available in Cinema 4D.
Material nodes: Not available in Cinema 4D.
OpenGL game engine: Not available in Cinema 4D.
Python scripting interface: Not available in Cinema 4D.
Video editing: Not available in Cinema 4D.
Sculpt modelling: Not available in Cinema 4D.
Sub-surface scattering: Add-on required.
Ambient occlusion: Add-on required.
Hair, fur, feathers: Add-on required.
Particles: Add-on required.
Soft/rigid body physics: Add-on required.
Character rigging: Add-on required.
Toon shading: Add-on required.

Frankly, calling Blender "too light" is utter nonsense. Maybe your designer is too light for Blender?

By the way, Blender was used to create the short movie "Elephants Dream" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephants_Dream). You can download it here (http://www.elephantsdream.org/).

[nocturn]

Frankly, calling Blender "too light" is utter nonsense. Maybe your designer is too light for Blender?


Take it easy. He doesn't know anything about Linux so he's going on what others say/wrote about it while I do know linux, but I know nothing about movie design. I'll let him check out those movies.

[Stochastic]

eye208: out of curiosity, can you recommend a good blender tutorial? I wouldn't mind getting to know that app a little better myself, and it might help the developers who think it's "too light".

[eye208]

eye208: out of curiosity, can you recommend a good blender tutorial? I wouldn't mind getting to know that app a little better myself, and it might help the developers who think it's "too light".
I don't think there's one big tutorial that explains every aspect of Blender since you could fill several books describing all of its functions in detail. There are however some links on the Blender website to help you get started: http://www.blender.org/education-help/

[SpaceFarm]

There are people that have gotten Maya and maybe others to run through Wine too if that's a route your friend is willing to try.

Maya is native to Linux.