what is the best animation software to animate my ac3d models?
Not used it but it's free and can produce some impressive results, CharacterFX ...
http://www.insanesoftware.de/
Cheers,
Ian
Though I own a copy of AC3D I very rarely use it as I found at it's better to use the more professional tools to get good results quickly. I actually use four tools Cinema4D R11.5 XL(may switch over to 3D Studio Max in the near future),ZBrush 4,Photoshop CS4 Extended and UVLayout Pro 2.06. Each of these have there own uses.
To answer your question: it depends on what you are most comfortable using but you have to remember not all tools will work well together (file format incompatibilities etc.). If your looking for something cheap have a look at Fragmotion (http://www.fragmosoft.com/ (http://www.fragmosoft.com/)) but if you want something that's free and have the time to learn it's quirky interface then I would use blender (http://www.blender.org/ (http://www.blender.org/)) which is a mid-range modelling/animation/UV editing package.
Character FX is now freeware
from the website
QuoteIn the past, CharacterFX used to be Shareware, which means in order to continue to use it after a trial period one had to purchase a license. If CharacterFX asks you to register, you can use the following registration key to continue using it free of charge:
I have not posted the key but it is on the download webpage on their site
...and a tiny little CFX tutorial to get you started, http://www.psionic.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/tutorials/lowpoly/zanim.html
what format does characterfx export to? I'm currently struggling with the Blender export filter for 2.55beta. They changed the API - again. :/
I hope I can provide an update soon, since Blender, once you got the grip, is by far the best freeware program you can get. It really competes against Maya and 3D Max.
From the CFX website...
QuoteAnimation
* skeletal animation with key frames
* dope sheet editor that visualises key frames and allows you to drag keys around
* easy to use forward and inverse kinemartics system - nearly no special setup required
* weighted vertices for smooth skin bending
File Formats
* imports WaveFront OBJ, MilkShape3D ASCII, Autodesk 3DS
* exports WaveFront OBJ, MilkShape3D ASCII, Autodesk 3DS, Nebula N/N3D, DirectX X (v7 and v8), Quake2 MD2, BlitzBasic B3D
* you can add you own with the SDK - see below
Viewports
* support for all the standard parallel and perspective projections
* any number of viewports
* OpenGL accelerated
* fully customiseable
SDK and Plugins
* integrated scripting language ( LUA ), giving you access to all scene objects at runtime
* add support for your own file formats
* extent the functionality of CharacterFX
* automate CharacterFX
Miscellaneous
* configurable undo
Its no longer in development AFAIK and is a little quirky but its got one lovely feature, it has support for physics within the animation. So if you animate a character, for example, with a long beard and turn his head, the beard, as long as it has bones can be made to sway naturally and automatically within the animation. Its probably a very common feature within animators of this type but it certainly impressed me to see it in a free program.
Cheers,
Ian
Well, for 3D models I use for 16 years ago, 3D Max, Cinema 4D and now I stay learnig LigthWave(is vey intuitive and very faster make something).
Well I think use professional tools, is well, but "not professional" (is in quotes, not for not be professional, for his price). In example, I now use Silo, from Nevercenter Software, the most quick and powerfull modeler I use in all my time own 3d Graphics designer, it´s only 120$. Have another how Hexagon, equal, I think make something is a little more slow, because have more tools, for paint and sculpt(silo can be do this, too).
For Sculpt, and paint too much people speak about Zbrush, is a tool what I use a little, and is very powerfull, but you need too much time for learnig, the interface is a little complex in a first look, but after is easy. Well if you don´t want complicate the live ehit zBrush, have MudBox, from Autodesk very easy, and makes the same. The trouble of both software, they are very expensive.
I found some days ago, a Sculpt Modeler, called Coat 3D, this is very compatible, whit lightwave, but is for me, better than Zbrush and MudBox, is very easy, and for texturing works, more better and quickly than Phothop or BodyPaint from Maxon, and have utilities very impresive how works whit primitives and cut how do you want, make a complex model whit primitives is too much easy. Another goal, is when you export to 3d mesh, it have a Polygon reducer, faster and very funcitional, reduce a long amount a mesh, and you can use for real time, don´t have to use another tool or plugin.
For animation, 3D Max, have a grats tools, how is Characte Studio and in the last verion, have Cat(Charcater animation toolkit), this last, is very intuitive, and make walks-cycles, in a "couple" of mouse clicks.
Another very proffesional tool for animate is Messiah, and another from AUtodesk called... uhmm I don´t remenber well, but I think are comples.
For cinema 4d, I do a turn around in Internet and I found a company is devolping a similicar CAT for Cinema 4d.
Daz have a animation tool, I don´t try, but I think is very easy, and in a couple of clicks you have you model animated
For resume, and my perspective,
Some years, ago, yes some tools are better than other, at today tools very cheaper make thing more greater than a expensive software, in example Blender, free and very very powerfull.
Well this is my explanation, I hope no been too much bored.
Kinds Regards,
Iván J.