3D modeling for programmers

Question

I'm studying Computer Graphics as part of my curriculum at my university. The course focuses on scene modeling, rather than rendering or other aspects of computer graphics. We're learning the math behind it and OpenSceneGraph to actually run something.

As part of the HW, and also out of sheer interest, I need to create a 3D model, and I have artistic freedom in this regard. I also have freedom to model it directly in code, or load a model I do in a tool of my choosing.

The problem is, I'm not good in the visual art - I have lots of good ideas, but no clue how to model them. I can't draw or sketch well, either. But, I want to be able to do CG.

How would you suggest I approach 3D modeling?

Thanks,
Asaf

EDIT: Some people have down voted this (w/o leaving a comment). Let me emphasize - I'm a programmer, and I want to get familiar with an art that is adjacent to ours. Make no mistake, it is a programming relevant question.

EDIT 2: Thanks for all who answered. I'll choose my accepted answer after I look at the alternatives you suggested. I apologize for the (expected) delay.

Conclusion:

• I have decided to look into Blender. I'm looking into some of its video tutorials mentioned by Ruben Steins.
  Thanks Ruben.
• I did take a quick peek at MilkShape 3D and will use it if I see Blender is too much for my needs, or my current learning "budget" (time, attention).
  Thanks m3rLinEz.
• After I learn some basic skills, I intend to follow Mastermind's advice.
  Thank you Mastermind.
• When I've done some 3D art, and am ready to improve my skills, I'm going to visit the places fa. had posted.
  Thank you too, fa.

Thanks to all those who took time to reply, and all those who were open minded enough not to downvote a programming, but not code, related question.

Solution 1

1. Download Blender
2. View the video tutorials or read this online tutorial
3. Use the osgExport for Blender to get your models into OSG

If you want a really cool model, this process will take some time, but you should be able to get a quicky model within a week or so.

Solution 2

Unfortunately people are really voting down design-related questions on this site, I do not know for what reason. So I vote you up.

Design is a very important thing, I can only feel sorry for those who wish to enclose themselves in code not leaving any space for style and beauty.

I can absolutely recommend 3ds max to you. It has (or at least had a few years ago) very good tutorials shipped with it so you can learn how to move things around.

General advice would be to visit pages related to 2D and 3D design but it would be too abstract. So I have a following suggestion. Think of what you would like to design. First - WHAT. Then try to do it. Along the path you will have specific questions on how to achieve a particular effect. You will ask them on relevant resources or dig the answers yourself. With time you will be getting skills knowledge, and after at least a few months you will likely/hopefully develop a feeling on how to do these things, what is good or what is not.

Everything about art and design takes time. Much time. And much passion.

Good luck!

Solution 3

I recommend Google Sketchup and MilkShape 3D (commercial, but at very low price for this kind of SW). I also has experience with Blender before, which I think is the hardest to learn from the three SWs I suggest.

Another concern you need to consider is the data format exported from the modeling software. Since you mentioned about doing the "math" yourself, you must find a modeling tool that export a format where you can easily access the vertices data.

Both Google Sketchup and Milkshape 3D come with great documentations (Blender too, of course). Sketup even has video tutorials on their website and Milkshape 3D allow me to model a simple robot in very short time. But if you want more advanced modeling features than these tools might not suited you.

Solution 4

I found Wing3d is the easiest to use. BLender has the most functionality.

And interesting one is Albatross 3D. It is simple too but Wing3d is easiest to use.

Solution 5

3D modeling is a hard stuff and don't let it overwhelm you. Instead you should let someone more suitable do the modeling. There are tons of models for free. Search and use them before spending hours and days for a lousy dinosaur. And even though you model it, you will need to implement scenes, bones, material, etc. If you are more in to programming, trying to making it move around obstacles will be much more fun.

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