# How does one dabble in 3-D animation?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-dabble-in-3-d-animation/262721>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [September 2, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-dabble-in-3-d-animation/262721 "2004-09-02T04:39:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-dabble-in-3-d-animation/262721/1 "2004-09-02T04:39:07Z")

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This is inspired by the new animation shots for World of Warcraft.

I want to see if I could have some aptitude for 3-D computer animation. I want to play, to try it out, see how it fits, see if I like it.

Are there programs (like Garageband for mixing or IMovie for editing, simple but functional) that would allow me to use some 3D tools and see if I have any talent for it?

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**Author:** ![wheelie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b4bc9f/32.png) [@wheelie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheelie)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-dabble-in-3-d-animation/262721/2 "2004-09-02T04:53:23Z")

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You might try [Blender](http://www.blender3d.org).  
I’ve been meaning to check it out myself, but haven’t had the time lately.  
Free, open-source, multi-platform. What’s not to like ;j .

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**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-dabble-in-3-d-animation/262721/3 "2004-09-02T04:57:32Z")

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How cool are you!

That is so awesome!

I want to add a corollary to my OP.

Anyone out there doing 3D animation? Tell me all about it.

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**Author:** ![sweepkick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-dabble-in-3-d-animation/262721/4 "2004-09-02T04:57:40Z")

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Check out [Pov-ray](http://www.povray.org) and [Blender](http://www.blender3d.com/).

HTH,

-sweep

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**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-dabble-in-3-d-animation/262721/5 "2004-09-02T05:43:12Z")

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You want some real programs  
just kidding  
Here are some full-featured trial versions of state-of-the-art programs to help you out…

[Softimage XSI v3 EXP](http://www.softimage.com/products/exp/v3/)  
[Maya v6 PLE](http://www.alias.com/eng/products-services/maya/maya_ple/index.shtml)  
[gmax](http://www4.discreet.com/gmax/)  
[3dsmax v7 trial](http://www4.discreet.com/3dsmax/3dsmax.php?id=403)  
[Cinema4D v8 Demo](http://www.maxon.net/index_e.html)

Hang out at [CGTalk](http://www.cgtalk.com), especially the tutorial and game forums. [3DBuzz](http://www.3dbuzz.com/) has free training videos.

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**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-dabble-in-3-d-animation/262721/6 "2004-09-02T16:06:27Z")

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I never expected so many replies.

OS X just moved WAY up on my “must get” list.