# Program for making custom environments and structures

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/program-for-making-custom-environments-and-structures/641473>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [November 19, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/program-for-making-custom-environments-and-structures/641473 "2012-11-19T04:39:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/program-for-making-custom-environments-and-structures/641473/1 "2012-11-19T04:39:57Z")

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Occasionally I like to create plans for things - my bedroom to decide on furniture arrangements, or maps from fictional novels or TV shows for fun. I typically do them in 2D in Illustrator because that’s what Im familiar with, but I’d like to try my hand at doing it in 3D.

The reason this is in the game forum is because I believe there are ways to create your own levels in certain FPS games that might serve as a good way to accomplish this. Has anyone done this? Is it a good solution and do you have any recommendations?

I’m also open to other good programs. If possible, I’m looking for the following features:

- easy to use
- free or inexpensive
- ability to modify measurements by number, not just by mouse
- ability to use 2D image template for “tracing” help
- basic terrain

I’ve ruled already the following:

- SketchUp has a pretty innovative interface, but I find it difficult to use in practice
- SecondLife is expensive to buy space
- Mineworld is too blocky

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![ExcitedIdiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ea5d25/32.png) [@ExcitedIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExcitedIdiot)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/program-for-making-custom-environments-and-structures/641473/2 "2012-11-19T13:30:23Z")

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I’ve used Sweet Home 3D to help layout furniture. It works pretty well and it’s free.

> **[Sweet Home 3D - Draw floor plans and arrange furniture freely](http://www.sweethome3d.com/index.jsp)**
>
> Free interior design software. Draw the plan of your home or office, test furniture layouts and visit the results in 3D.

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**Author:** ![BunnyTVS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BunnyTVS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyTVS)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/program-for-making-custom-environments-and-structures/641473/3 "2012-11-19T14:53:38Z")

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Question: Do you just want to model these locations, or do you want to be able to navigate through them in a first/third person view?

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**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/program-for-making-custom-environments-and-structures/641473/4 "2012-11-19T15:20:43Z")

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I’ve been trying to learn [CryEngine 3 SDK](http://www.crydev.net/dm_eds/download_detail.php?id=4), which CryTek has released free of charge for non-commercial purposes. It’s pretty nice.

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**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/program-for-making-custom-environments-and-structures/641473/5 "2012-11-19T18:08:53Z")

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> [@BunnyTVS](#):
>
> Question: Do you just want to model these locations, or do you want to be able to navigate through them in a first/third person view?

Modeling is sufficient, but navigating would be a cool bonus.

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**Author:** ![BunnyTVS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BunnyTVS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyTVS)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/program-for-making-custom-environments-and-structures/641473/6 "2012-11-19T19:06:36Z")

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> [@jackdavinci](#):
>
> Modeling is sufficient, but navigating would be a cool bonus.

Then I would start by looking at something like [Blender](http://www.blender.org/). It’s an open source 3d modelling and rendering package. It’s very powerful but can have a steep learning curve.

Another similar package is [Hexagon.](http://www.daz3d.com/products/hexagon/hexagon-what-is-hexagon) It’s not quite as powerful as Blender, mainly due to it not having had an update in forever. One advantage is that it is a bit more integrated with [Bryce.](http://www.daz3d.com/products/bryce/bryce-what-is-bryce) This is a package designed for creating and rendering landscapes.

In a similar vein to Bryce is [Vue 3d](http://www.e-onsoftware.com/products/vue/vue_pioneer/). This is primarily a pay-for package but there is a free cut-down version at the link.