Pros
Comparatively easy to learn for beginners.
Good range of modeling tools.
Ongoing development with exciting new features
Complete package - modeling and animation.
Good integration with POVray for easy rendering
Cons
None that I can think of.
Summary
There are quite a lot of free or cheap 3D programs about. Unfortunately many of these are either difficult to learn (i.e. Blender) or don't contain all the features you need.
3D Crafter has been around for years and is now a very polished program. 9.3 is the latest version but version 10 is now in an advanced beta stage and promises a new modern interface and even more features. The developer is very quick to respond to problems and feature requests too.
Pros
The interface was powerful and it's possible to do a lot of different operations on objects.
Cons
I needed to have very specific calculations for my project and it's not very good with that.
Undo was really finicky so I had to totally start over all the time.
Sort of looked like it was from the 90s, not that there's anything wrong with that, but it felt odd
Summary
I'm trying to build something and need help a) tweaking how it looks because it's time consuming to make a model with cardboard if I need to redo everything multiple times, and b) knowing the lengths and widths of the materials for cutting and angle of placement. It just sort of has a WYSIWYG approach for object editing (which was confusing - didn't seem like anything ever went the way I thought it would). There are a few numerical adjustments, but it's not very intuitive or complete and didn't seem to work like I thought it would. There are no numerical entries for position so I couldn't be sure things were truly placed right next to each other. Also, the units were only meters, centimeters, and feet. I originally wanted to use inches, but had to change to centimeters. I think it'd be good if you weren't trying to build something like a building. It's better for conceptual shapes and things that can be eyeballed instead of measured, I think.
Pros
None that I was ever able to try
Cons
I tried to install and kept getting the 91 error, tried to install with repair, uninstalled and reinstalled, nothing I did would let it work. I would not recommend wasting the time I have trying to get this program to work. Try another program because this one was a waste of a couple hours time just trying to get it to work.
Pros
Fairly compact for a CAD file and simple controls.
Cons
Could not run initially. Error 91 was an incomplete download. Downloaded again and installed with repair option. Welcome screen and start right up.
Summary
Download again and choose repair as your option instead of install.
I'm giving it 4 Stars only because I had to reload program a couple of time before I had a working copy.
Pros
none that I can see
Cons
could not start : error 91 keeps coming. tried whatever they suggested on site and even more. not to avail
Summary
beurk
Pros
simple controls
easy to use interface
enough tools to make a good design
Cons
moving objects around is difficult
takes a while to learn it
Pros
The GUI is essentially functional, but could be brightened up.
The context sensitive help tips however are great when getting started with 3D Crafter. The free version can export to Pov-Ray and then the 3D data can be rendered with Pov-Ray.
Cons
The material editor is very basic and if not, just not enough.
The modelling tools require strong attention, should this 3D software make it at some stage to the store-front.
Summary
The alternative 3D software available (free and ommercial)
make it hard for 3D Crafter Version 8.
Pros
I'm very new to 3D design and find this software VERY EASY to use. The tutorials are fantastic in that it allows you to actually practice using it as you read. i wish other design software I'd downloaded was this easy for a newbie.
Cons
As of yet, there is NOTHING I don't like about 3D Canvas. I'm excited about what I know I will be able to create with it. I'm very happy to have found the software (FREEWARE) here. Thank you for making it available!
Pros
easy to use interface, not overly gaudy or strewn about your desktop
Cons
not very intuitive. The beginner artist is going to find it hard to just jump in and create.
Summary
Its good. though there are better out there most of them will drain your system for all its resources. 3D canvas isnt pretty but its certainly worth the time to learn it.
Pros
Multi-faceted abilites to create 3d models.
Cons
Can't animate. When rendering background, only renders properly on layout mode. On animation, the background covers 1/12 of screen. Doesn't seem to be forum support, since they brought out 8. Its like renting when support isn't continued.
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