Good 3D graphics Program

Hello Gents

I stumbled across a great 3D graphics program that is FREE for
download. It was developed for Animation and is therfore
not a "true" CAD program. But it can be used to tech yourself
true 3D drawing and imaging for Nothing. I'm sure once you
finish using this program, you could operate RHINO or another
3D package that requires $1000 investment. Use this program
to see how you like 3D design before you invest thousands.

The program is called blender and can be downloaded from

http://blender.nl

Windows 95/98/NT and Linux versions are BOTH avaliable.
Hardware 3D acceleration (via TNT cards, or any other openGL
card) is supported under windows. Linux can do it, but it
takes more work. The program is small (1-2Meg) and has
amazing features and perfromance for it's size.



The user interface is complex and NOT intuitive
so i suggest you read their
FAQ and dowload the demos. I bought the manual $47 so if
you need any help , just email. Don't give up, most of the
functions are based on keys and you can get used to them
very quickly.


This is a great package for "idea" creation. With a bit of
work you can draw and image to scale and animate the pieces
motion to create a "mini movie" of the mechanical motion.
It allows programed motion (linear + rotary) of each object
so you can edit the motion and see the effect on the 3D
screen.

I am currently designing a steam locomotive in blender. Both
for fun ( the images are reaaly neat) and education (it
shows me detailed valve , piston, and valve gear motion).
It is not "dimensionaly " accurate but is to a rough scale.

BTW they support DXF export ONLY IF you buy ($100) the
C-KEY ( their way of defining a "shareware fee" for some
additional high end features) I may bu y the key if I get
good results!!!

Their next version (2.0) is supposed to support Python ( a
computer language) scripting. This will allow you to command
3D objects via a script language. This includes COLLISON
detection which could be used to write a Tool path around
an object.



Anyone else try blender YET??

dave