Can some of you provide me with an overview of 3D creation and rendering software? I'm not so much interested in seeing one title compared to another. Rather, what is going on with cheap/free products vs expensive products?
I see that there are several free or inexpensive 3D apps such as Blender, Cheetah, Kerkythea, etc. vs. fairly expensive apps such as Rhino 3D and Keyshot.
Broadly speaking, what is going on? What do you buy when you spend thousands of dollars for software vs. the free or cheap software? What are the tradeoffs? Is it mostly support and training? Speed? Size of the drawing? Clever tools?
Thanks
PS: Follow on question. Can almost any 3D program export to the COLLADA format needed by iBooks Author?
I see that there are several free or inexpensive 3D apps such as Blender, Cheetah, Kerkythea, etc. vs. fairly expensive apps such as Rhino 3D and Keyshot.
Broadly speaking, what is going on? What do you buy when you spend thousands of dollars for software vs. the free or cheap software? What are the tradeoffs? Is it mostly support and training? Speed? Size of the drawing? Clever tools?
Thanks
PS: Follow on question. Can almost any 3D program export to the COLLADA format needed by iBooks Author?