How hard is it

[Icewolf717]

Im just curious about how hard is it to make a model, like how many days it will take to make a nice looking weapon, and how long did it take you to be able to make a decent model. I do not make models at all, im just wandering so i might see if i want to start.

 

[Mr-Fusion]

With good reference shots, a few hours to make something pretty decent. A few more days of refining to make it awesome.

For weapons , reference shots are everything for me.

 

[Icewolf717]

hmm, another question, where can I find a tutorial that is for a beginner. That shows what programs you need, and shows how to make a basic model.

 

[Garfield_]

It is exactly as hard as any other thing in the world, sports, musics etc. You decide how hard it is, only you can make it easy/hard. So if you are willing to know modeling, read some about it and try it out. Im sure you'll find it very easy

 

[Garfield_]

hmm, another question, where can I find a tutorial that is for a beginner. That shows what programs you need, and shows how to make a basic model.

Programs you could try are Maya, 3Ds Max or Softimage XSI, they have all a trail version you could try and i think they also have tutorials included in the software.

 

[aydin]

Here is a link for the free XSI Mod Tool: http://www.softimage.com/products/Mod/v4/

and here is a link for the video tutorial made by desty that shows you everything you need to make a Colt 1911: http://www.hl2modcentral.com/tutorial.php?id=27&cat=0

 

[Mr-Fusion]

Polygon modelling is probably the best for modelling guns.

This is a good tutorial (for 3dsmax)
http://www.3dtotal.com/team/Tutorials/polgun/gunmodel.asp

 

[Sir Phoenixx]

It depends on what the model is. It usually takes just me about 2-5 hours for a normal low-medium polygon vehicle/weapon.

 

[Gray Fox]

I don't know if someone has allready made an export tool for it, but blender is by far the best program to start with. It's free, it's powerfull, it's I hear one of the simplest, and unlike with the other programs they have very good tutorials on their homepage, which are very clear, and orderder form beginner to master.
homepage
Tutorials ( see how orderly and clear it is, the professional program dev shoudl really take a hint from that)

 

[Mikademius]

I'd say about 56% hard

 

[archvilell]

Aydin has the key infor if you want to start with XSI. I knew nothing about XSI ahve have successfully modeling 2 cool-looking guns (a Beretta and and Mini-14, and half done with a Browning .50cal). I definitly prefer XSI to MAX, ar Maya, but it's all personal preference.

As for the time, it usually takes me a week or so to go from start to finish, but that's because I'm slow and a perfectionist. That and I get interupted a lot and can only work on it in small sections.

-Archvilell

 

[Dario D.]

Modeling = half a day if you have a good concept and a difficult weapon model to make. Less for easy models.

Unwrapping = 1 hour, if you work pretty fast with 3dsmax's UVW Unwrap

Painting = 1-2 whole days for a very detailed weapon model. Less for simpler models. Depends on how good you want the final skin to be.

http://www.deefrag.com/images/ut/gunreal_images/G_Miniguns_A.jpg

Each one of these guns took anywhere from 2 to 6 days to make. Painting is always the longest and ultimately decides how good the weapon will be. Take painting very seriously and you'll get 5x the final quality of a rush job.

And to answer your original question, it's pretty easy once you know how to do it. It's not hard; just takes some time and a lot of energy. You may feel like taking a vacation after making an entire weapon.

 

[Aldondamar]

I would suggest heading over to the Softimage website and downloading the free mod tool then heading to Desty's video tutorial on making a pistol. (The thread for that is in the same subforum as this)