Examine the software used in the gaming, movie creation, and design industries and you will find only a handful of major 3-D rendering applications. However, a plethora of third-party applications have managed to generate a dedicated following by offering software at a lower cost, with a cleaner workspace, or simply because it has something unique.
Cheetah3D is part of the budget camp. This program is a fraction of the price of industry juggernauts such as Maya or Cinema 4D, but it also only has a fraction of the features. However, for the beginner or casual user this is not necessarily a bad thing, as it keeps the application light and easy to learn.
Essentially, Cheetah3D is for users who are either interested in learning 3-D animation and rendering as a hobby, or the designer who wants to implement 3-D graphics into their work without needing much training to do so.
At first glance, Cheetah3D doesn’t look much different than the conventional 3-D rendering application. It opens to a 3-D plane and the basic tools are present with x, y, and z axes available to move and transform objects. The application does have a thinner toolset than professionals would prefer, but for the layman, this makes a quick run-through of the tools a much less confusing experience.
Cheetah3D is part of the budget camp. This program is a fraction of the price of industry juggernauts such as Maya or Cinema 4D, but it also only has a fraction of the features. However, for the beginner or casual user this is not necessarily a bad thing, as it keeps the application light and easy to learn.
Essentially, Cheetah3D is for users who are either interested in learning 3-D animation and rendering as a hobby, or the designer who wants to implement 3-D graphics into their work without needing much training to do so.
Working in Cheetah3D
At first glance, Cheetah3D doesn’t look much different than the conventional 3-D rendering application. It opens to a 3-D plane and the basic tools are present with x, y, and z axes available to move and transform objects. The application does have a thinner toolset than professionals would prefer, but for the layman, this makes a quick run-through of the tools a much less confusing experience.
Within about two hours of use, I had most of the application figured out. Among my favorite features is the application’s ability to convert vector graphics into 3-D objects. Just import the graphic and add an extrude property to expand it. It does not keep the colors, however, so the user will need to color them in Cheetah3D or export them and use a different application.
There are also tools in the application which function similar to a vector pen, which should make designers feel right at home. After making a basic 2-D drawing, by applying features I was able to create a nice looking mug and a few other objects rather quickly. It is similar to the “Freehand” tool in Cinema 4D.
Another nice element is that the application allows the user to continue working on a project while a detailed image of the project is rendering.
There are also quite a few tools to edit individual polygons, edit primitives, and create various shapes and objects. With a combination of these tools, a user should be able to create a large range of images rather easily.
Cheetah3D has quite a few basic tools, which will keep newcomers busy, and there is enough variety in editing objects to satisfy most of what they will need. There are no advanced features, however, such as complex physics engines or tools for creating hair and cloth, although it does have features for UV unwrapping, texture painting, and node editing.
There are also tools in the application which function similar to a vector pen, which should make designers feel right at home. After making a basic 2-D drawing, by applying features I was able to create a nice looking mug and a few other objects rather quickly. It is similar to the “Freehand” tool in Cinema 4D.
Another nice element is that the application allows the user to continue working on a project while a detailed image of the project is rendering.
There are also quite a few tools to edit individual polygons, edit primitives, and create various shapes and objects. With a combination of these tools, a user should be able to create a large range of images rather easily.
Cheetah3D has quite a few basic tools, which will keep newcomers busy, and there is enough variety in editing objects to satisfy most of what they will need. There are no advanced features, however, such as complex physics engines or tools for creating hair and cloth, although it does have features for UV unwrapping, texture painting, and node editing.
When it comes to light, shadow, and texture, Cheetah3D holds its ground. The user can realistically illuminate an image and the application also supports some more complex features such as caustic lighting, which creates an effect similar to shining light through a crystal. A texture and lightmap baking system greatly enhances the images.
The materials use bump mapping, but support effects such as reflections and transparency. The materials can be applied to images to give the illusion of glass, wood, and other substances.
Ideally, there would be a larger library of materials available, but Cheetah3D compensates for this by allowing the user to customize various elements of the materials, expanding the options.
The application comes with a simple, 16-page PDF manual to get the user started, giving a quick rundown of the application’s tools. It offers free online videos, as well as a $29 beginner video that I would highly recommend. Key features such as creating animations are mostly a mystery without it.
The user forum also offers a good level of support. They hold contests and have user-submitted tutorials.
Cheetah3D is a great application for its price. New users interested in the world of 3-D rendering should find a good place to start with this application. Editing and creating images in Cheetah3D is easy, fun, and headache-free.
Cheetah3D’s competitor is most likely the free software known as Blender. Blender is powerful and can create games in addition to creating videos and graphics, but it just can’t beat Cheetah3D’s simplicity as even professionals in other 3-D rendering applications often have difficulty learning Blender.
Professionals using high-end 3-D rendering applications may not find much use for Cheetah3D, unless they are looking for a light application to basic object creating. Cheetah3D has the basics covered and can do quite a bit. It is also very fast and the user can still work while images are rendering.
Price: $149
Web site: www.cheetah3d.com
[etRating value=“ 4”]
The materials use bump mapping, but support effects such as reflections and transparency. The materials can be applied to images to give the illusion of glass, wood, and other substances.
Ideally, there would be a larger library of materials available, but Cheetah3D compensates for this by allowing the user to customize various elements of the materials, expanding the options.
The application comes with a simple, 16-page PDF manual to get the user started, giving a quick rundown of the application’s tools. It offers free online videos, as well as a $29 beginner video that I would highly recommend. Key features such as creating animations are mostly a mystery without it.
The user forum also offers a good level of support. They hold contests and have user-submitted tutorials.
In a Nutshell
Cheetah3D is a great application for its price. New users interested in the world of 3-D rendering should find a good place to start with this application. Editing and creating images in Cheetah3D is easy, fun, and headache-free.
Cheetah3D’s competitor is most likely the free software known as Blender. Blender is powerful and can create games in addition to creating videos and graphics, but it just can’t beat Cheetah3D’s simplicity as even professionals in other 3-D rendering applications often have difficulty learning Blender.
Professionals using high-end 3-D rendering applications may not find much use for Cheetah3D, unless they are looking for a light application to basic object creating. Cheetah3D has the basics covered and can do quite a bit. It is also very fast and the user can still work while images are rendering.
Price: $149
Web site: www.cheetah3d.com
[etRating value=“ 4”]
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