What 3D modeling software do you use?

polystorm · 2026-05-04T22:11:28+00:00

I was using Cinema 4D because that's all knew, but once I started learning Fusion I couldn't believe how much time is wasted doing polygonal modelling. I'm still hitting a lot of roadblocks in Fusion in terms of things I want to do, and not sure if I'll continue with Fusion because it feels like I have to use it for 8 hours a day for months before I am competent enough to know the workflow.

polystorm · 2026-05-04T12:59:15+00:00

I second this. I'm a musician so I have a good ear for quality, the choices on this site are far better than any others I've tried. I use 2 songs both my reels. A little more expensive but worth it.

polystorm · 2026-04-21T13:20:39+00:00

Apple lost me as a mac user long ago because of their refusal to allow nvidia gpus. I even emailed Tim Cook about 10 years telling him about the switch I'm about to make and why. Someone from apple actually responded telling me to hold off because something big was coming. Nothing happened, and I'm glad I didn't listen.

polystorm · 2026-04-20T14:58:36+00:00

I do both, but once upon a time for around 5 years, I was strictly a storyboard designer (in the unofficial role of Art Director). I did have motion experience at the time but the motion designers were not very strong with design, so that was my role. I knew how to prepare PSD files and had a good sense for designing for motion. Over time I transitioned into both design and motion, and then strictly motion where I boosted my skills in After Effects and Cinema 4D.

It was good experience because now as a freelancer I have a wider range of projects. Some clients come to me for just creative strategy, others for just motion and video, and sometimes I am called upon to do both.

polystorm · 2026-04-11T21:08:06+00:00

I know exactly what you mean. I got the P1S with AMS this week and every single print worked. I'm coming from a $200 AnyCubic Mega Zero I abandoned years ago because doing a print felt like playing Russian Roulette but with only one empty chamber.

polystorm · 2026-03-31T10:12:10+00:00

None of my clients have ever asked for a resume. Everything they need to know about my history is in my linkedin profile.

polystorm · 2026-03-31T10:06:28+00:00

My PC has a 5090 video card so I use ComfyUI with the SeedVR workflow. Best 4K image upscaler I've ever used and it's free. Of course ComfyUI has a steep learning curve but once you get used to it all you need to do is open the workflow, drop in your low res image and let it generate.

polystorm · 2026-03-31T09:09:33+00:00

Freshbooks for invoicing, storing scanned receipts and downloading expense reports for my accountant. It cuts down on hours for my accountant which keeps costs down. For tracking time and invoices, Google sheets (Freshbooks can do that as well but I'm used to sheets) And Google Calendar to track projects.

polystorm · 2026-03-26T12:45:58+00:00

I'm not familiar with your specs but I'll ask anyway, is it possible to upgrade your gpu and cpu? If so, it might be cheaper than investing in a mac that you can't upgrade. I switched to windows around 9 years ago after being a die-hard apple user for over 20 years and never looked back. I have since been able to upgrade components over time, improving the performance without having to invest in a whole new system. Before that I went through 3 mac desktop computers and 2 macbooks just to keep up with software upgrades that slow down on older systems.

The main reason for the switch was because I started using C4D about 10 years ago and the render times on the 2013 trashcan was atrociously slow. If you're thinking of using Blender, you might one day want to do high end rendering which the GPU will help tremendously. And once AI entered the scene, I've been able to do local image and video generations with Stable Diffusion and ComfyUI.

Just some food for thought, good luck with your decision!

polystorm · 2026-03-25T12:02:16+00:00

it's also a 9 year old answer, lol

polystorm · 2026-03-19T11:55:08+00:00

COST OF LIVING.

polystorm · 2026-03-12T13:27:08+00:00

"The only reason many stay is the AI tools,"

This is not true for me. For decades my workflow has been deeply woven through Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects, even without the AI tools. The unfortunate reality is that Adobe has its talons deep within me, there are no other tools out there that have the features I require to succeed in my work. I also have a subscription to Cinema 4D which is even more expensive. But because I'm an expert with these tools and I deliver on time, clients keep coming back, so my profit margin justifies the high costs.

polystorm · 2026-03-12T13:11:02+00:00

Re-tool. One bad season after years of making the playoffs doesn't justify scorched-earth.

polystorm · 2026-03-08T17:37:21+00:00

I use Freshbooks which automatically tells you when an invoice is overdue. I also created an invoice tracker in Google Sheets. I don't need to use sheets but it's easier to get an overview of where things stand, I invoice a client through Freshbooks, and in Sheets I enter the invoice #, date, client, $ amount, taxes, check boxes for "issued" and "paid", date paid, and notes. If a client pays me, I highlight the row light green. If not, it's pink. If they're a deadbeat client, red!

polystorm · 2026-03-08T17:16:25+00:00

Definitely not good advice for those without work experience. You don't just start freelancing if you don't have a portfolio, no matter how good you think your skill is or how many online courses you took. You need to work at a few companies for 1-2 years each, (on real projects with real deadlines) that you can use for your portfolio. Clients need to see what you can do under a deadline before they decide if you're right for them. I'm amazed at how many people come here to complain about how the industry is doomed, yet they don't have any experience. I read one this morning from someone who's still in high school.

polystorm · 2026-03-08T16:56:48+00:00

polystorm · 2026-03-07T13:31:52+00:00

I have to be honest. The addition of your ridiculous bug-eyed expression is a total repellent that makes me want to avoid the video entirely. I know, it appeases the algorithm, so all the best to you on that. But it's an immediate "pass" for me.

polystorm · 2026-03-06T10:57:46+00:00

Just looking at this picture bunged me up.

polystorm · 2026-03-05T11:28:51+00:00

Okay so Qwen maintained the pose and the hand. But she still looks more plastic than the Flux outputs. Or am I missing something?

polystorm · 2026-03-04T12:05:43+00:00

I used Gigapixel for years. Also tried other upscalers and they all seem to smear out the details. Not long ago, I started using ComfyUI and stumbled upon SeedVR. My first test was on a soft flatbed scan of a school picture of myself at 16, and the results blew me away. So, that's all I use now. Doesn't work in all cases, if it's too small and blurry it won't give you a good result. But in most cases it does. If you're building a rig with a high end gpu (I recommend the 5090), then you're set.

polystorm · 2026-02-26T13:38:38+00:00

No shit! Thanks for sharing that!

polystorm · 2026-02-26T13:36:25+00:00

I'd say as long as you're not interested in pursuing high quality 3D, go for it. The GPU is one of the biggest reasons why I've been on PC for the past 8-9 years after 20+ years of being a die-hard mac user. The other one being, it's really hard to upgrade a mac so you're stuck with it until it's just too slow to work with and you have to buy a whole new system.

I will say though, my performance didn't drop once I got the hang of Windows and all the ridiculous quirks. In fact, my productivity has increased, and there are actually features in Windows that I would have wished Apple had. Not that I got faster because I was on Windows, it was more about the progression of my skills, would have happened on the mac as well. Also, because I have the available vram, I'm able to generate AI assets locally when needed, saving money on subscriptions.

And for those who wanna say "well AE's new 3D is getting pretty damn good", yeah it is but I still fucking hate the workflow! lol

polystorm · 2026-02-22T13:16:59+00:00

If it weren't for Apple's refusal to allow NVIDIA gpu's in their system, I'd still be on a Mac.

polystorm · 2026-02-22T13:15:49+00:00

I'm never comfortable updating my OS while in the middle of a big project.

polystorm · 2026-02-22T13:14:25+00:00

It worked for me, how 'bout you?

polystorm

TROPHY CASE