Customer Reviews

Curious Labs Shade 3D Graphics Designer 7.0 LE

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I consider myself a reasonably smart guy. While still relatively new to the wonderful world of computer animation, I've nevertheless been able to become resonably proficient in a number of programs in a short amount of time. I've learned Animation Master, Poser, Bryce, and Vue, and will soon be learning Carrara Pro, which by all accounts is wonderful and easy to use. While I'm not a master at any of these, each program has been easier to learn than the one before it.

I bought Shade 7 because it is sold by Curious Labs, the same people who produce Poser. They advertise it as "companion software" to Poser (Poser fusion), and they offered it for half off with my Poser serial number. I naturally assumed that it would have a similar interface and controls as Poser.

WRONG! Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong! Shade was developed in Japan, by a completely different team of programmers. The only thing it has in common with Poser is that it was bought out by Curios Labs, who now market it. Poser fusion? I don't get it. Any 3d modellling software that will allow you to export into DXF, 3DS, or OBJ can be used to create props for Poser, so this is NOT a strong selling point. Importing Poser characters? Vue and Carrara Pro will allow you to import the entire animation!

So, how is the software? Let me just say that Shade is about the most UN-user friendly software I've ever attempted to use! People who are used to doing 90 percent of their work by pointing and clicking with a mouse will be instantly turned off. Not only are keyboard commands used as shortcuts, THEY'RE MANDATORY! I'm not kidding. Even simple commands like moving the camera or rotating your model require you to memorize which key (or KEYS) to hold down while dragging your mouse. Keep in mind, this is just to do basic functions that should be intuitive.

Try doing a simple boolean function. Go ahead. I dare you. In Vue or Bryce, its so ridiculously simple that a four year old could do it. In Shade? Go into the PDF manual that comes with the software and try to decifer it. It gave me a splitting headache just trying to make sense of it. Who wrote this manual? Maybe its just a literal traslation from the Japanese one.

I'm sure that a person who's proficient in Shade can make stunning 3d models. The free models that come with the software are also useful, so its not a complete waste of money. The "magical draw" software is quite useful. For these reasons, I give it two stars. As far as actually using Shade to create models to populate my 3d universe? Forget it! I just want to make movies. I don't have time for this crap!

I like shade 7 because you have so many ways to create things, you can outline a photo and bring it to life, draw a character and let shade bring it to life, or you can just use regular block modeling. Though this program is not without its faults. The main problem is actually learning to use it. But once you get the hang of it the possibilities are endless. In the end I give this program a 8 out of 10 stars, because even though it's a great modeling tool, they should have included better instructions.

This is a program that has lots of history... in Japan. Being so, it has developed outside the influence of other 3d programs. The natural result is that the way you work in Shade is quite different from other 3d programs. However, this is used to its advantage, as you will find out if you stick to the program and keep an open mind.

The way of doing things in Shade is very consistent, the procedure is the same for everything. So once you understand how to do A, learning to do B, C, D, and all the way to X will become second nature.

I am a beginner for 3D graphic. I choose this product becasue I used poser well and I would like make a model for me. It is a new area for me. However, it looks like too difficult to use and it cost lot money.