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Working in three dimensions on a two dimensional surface is not easy. Finding the right software to start creating 3D images on a computer is definitely not an easy proposition. Even for high end power users, the competition in 3D software for the Web, print and film is fierce. The current heavy weights are Maya, 3D Studio Max and Lightwave. While the market is filled with many solid products, the applications that have reached the greatest popularity with the professionals are essentially Maya and Studio Max.
The only problem for end users wanting to get their proverbial feet wet in 3D is price. With prices that top that of most computers, there are not too many home users that are going to be that heavily invested in computer 3D software willing and ready to spend thousands of dollars on applications alone. This is particularly true for those that are just immersing themselves into three dimensional computer art and animation. If price points were not enough, these applications are far from being intuitive to use. When one compounds complexity with cost, the mixture means some serous headaches for those that want to work on home projects.
Coming to the rescue is Eovia’s Carrara Studio 2. Named for the quarry used by Michelangelo, this incarnation offers end users a great deal for relatively modest price points. If you are simply interested in creating a few 3D graphics for the Web, or animated scenes, Carrara has a lot to offer.
Like the high end professionals, you will find Metaball Modeling, Bezier Path Modeling, and Adobe Illustrator import to name a few of the modeling features here. Feature for feature, Carrara Studio matches the heavyweights point for point. The big difference between Carrara and other applications in this arena breaks down to the interface and the way the application goes about doing things.
For those going back and forth between Windows and Mac platforms, the interface stays the same. This is a plus for those working in a cross platform environment. The downside is that the screens that Eovia presents differ greatly from most applications. If you are familiar with Bryce or Poser, as well as several other applications that were with Metacreations, you have some idea as to what to expect. While the graphic menus are attractive, in fact they are stunning, there could be end users that may find the layout a bit confusing.
In keeping with the software company’s mission of creating easier to use software, the highly visual colorful menu system created to simplify the creation process could be a distraction. From my experiences, the graphics and menu layouts are great to look at, but do require some time for adjustment when working with them extensively. On an aesthetic level, Eovia has reached a high point. I would even say that they make things a bit easier. But, they require some getting accustomed to in order to feel comfortable with the format.
In keeping with the idea of ease of use, Eovia’s Carrara Studio 2 breaks down 3D image manipulation into five distinct steps. Using the metaphor of “rooms,” the interface dramatically changes depending on which room you are working in at the time. The rooms are broken down into Modeling, Assembling, Texture, Animation and Rendering. What this effectively manages to do is make the creation process a series of steps. On many levels this makes sense.
But, there are moments when you will want to work in a less regimented fashion. This is not to say it is a bad thing. For newbies, and those becoming accustomed to the complexity and array of choices, this can make a difficult process that much easier. With regards to the success of rooms and ease of use, this is pretty much a judgment call. What is not a judgment call is that Carrara does offer a complete environment that leaves little to chance.
Unlike applications like Lightwave, or 3D Studio Max, Carrara does depend a great deal on visuals and icons. In many cases the tools used to manipulate an object are not menus, but colorful buttons with hidden menus that reveal even more buttons. Even with the heavy emphasis on visuals and colorful buttons, the application still remains a great deal easier to use than many others. Again, this comes down to user preferences and how you feel about a menu system that is unique. If you are game for it, the system has merits.
For high end users, I can see instances where control could be an issue. If you are into fine detail, Carrara can at some points represent some difficulties. While there are workarounds, the ease of use involved means the loss of some control over details. This is not a hugely distracting issue, but it is one to keep in mind. For most end users, I doubt if this will be enough of problem to warrant serious consideration. One has to keep in mind that Carrara is not trying to compete with a dedicated powerhouse like Maya. What Carrara tries to do is make those high powered features accessible without making them nearly impossible to use.
Unlike some applications in this arena, Carrara is actually a bit intuitive once you see the logic of the system. Even with that in mind, the program has some rather “different” ways of accomplishing what the power applications accomplish. Therefore reading the enclosed manual is a must.
If reading a manual seems like a trip to “boring,” do think again. The nearly 600 page instruction book is not filled with endless meandering details, but pictures and step-by-step instruction. While I doubt if one can be familiar with an application of this complexity in a few days, the manual is a must read in order to get as much as you can from the application. Fortunately for those buying the application, this book is an important, accessible guide. Also enclosed is a spreadsheet laying out basic functions. There are also instructional demos included that also help make the most obvious functions a bit easier to control and comprehend.
Point for point, Evoia has continued a tradition that started with Ray Dream Studio and now culminates in Carrara Studio 2. Amazingly stable, fast and competent, there is really little to criticize here. Of all of the applications on the market, this is the only one that offers professional features at an affordable price. For those that are end users and want to create animation, 3D graphics or entire three dimensional worlds, Carrara Studio 2 is a standout application with few peers. The only thing to keep in mind is that this application is not a step down from others in the arena, and it does comes with a learning curve. However, if you are new to this field and want to know where to start, this is definitely a must have application.
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