Wings3d basics - User Interface

Getting started in 3d can be confusing so I thought I would put together some tutorial videos aimed at those who have never opened a 3d application before.

I intend to focus on free or low cost software so new artists can get started without spending a lot of cash... And also because I am a starving artist and I can't afford the expensive software either hehe.

This video covers the UI, workspace and general concepts of the free and open source polygon modeler from http://www.Wings3d.com

I hope this video can be of help and you have as much fun with 3d modeling as I have.

Music by Kevin MacLeod http://www.incompetech.com

Category:

Education

Tags:

• wings3d
• user interface
• 3d modeling
• graphics software
• howto
• tutorial

[PearlsofLife3]

also 6:16 that sword is amazing! :) it looks like it has an iPod attached ^^ thats so cool! if wings 3d can model stuff like that then im definitely giving it a try.

is the texturing also done in wings 3d? sorry, im new, maybe i should go and watch some more tutorials and i will find out.

[AgeOfArmour]

@PearlsofLife3 Thanks, the sword was made in Wings3d then shaded and rendered in Carrara.

Wings can load textures and can do vertex coloring but most people either load the UV maps into Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or gimp to create their textures. Also people use 3d painting software where you can paint the textures right on the models.

Some 3d paint programs are ZBrush, 3dCoat, Sculptris (free), Mudbox, and a slew of others. I suggest trying out Sculptris. It is a really fun program :)

[PearlsofLife3]

wings 3d looks really good especially since im a beginner. im wondering so according to this i can export my models to another program. can i export them to another program to add bones so i can animate them? if so what free easy to use program for animation would you recommend? thanks for the tutorial.

[AgeOfArmour]

@PearlsofLife3 Yes, Wings can export a number of different formats. The format I use the most is Wavefront Object (.obj) as most all 3d programs can load .obj

Free and easy is a little difficult to come by for rigging and animation. Blender is very powerful and free but not very intuitive IMHO. Daz Studio is free (at this time) and is probably a good program to learn basic 3d concepts though the rigging plugins aren't free. DS has the advantage of premade content to examine and get you started

[OwningYou1104]

@AgeOfArmour I'm sorry, but I still don't understand ANY of this! All I'm trying to do is make a hat for the new Team Fortress 2 Workbench, and now that I've finally got a 3D program, I don't know how to make the wanted item (I'm trying to make a pipe) so it's really discouraging. Could you help? Thanks!

[ddday1991]

why is it that when I try to select certain faces, the face selected isn't highlighted? It sucks, I never know which faces I have selected.

[ddday1991]

@Kwijimo98 very easily.

edit --> preferances ---> camera --> camera mode ---> nendo

once nendo is set simply press alt and left click to rotate

[Kwijimo98]

How do I rotate when using a laptop?

[Cjplus73]

Thanks very much for the tutorial. I have many of the other more robust 3d modeling programs and find myself with not enough time to learn the user interface. Your tutorial was all I needed to be able to start modeling with Wings!

[Pectabyte]

Wings3D is such a great fundamentals program. Wish it had been around when I first started modeling.