The only thing I hate about Houdini is “polygonal modeling” tools. WTF??? Polygon modeling is just horrible in Houdini!!! Procedural stuff are awesome though.

Thanks for the information Houdini is not designed to be a Modelling application, apparently Blender is good and free to boot

rob

Instead of modeling with polys, try modeling with 3D Coat http://3d-coat.com/ [3d-coat.com] or zBrush http://pixologic.com/ [pixologic.com] (many use both together as they tend to leapfrog each in specific features. (3D Coat for surfacing and UVs, zBrush for retopology, both have unique advantages for modeling).

Works for both characters and hard-surface modeling.

Then retopologize using zRemesher (zBrush is the winner at the moment, but 3D Coat is currently working on a new beta that should close the gap).

If you happen to be modeling architecture, then LWCAD on Lightwave http://www.wtools3d.com/ [wtools3d.com] or the port of LWCAD to 3ds Max http://www.futurarch.com/ [futurarch.com] is the way to go.

Murciallogo
The only thing I hate about Houdini is “polygonal modeling” tools. WTF??? Polygon modeling is just horrible in Houdini!!! Procedural stuff are awesome though.

What would you like to see improve with the Poly tools?

For the most part I like Houdini for hard surface stuff. It helps to set shortcuts. I have all my most used operations bound to extra buttons on my mouse.



But yes, modeling is neglected. Not so much the operators, but the workflow. The problem is, few (very very few?) people use Houdini for traditional modeling. Which means SESI doesn't get much feedback, and there is probably not much pressure from their customers to improve the software on that front, compared to the vfx tools.

Works for both characters and hard-surface modeling.

Hmm, idunno. A lot of the hard surface stuff I've seen from sculpting apps looks like it suffers to some degree from blobs-with-creases syndrome.

DaJuice
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Works for both characters and hard-surface modeling.

Hmm, idunno. A lot of the hard surface stuff I've seen from sculpting apps looks like it suffers to some degree from blobs-with-creases syndrome.

I think I know what you mean.

Probably depends on the skill of the artist? BTW - nice laptop you did in Houdini!!

Here's some smooth hard surface tutorials for zBrush.

http://pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/lesson/panel-loops/ [pixologic.com]
http://pixologic.com/zclassroom/homeroom/lesson/vehicle-design/ [pixologic.com]

and here is a speed sculpt of ‘blobs-with-creases’ in zBrush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zLuSgT3YyY [youtube.com]

In my opinion the best modeling software out there is MODO (even though I'm not using it yet, no money).