No sooner do we have a post on the free version of SketchUp 3D software and in comes a comment on that post pointing out Blender, an open source 3D package, that, unlike Google SketchUp, is full featured and capable of turning out high level work.
Reading through the Blender website shows this package will go far beyond anything you’ll need unless you are planning to do this sort of thing full time. If you have that motorcycle idea floating around in your head or rough sketched on paper, install Blender 3D and you’ll have the tool to create a professional image. Notice, I say the tool and not the skill, that comes later after some learning about how it all works and a fair bit of practice. There’s a lot of free documentation and some you can buy.
The image shown here was produced using Blender for a Peugeot design competition, that should give you an idea of what it can do. Definitely worth a look.
Thanks to Brinskee for the tip.
Links: Blender 3D open source software
The Kneeslider: Sketchup Free 3D modeling software
Michael Shannon says
Blender is definitely a great product and offers many features absent in Sketchup. But, the learning curve difference is huge. I created a measured model of a workbench in SketchUp in under an hour – that includes time viewing the tutorials. You’ll spend days getting up to speed working with Blender.
You can check out the workbench model/plans on my website.
Michael Shannon
Vyoma says
I am not sure of Sketch Up, but Blender defiently is a great tool for designing stuff in 3d. I had come across Blender and Wings 3D earlier but then I had used Wings 3D. I then started drifting to Blender and even started a project.
I am not that much of a biker, but I do own a Royal Enfield Bullet.