OpenFX - Open Source 3D Modelling, Animation And Rendering Suite

openfx

OpenFX is an Open-Source 3D modeling, animation and rendering suite created by Dr. Stuart Ferguson. He made the decision to release the source code to the public in the middle of 1999, and the product formerly named SoftF/X was renamed to OpenFX. It has now been released under the terms of the GNU General Public Licence.

This software provides the necessary tools to model and animate 3D objects with a great quality and detail.

This program offers many features to create excellent 3D object designs. You can curve your lines, or give special shapes with the tools and menus for building your 3D objects; moreover you can do some actions like rotate, mirror, extrude and many others that will improve your design; also you can add some attributes adding new materials or setting their coordinates to it.

open fx 3d design and animation

In the animator utility section you can animate your 3D designs by providing some movements to show all the aspects of your 3D object. It allows to record the movements and play them like a movie. It includes the necessary features to provide rotation, zoom in, zoom out, etc. It also allows you to record frames and these frames can be inserted, added or deleted to provide a set of frames and build your complete movie showing the movements on a single and complete timeline, which can also be modified. Moreover it offers all the actions related to the control frames and improve a better performance on your animation. {via}

The program is not easy for an average user, and you need to read the manual first if you don’t have any background on design or animation. Its installation process is easy to perform and no additional libraries or programs are needed. Its documentation is very complete and is included with the program. Open FX works in Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP platforms.

A powerful feature-set includes a full renderer and raytrace engine, NURBS support, kinematics-based animation, morphing, and an extensive plugin API.

Plugin capabilities include image post processor effects such as lens flare, fog and depth of field. Animation effects such as explosions, waves and dissolves add enormously to the flexibility of the program. Check out the full list of the various effect types and let your imagination run wild!

Get the 3D suite here, and the software tutorial here. A sample make here, a shampoo bottle.