painter 3d

When 3D programs first became available, artists had to resort to post render editing to get the results they wanted. Fortunately, software became more sophisticated, adding multi-channel shaders to the 3D designer's toolbox thereby enabling the creation of photo-realistic renderings. Techniques evolved further as 3D artists learned to use 2D photo editing programs to create texture and bump maps for their 3D masterpieces. But there still wasn't a program that allowed you to paint directly on the 3D model.

Fractal Design created Detailer, one of the first programs that let you actually paint on a 3D model. Detailer was manna from heaven for serious 3D artists, but the program was not without its weak points. You needed a fast computer and an extreme amount of patience to get the most out of Detailer.

The Painter 3D interface. Click for a closer look.

MetaCreations recently introduced Painter 3D, a program based on the technology of Fractal Design Detailer. All I can say about the new program is, "You've come a long way, baby."

Painter 3D enables the artist to paint texture, bump, reflection, highlight, and glow properties directly to 3D models. The program comes with image editing effects and over 100 Natural-Media brushes. Painter 3D also enables you to create multiple floating selections. There's also up to 32 levels of undo, giving you endless creative power.

Users of MetaCreations 2D photo editing program, Painter will recognize Painter 3D's interface. The brushes and plug-ins allow you to paint directly on your 3D model or image map and see the model update in real time.

Painter 3D allows the use of multiple Floaters. This allows you to import another image, and apply it as a floating selection to your image map. The floating section can then be precisely positioned to achieve the desired results.

The Maps Manager is new to Painter 3D. This function gives you the capability to share maps and lets you simultaneously edit several maps at once. Using the Maps Manager, select the maps you want to change, apply an effect to the first map, and simultaneously update all maps selected.

Painter 3D also has the capability render the model using either an imported image, or color as a background. Flexible lighting options allow you to vary the intensity, color, and position of the lights to reveal the beauty of your detailed model.

Painter 3D uses the standard 3D formats, .OBJ, .DXF, and .3DMF. Detailed 3D models are saved in Painter 3D's native .P3D format. Painter 3D is backwards compatible with Detailer .VDU files.

Painter 3D lets you import and export image files in most popular formats. Saving image maps in the program's native .RIF format keeps all floating sections intact, giving the user greater flexibility for future editing. The program also supports a wide variety of image editing plug-ins such as Kai's Power Tools.

Painter 3D viewed through Ray Dream Studio. Click for a closer look. A completed Ray Dream Studio scene with textures painted in Painter 3D. Click for a closer look.

In addition to being a stand alone program, Painter 3D plugs directly into MetaCreations Ray Dream Studio 5.0, Ray Dream 3D, and 3D Studio MAX from Kinetix. The plug-in interfaces seamlessly with the main program, allowing you to detail your 3D creation in Painter 3D and return to the host program to render and further manipulate the scene.

MetaCreations Painter 3D performs admirably. The program is a welcome addition to any serious 3D artist's tool kit. Comparing the program to its predecessor, Fractal Design Detailer, I noted improvements in ease of use and flexibility of texturing. The ability to simultaneously edit multiple image maps is a welcome improvement. And Painter 3D can detail complex grouped models.

There is also a noticeable increase in program speed. Effects applied to the image maps are updated almost instantaneously on the 3D model. Manipulation of the model is much easier thanks to the addition of numeric controls.

Lacking was complete documentation of the plug-in procedures with Ray Dream Studio 5.0, Ray Dream 3D, and 3D Studio MAX. When first using the program as a plug-in with Ray Dream Studio, I was presented with a minuscule window for the 3D model. There appeared to be no way to adjust the size of the window within Painter 3D. The problem was rectified after I discovered a Painter 3D plug-in Preferences menu was installed in Ray Dream which allowed me to manipulate the size of the model window.

The program comes on CD ROM with sample models to detail and a tutorial. An illustrated manual accompanies the program. Painter 3D works with both Windows and Macintosh operating systems.

Painter 3D has a suggested retail price or $449.00 and is available directly from MetaCreations. Registered users of Fractal Design's Detailer can upgrade to Painter 3D for $149.00. Contact MetaCreations at 1-800-846-0111 for further information.


Doug Sahlin is a writer, freelance graphic illustrator, and digital artist living in Lakeland, Fla.  You can E-Mail Doug at das001@earthlink.net or visit his Web site, Doug's Digital Domain at home.earthlink.net/~das001/.

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