Free app/program/software for positioning light onto basic shapes?
March 24, 2015 3:31 PM   Subscribe

Free app/program/software for positioning light onto basic renderings of geometric shapes?

I am looking for some sort of free program that can help me determine what a 3d image would look like if I move its light source around. This is for drawing purposes. Thanks!
posted by DeltaForce to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)
 
Sketch-up has this feature, though I've never used it.
posted by she's not there at 3:34 PM on March 24, 2015


I believe SketchUp lets you do a single light source, although you may have to move your objects around rather than moving the light around.

Blender will definitely do this, although it'll probably be a little harder to get started.

You might look at the modelers which will output to the POV-Ray renderer.

Looks like Ayam looks like it'll output RIB, and Pixar just announced a free version of RenderMan...
posted by straw at 3:37 PM on March 24, 2015


Seconding Blender. I love that program. If you work your way through Blender for Dummies you're on your way to make awesome 3D renders.
posted by hz37 at 9:36 AM on March 25, 2015


The learning curve on Blender is pretty rough, but well worth it.
posted by anaelith at 4:52 AM on March 27, 2015


« Older Long-term risks of retinol/AHA products?   |   Baseball meets tennis racket Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.