Mechanical Marvel - Industry Software

Mechanical Marvel - Industry Software

In games design/development there are particular sets of software each that does what the other may not be able to, or better. This software can range from video editing software, sculpting and modelling software and of course, photo-manipulating and painting software. But which is which?

As a game designer/developer you're going to at some stage use all of these software so it is essential that you learn and familiarise yourself with all of the editing, photo editing and modelling software.

Photo-manipulation Software

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is probably the biggest and most versatile photo editing software out there currently. It allows games designers to comprise digital design sheets and more commonly used, for painting and digital illustrations. Photoshop has a built in panting panel that allows you to paint in it.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is just as big as Photoshop but isn't used for the same thing. Illustrator is mean't more for polygonal illustrators, logos and vectors. However in games, this can still be useful.

Sculpting/Modelling Software

Autodesk Maya

Maya is probably one of if not the most used software for modelling assets, characters and props for games. It has versatile and in-depth use of polygonal shapes and a powerful rendering engine. The software as a whole that has multiple built-in tools, engines and features. A software essential.

Autodesk Mudbox

Mudbox is the sister-software to Maya and since it was made by the same company, it is evident that similar features follow over from Maya. However, Mudbox is used more for sculpting and creating more realistic character, animal, monster and creature characters. 

ZBrush

ZBrush is like Mudbox but ZBrush is far more advanced and has a wider variety of tools for higher-detailed sculpting. ZBrush is used by most if not all character modellers and designers just for the tools that allow you to get you such a high detailed final render on characters, monsters and creatures.

Autodesk 3DS Max

The final software apart of Autodesk is 3DS Max. 3DS Max is more used for animation since 3DS Max is built for rigging, animation and has the best rendering engine of the lot. It gives the best final result visually with higher detailed shaders and smoother frames as a whole. 

Video Editing Software

Sony Vegas Pro

Sony Vegas is a basic but advanced video editing software that utilizes a timeline, media generators, visualfx, text, keyframes and more. It is easy to learn but for small, short high definition cinematics or trailers. This can also be paired with the more advanced and commonly used Adobe Premier.

Adobe Premier

Adobe Premier which is like Sony Vegas, yet more detailed and advanced. Why? Because premier has a wider array of visual effects both for games, movies and more. Not only this but also for vector animations. Essentially this is the best video editing software you can get. 

Misc Software

XNormal 

XNormal is a basic piece of software that allows you to turn any real-life Photograph or image into a map or texture. For example you can create maps for models in Maya, Mudbox, Photoshop and 3DS Max from XNormal. The software has various other features for both low and high poly meshes.