How to create a 3D model and then create an icon/logo from it?

Question

I want to create a simple logo and the the logo I have in mind will be a stylized 3D model with "iconic" lighting (front, left, even). The 3D model itself can be defined as a collection of geometric shapes. Programming is more my thing than design so I'm looking for advice on easy-to-use tools to create my 3D model and then create a logo image from it?

Answer 1

If you insist on making a 3D model, I think something like Blender could prove useful. Of course, depending on how simple your model, lighting, and effects may be you could probably find something much easier to use without all the power. Blender is open source and has a pretty good community behind it.

However, you might be better off with a program like Inkscape, which is a vector graphics editor (also open source) and tutorials on how to make things look 3D. I'd recommend the heathenx screencasts, particularly something like the one on creating an RSS icon.

Answer 2

You might try Google's free SketchUp program. The way 3D modeling works is that you create your model in a virtual 3D space. That's the "modeling" stage. Then you apply colors and/or bitmap graphics to the surface of the 3D object or objects in your model. You adjust lighting and the camera angle from which you're viewing the scene.

Eventually you "render" the scene -- have the computer create a 2D image, such as a JPEG, from your scene. (Rendering can also mean to create an animation rather than a still image.)

Advanced 3D packages are insanely complicated and take months or even years to master. Google SketchUp is pretty cool and lets you get started fast and it's a good balance of simplicity and power. Probably a good choice for creating a logo.

Answer 3

My background is 3D animation for film and television. My first love as far as 3D packages go was Cinema4D. Its a very clean, easy to use package made by Maxon. Its a commercial package, but I believe they have a 30 day trial that will let you render your results.

I've known people who have never used a 3D program to be able to pick it up and figure out how to create simple shapes (sphere, cubes, cones, etc.) and even get them doing basic animation and rendering.

That said, 3D modelling, no matter how simple the package, is not something you learn in a day. Unless your logo can be composed of simple primitives like spheres, cubes, cones, cylinders, tubes, etc. you're going to have a difficult time.

And as always, if you can fake the 3D look using 2D vectors in Illustrator, Flash, Photoshop or, my favourite, Fireworks, you'll have a much less steep learning curve. No matter how daunting Photoshop seems, I can assure that every professional 3D application is going to be harder.

Answer 4

Hello, my background is graphic design. First off, I have to ask why the logo needs to be a 3d model. Is the company/software specializing in 3d modelling? does it have something else to do with 3d? what is having the logo as a 3d model meant to communicate to your audience?

Second, as others have pointed out, 3D modelling is not a straightforward thing. If what you're trying to create is simple, you may be better off rendering it using 2d methods. drawing 3d looking objects is way easier than it looks. In addition, as a 2d illustration, it will be easier to add stylistic tweaks than it would be trying to adjust elaborate shaders and lighting for a one off image. Easier to send to a printer as well.

Third, if you really do think you just need a few simple 3d rendered objects (I think you probably don't), and since your background is in programming, I can reccomend povray. (www.povray.org). In povray you do not get a graphical modelling interface. Instead you declaratively define your 3d scene using a C-like syntax, and compile your program into an image. It's a very programmmery way to do 3d. It just needs a bit of up front planning, though. I reccomend graph paper.