How should I start playing with 3D ?

Question

I'm a developer for just about 6 months now, and since I enjoy programming I've started little programs such as encripters, calculators, tools, stuff to play with DropBox (hehe), stuff that play with bitmaps, drawing graphics, and even a program to update the MSN display image according to the artwork of the music you're listening yo on iTunes.

One of my other hobbies is 3d modelling (completely amateur) and I'd like to mix these hobbies together! So I've read a little about it and figured I'd have to have good notions on geometry, math, point spacial position (which I do, from my 3d modelling experience), but I don't know how to use API's for it, so I've 'simulated' simple 3d with a simple program I've made (a spinning cube).

Here are some questions:
1) What would be a nice 3d development tool for a .NET programmer like me?
2) Is there a way of using 3d models made in 3DS Max ? (I intend on modelling characters)
3) What knowledge should I have in order to render it, and move it around ?
4) Which API should I use ?

NOTE: Not a dupe, I'm asking for directions specific for .NET development possibly using 3ds MAX, and there were no questions about it so far

---

EDIT:

I've got three answers that seem quite nice, so let me specify a little and maybe you can tell me what's the more appropriate tool.
What I'd like to build soon would be like:

• portable (click'n'run, no need to install, and (hopefully) no need to send DLL's along)
• "3D embedding" in winforms application, like a picturebox you could render in.
• Real winforms application-like (having all System api's like IO, Drawing and etc)

The development enviroment would be nice if it:

• Had the possibility to import existant 3D models (not a must, but a plus)
• Had the ability to create 3d models programatically (a must)
• Possibly has a tool for materials and textures (that would be a huge plus)
• Is Well known (high availability of tutorials, questions in S.O., forums..)

And it would be really nice if I could use C# all the way :)

Answer 1

Since you are using C#.Net, the XNA library will be excellent for you. It is free off the Microsoft website and integrates into the VS IDE. A lot of available tutorials around to help get started.

Also, if I remember correctly. to use a 3d model in XNA, simply export the completed model as (.X). It can then be loaded into your work.

Answer 2

Personally, I found XNA a little too "Game Centric" for my tastes. I was more interested in design/architecture type uses.

You may find SlimDX more to your liking.

Answer 3

I'm going to provide another vote for XNA. The comment that it's too "game centric" is a non-starter - it provides a rendering loop with feedback on how fast everything is running so you can adjust your rendering to try to maintain a specific framerate (if you want). This isn't particularly game-centric as it's something that most 3D applications should worry about. The only thing that's really unusually game-centric about it is that it provides easy access to game controllers. Feel free to ignore that bit if you don't want to use it.

The only downside for you using XNA is your requirement that it be click'n'run, XNA has a redistributable that you have to worry about. Note that Win7 has this installed by default, but Vista and earlier don't.

EDIT: XNA is made for applications that are strictly 3D. As such it doesn't natively support using typical windowing controls inside of an XNA project. But, there are ways around this... A few useful links. Embedding XNA in a winform : http://forums.xna.com/forums/p/6471/34180.aspx#34180 WPF controls directly inside an XNA project : http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/UploadFile/iersoy/256/Default.aspx

Answer 4

My vote goes for Povray. It is a 3d renderer with a c-like syntax language. It doesn't satisfy your .net needs, but if cool non the less for 3d rendering. If you any kind of interactivity XNA is probably your best best. But I'm interested in your finds.

Answer 5

Re: "Has the ability to create 3d models programatically (a must)"

A few pointers:

• Polygon Triangulation
• (Dr. ?) Jonathan Richard Shewchuk's Triangle library
• Dr. Hang Si's TetGen library
• Constructive Solid Geometry
• GNU Triangulated Surface Library

There are no .NET libraries I am aware of that allow you use the above mentioned libraries/techniques. You will have to use PInvoke or C++/CLI in order to make calls to these libraries from the managed world.

Answer 6

Even though there are great suggestions in this post already(such as SlimDX and XNA), I'd just like to mention OpenTK.

OpenTK is closer to OpenGL than Direct3D, but it might be the best solution for cross-platform 3D .NET applications.

Answer 7

I vote you try Blender. www.blender.org

It's free, open source, and has a great community both on forums and IRC. Progress on the app is pushed forward by major community projects every year, some of which are movies and games and have won some awards. It is gaining industry acceptance as a way to model extremely fast.

Downsides: It's not considered as "pro" as Maya or ZBrush, and it has a very different brain about interface. Learning curve can be interesting, depending on how you learn and how much help you receive.

Upsides: It's free, great community, updated regularly, many tutorials and community projects to work on.

Community:

• Blender channel on IRC
• Blenderartists forums

Previous community Projects:

• Elephant's Dream
• Big Buck Bunny