Suggest some free mapping/modeling software for me....

[Solauren]

Hey everyone.

I've recently decided to try my hand at making miniature gaming displays/scences/layouts/Diorama.

I"ve also decided for some of them, mapping them out in 3D first, to see what the idea would look like, would be a good idea.

Any suggestions in this regard?

The first one I want to do is fairly straight forward - Circular 'temple', 10 inch radius base, 'classic greek style' pillars, possibly a roof.

[Oskuro]

I guess any 3d modelling tool would suffice, you can just use simple shapes to represent the props and you'll be set.

I would recommend Blender, but the UI makes it too demanding for casual use.

[salm]

Wings 3D is supposed to be quite good and relatively simple. And it´s free, too.

What are you planning to do exactly? Are you going to import it into a game engine? If yes, which one?

[Solauren]

Nope, no plans to make digital models.

I'm just trying to find a way to plan out a few 'from stratch' wargamming models without using up a lot of graph paper, or getting half way through a build and going 'you know what, the measure ments are fine, but it looks to small'.

If you need an example of what I have in mind to build (I don't expect to be making high quality stuff)

And before you suggest it, buying pre-made kits is expensive, and probably not nearly as fun or satisfying

[Oskuro]

Again, a regular 3d modelling tool would work. You can just use a bunch of untextured primitives (cubes, spheres, etc) with the correct measurements (wich you can even input in real units, like cms, in most tools) to build a virtual mockup.

If you're using a grid-based scheme, you can even define a grid, like in a 2d art program, and snap to it.

Of course, if the 3d part doesn't matter, you could do the same with a regular art program (like GIMP), a few pre-defined shapes and a snap to grid.

[salm]

Then use Sketchup. It´s free and you probably won´t find anything simpler.

Note that the Cameras field of view will influence the look of it. You´re using this to get the proportions of your models correctly so you´ll have to find a usefull field of view first.