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Silo 2 for $40 worthwhile?

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  • Subtropic PixelSubtropic Pixel Posts: 2,388
    edited December 1969

    I have decided to wait on Silo 2. I have plenty to occupy my modelling interests and limited available time in the next 3 to 6 months. Between Hex2, Carrara, and Blender, I've got plenty to work on. I'm spending my time in Hexagon right now just to allow myself to focus a bit, but since it's not 64 bit, I probably won't play with it for too much longer. I don't want to get so far along that I start bumping into memory issues, especially since I've been running 64 bit hardware and OS since my old dual Opteron 64 system back in 2000ish and Windows Vista 64 on my Core 2 Quad about a week after it came out, whenever that was.

    As a consumer with limited resources, I've done my part by bringing my hardware and OS up to snuff. At least DS and Carrara are 64 bit, but that's just not good enough long term. I'd like to see DAZ to do the right thing and bring ALL their software up to 64 bit, including Bryce and Hexagon.

  • kyoto kidkyoto kid Posts: 41,838
    edited December 1969

    ...a 64 bit Hexagon would be nice, however the programme itself needs a lot of other fixes and improvement as well. Tools and processes need to be updated. new tools (like a slice or cut tool and displacement brush) need to be introduced. The UV mapping system needs serious improvement.

    ...and above all, the bugs which are the root of the programme's instability need to be squashed.

    Considering the fact there was one small beta update to Hexagon in over five years, I'm not holding my breath anything positive will occur anytime soon (or even Daz soon).

    -----

    Blender's UI really hasn't changed much since I first tried learning it five years ago. It is still cumbersome and cryptic being primarily keyboard rather than icon/pointer driven. The application has also bloated from what was once primarily a polygon/subdivision modeller to a freeware version of 3DS Max.

    Also the comments of some in the community and foundation (including the foundation's director) concerning making it easier to learn for newcomers have put me off.

    -----

    Modo has also gone the "all in one" route from a subdivision modeller at an increased price tag.

    -----

    This pretty much leaves Silo as the frontrunner.

  • Leo ChenLeo Chen Posts: 697
    Mattymanx said:

    This page - http://store.steampowered.com/app/100400/ - only lists Windows as a required OS, not Mac. Also I do not see any restrictions of use listed there

    Also, Nevercenter is selling Silo for $99 after coupon - http://www.nevercenter.com/silo/ - and its Mac compatible

    Now, it is for Windows, Mac as well as "Linux"......

     

  • StratDragonStratDragon Posts: 3,273
    edited December 2015
    kyoto kid said:

     

    Blender's UI really hasn't changed much since I first tried learning it five years ago. It is still cumbersome and cryptic being primarily keyboard rather than icon/pointer driven. The application has also bloated from what was once primarily a polygon/subdivision modeller to a freeware version of 3DS Max.

     

    I think there is a misconception that Blender UI is borked and no one will fix it. Blenders UI is different, to call it bloated because it wants to compete with 3DMax and Maya is wrong, it's taking the power of $3000K+ software and delivering it to the average user who could never afford those kinds of expenses, and because of this versatility it's hard for it not to look confusing to the novice. There has been no real overhaul of the UI since 2.49 but there have been changes and enhancements and they still appear periodically adding keyboard and mouse driven solutions for many of the commonly used features. Blender is not software you can simply install open up and figure out just by looking and clicking, it requires spending some time learning and there are literarily thousands of tutorials mostly free for this software. The result however can be astounding to say the least. I cant put Blender in the same category as Hex or Silo or Sculprtis, it does what they do and far more than they venture to try.

    All that aside it works amazingly well on Windows, Mac and Linux and can pretty much do most if not anything else of any commercial 3D software package or suite can regardless of price and bug reports to patches latency is something only 99% of 3D software could only dream about being able to acomplish. 

    Post edited by StratDragon on
  • Oso3DOso3D Posts: 15,084

    Thanks for the necro, I was unaware of Silo and am definitely putting that on my wishlist.

    I use Carrara for modeling exclusively, and it leaves a bit to be desired (IMO).

     

  • jpb06tjpb06t Posts: 272
    edited December 2015

    Necro-ing a thread about a dead program laugh.

    Meanwhile, just to make kyoto_kid madder, Blender is starting the route to become not just a 3DStudio/Maya lite (which is today) but a Houdini lite (for more info, see this video by Lukas Tonne showing a node network driven array modifier). Watching that video I could not help not hearing in my mind the note from Also Sprach Zarathustra.

     

    Post edited by jpb06t on
  • Oso3DOso3D Posts: 15,084

    Not quite dead, and I'd happy pay $100 for a program with a UI that didn't resemble engineers on a bender.

     

  • StratDragonStratDragon Posts: 3,273
    timmins.william said:

    Not quite dead, and I'd happy pay $100 for a program with a UI that didn't resemble engineers on a bender.

    I've always thought of Maya and 3DMax as the Empire and Blender as the rebellion, just slapped together, a hodge-podge-rag-tag-slap-dash-lego creation that was not shiny or polished or aerodynamic but it gets the job done in the end and blows up the death star (twice!)

     

  • jpb06tjpb06t Posts: 272
    edited December 2015
    timmins.william said:

    Not quite dead

    Go to this thread in the so called Silo support forum on CGForums (because NeverCenter stopped long time ago bothering even with just managing their Silo forums) and enjoy yourself <MUHAHAHA>.

    @StratDragon: and when in 20 days the Empire enact its subscription move for 3DStudio and Maya your analogy will more than ever applicable. Time to blast another Death Star laugh.

    Post edited by jpb06t on
  • Oso3DOso3D Posts: 15,084

    Enh. Is there another UI-friendly modeler out there that isn't stupidly expensive?

    (I just don't have the time and energy to devote months to just grasping Blender's UI)

     

  • namffuaknamffuak Posts: 4,403

    FWIW, Silo 2.3.1 is available as a 64-bit program.

  • Silver DolphinSilver Dolphin Posts: 1,638

    Silo is a 64bit program and I purchased it just for this reason. It was upgraded. It is worth the $110 US dollars they are asking. Here are the release notes from their site:

    Version 2.3.1

    New/Changed Features

    • Data directories have changed (for a better launch experience for users coming from Silo 2.2 and earlier). NOTE: This data directory change will require that users re-register Silo. Your same Silo 2.x registration information will work; please email [email protected] if you cannot find it, and we can look it up for you.
    • Windows versions are now large-address-aware, this is particularly helpful for 32-bit users when running on a 64-bit windows. Silo can now use 4 GB of RAM instead of just 2 GB.
    • Windows 64-bit native version. The 64-bit version can handle larger meshes due to availability of more than 4 GB of RAM, the same as the Mac OS X and Linux versions which are already 64-bit native starting in Silo 2.3.
    • The black-window issue on Linux has been fixed, which was caused by European numeric locales. Silo now forces a US/UTF-8 locale on launch. Some distros may still setup the locale incorrectly, so if you use a non-US locale and run into issues, please let us know at [email protected] what distribution / locale you are using.
    • A cut tool crash has been fixed.
    • Alt/option key handling on OS X has been fixed. This fix was made available early in version 2.3.02 for Mac OS X as well.
    • It is now possible to delete empty objects in the scene editor.
    • Exported OBJs should play much better with Substance Painter.
    • Context menu placement on OS X with multi-monitor setups should be fixed.
    • Mac-only: Qt libraries updated to v5.4 for compatibility with Yosemite Gatekeeper requirements.
  • Oso3DOso3D Posts: 15,084

    Any particular reason not to buy the Steam version other than someone not liking Steam?

     

  • nDelphinDelphi Posts: 1,918
    timmins.william said:

    Any particular reason not to buy the Steam version other than someone not liking Steam?

    The answer to that questions will always be someone not liking Steam.

  • KeryaKerya Posts: 10,943

    I wished I could find some nonvideo tutorials for Silo ...

    I grabbed it when it was for $20 in a Macheist bundle, even when I don't have a Mac, but the Windows version was included. I thought it very, very nice when the new version with 64bit came out and my old license unlocked the trial version.

  • nDelphinDelphi Posts: 1,918
    Kerya said:

    I wished I could find some nonvideo tutorials for Silo ...

    I grabbed it when it was for $20 in a Macheist bundle, even when I don't have a Mac, but the Windows version was included. I thought it very, very nice when the new version with 64bit came out and my old license unlocked the trial version.

    I too purchased it in that Macheist bundle, even though I don't have a Mac thanks to the members of this forum who alerted us to the fact that the license works on the Windows version.

    Have you tried searching with: silo tutorial

    I found a lot of nonvideo tutorials, such as:

    http://www.andykinsella.co.uk/tutorials.html

    http://www.free3dtutorials.com/3Dsoftware/silo
     

  • scathascatha Posts: 756

    Just grabbed the 64-bit trial version, will buy if I am satisfied.  :D

  • KeryaKerya Posts: 10,943
    edited December 2015
    nDelphi said:
    Kerya said:

    I wished I could find some nonvideo tutorials for Silo ...

    I grabbed it when it was for $20 in a Macheist bundle, even when I don't have a Mac, but the Windows version was included. I thought it very, very nice when the new version with 64bit came out and my old license unlocked the trial version.

    I too purchased it in that Macheist bundle, even though I don't have a Mac thanks to the members of this forum who alerted us to the fact that the license works on the Windows version.

    Have you tried searching with: silo tutorial

    I found a lot of nonvideo tutorials, such as:

    http://www.andykinsella.co.uk/tutorials.html

    http://www.free3dtutorials.com/3Dsoftware/silo
     

    Thank you!!!!!

    The first one is videos ... the second is not. :o)

    Post edited by Kerya on
  • nDelphinDelphi Posts: 1,918
    Kerya said:
    nDelphi said:
    Kerya said:

    I wished I could find some nonvideo tutorials for Silo ...

    I grabbed it when it was for $20 in a Macheist bundle, even when I don't have a Mac, but the Windows version was included. I thought it very, very nice when the new version with 64bit came out and my old license unlocked the trial version.

    I too purchased it in that Macheist bundle, even though I don't have a Mac thanks to the members of this forum who alerted us to the fact that the license works on the Windows version.

    Have you tried searching with: silo tutorial

    I found a lot of nonvideo tutorials, such as:

    http://www.andykinsella.co.uk/tutorials.html

    http://www.free3dtutorials.com/3Dsoftware/silo
     

    Thank you!!!!!

    The first one is videos ... the second is not. :o)

    Oops, I should have checked the contents of the zip file from the first link I provided.

  • jpb06tjpb06t Posts: 272

    This thread is simply amazing.

  • nicsttnicstt Posts: 11,715
    CypherFOX said:

    Greetings,

    Kyoto Kid said:

    Again if Silo was something like 49$ or 59$ (still tough to handle on my budget) I'd consider it. but 100$ or more for what is apparently "abandonware" is a bit much. Like I said, I feel the 76$ I laid out for Hexagon (on sale) is now misspent funds.

    So...I run Steam (because I play Skyrim on the PC, mainly) so Steam isn't an issue for me, so at $39.99 it definitely fits into the 'consider it', and there's been some strong words of recommendation here.

     

    Thanks muchly!

    -- Morgan

    I'd try blender; saves you $40. Sure it has a learning curve, but there are a lot of free tutorials, including CG Cookie, who also offer paid for tutorials - $40 would help there too.

  • XoechZXoechZ Posts: 1,102

    To me, Blender is a bit like Linux. You have to be a nerd to get used to it... :-)

  • Leo ChenLeo Chen Posts: 697
    edited December 2015

    It is worth...

    Silo,Cheeth3D,Lightwave all are worth...

    C4D is good but pricy...
    Blender is free but good.

    Post edited by Leo Chen on
  • Oso3DOso3D Posts: 15,084
    nicstt said:

    I'd try blender; saves you $40. Sure it has a learning curve, but there are a lot of free tutorials, including CG Cookie, who also offer paid for tutorials - $40 would help there too.

    It depends on what your time is worth. I've heard 'sure it has a learning curve' about a lot of other products, and in many cases I've regretted a purchase because the interface's complexity and nonintuitive nature (unless you think a certain way) made for a sluggish and frustrating workflow. Particularly products with an engineery, CAD-driven approach.

     

    Having to spend weeks, months of my time pouring over tutorials and practice to get familiar with a sprawling, complex, key-driven application? That costs me a lot of money.

     

  • mjc1016mjc1016 Posts: 15,001
    timmins.william said:
     

    Having to spend weeks, months of my time pouring over tutorials and practice to get familiar with a sprawling, complex, key-driven application? That costs me a lot of money.

     

    There are more and more mouse/click driven parts to Blender, now...and with turning on the optional pie menus, even more.

  • FistyFisty Posts: 3,416

    Try demos, arguing the merrits of one modeler vs the other is next to useless.  There will be one that just clicks with you and the others won't.  (And yes, that might be blender, don't discount it based upon what others say before you try it out yourself.)  So try all the reasonably priced and free programs for an afternoon and go with the one that matches your brain best, if it's one of the cheaper ones you'll know it when you find it, if not choose the one that hurts the least.  'Cause if you just need a modeler they'll all work, (well Hexagon will work 7/8 of the time when it's not busy crashing), it's only the extra bells and whistles that differ from one to the next.

  • Oso3DOso3D Posts: 15,084
    Well, I own Carrara, which has been ok. Managing meshes and uv is a little lacking...
  • StratDragonStratDragon Posts: 3,273
    nicstt said:
    CypherFOX said:

    Greetings,

    Kyoto Kid said:

    Again if Silo was something like 49$ or 59$ (still tough to handle on my budget) I'd consider it. but 100$ or more for what is apparently "abandonware" is a bit much. Like I said, I feel the 76$ I laid out for Hexagon (on sale) is now misspent funds.

    So...I run Steam (because I play Skyrim on the PC, mainly) so Steam isn't an issue for me, so at $39.99 it definitely fits into the 'consider it', and there's been some strong words of recommendation here.

     

    Thanks muchly!

    -- Morgan

    I'd try blender; saves you $40. Sure it has a learning curve, but there are a lot of free tutorials, including CG Cookie, who also offer paid for tutorials - $40 would help there too.

    I started when I did not have $ for a modeler or for content. Now I have both.

    Whatever modeler you end up with it can be very liberating.

  • FistyFisty Posts: 3,416

    UVs are in the bells and whistles catagory as a lot of people use dedicated programs just for that.  (Hexagons UV tools exist but are terribad, apparently Blender's are pretty good, I don't know much about the other programs UV options)

  • AtiAti Posts: 9,182
    Fisty said:

    (well Hexagon will work 7/8 of the time when it's not busy crashing), it's only the extra bells and whistles that differ from one to the next.

    Out of curiousity: are any of the Daz PAs using Hexagon?

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