Silo 2 for $40 worthwhile?
CypherFOX
Posts: 3,401
Greetings,
Steam is having their yearly holiday super-discount, and Silo 2 is on sale for $39.99. I've tried modeling programs over the years, from 3DStudio (before it was Max), Caligari Truespace , and others through Hexagon. For whatever reason, Hexagon just doesn't make sense for me. How's its interface, comparatively?
Can I get some feedback on whether Silo 2 is worth it at that price, and if it's useful for some basic capabilities like splitting props, fixing normals, and adding morphs to clothes and props?
I recall reading that some of the content artists use Silo to model their products, too.
-- Morgan
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Here is the Silo2.2 UI. Its very user friendly and completely customizable. All the stuff on the right of the screen is custom. I took the this I use the most and created buttons for it.
I'm really enjoying playing around with Silo. It's the first modeling program I've tried that I've had fun with right out of the box. I may never make things good enough to share, but I am making things I recognize.
The only thing different between the copy of Silo that you buy from Steam versus the normal version is that the Steam verison requires to have Steam installed and running in the background (it does have an offline mode) Other then that, there is no difference between them.
I have used Silo to model all the models found in my store including both cars. Silo does what it does very well and that is model. It is not an all-in-one solution like Blender or 3D Studio Max. For what you want to do it will work perfectly
There are plenty of videos on Youtube that will show you the basics of Silo and helo you quickly learn the controls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XGIfGkvPn8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoxZuNQPcQs (any Silo video by Glen Southern is worth watching)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL408hLQAKh3J0wYmDFNRzq99YEcdj5M0P
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s59fsiG2Xw
This is but a few but are really good to get you started
This is a personal post, and nothing official from DAZ, but I would recommend checking the EULA for the steam version. About a month ago they had Modo on a pretty steep discount through steam, and I thought about picking up a copy for myself, however there were pretty heavy limitations on what you could do with it commercially, as well as what file formats you could export in (no .obj).
I'm not saying that is the case with the steam version of Silo, in fact Mattymanx has indicated that it is probably not, but just something that you may want to look into before you drop $40.00
As an aside, I'm silently cursing this Steam holiday sale and what it has done to my poor wallet. I've picked up more games than I will possibly ever play, but I still can't help myself.
I have an older version of Silo and I have Hexagon. To me Silo's UV mapping is neater/better than Hexagon's. Meanwhile to maneuver the view port around in Silo it does take some getting use but it's not bad while Hexagon's tool to spin, zoom and etc are right at the bottom so it's easier to find. Oh and it's super easy to set up material zones in silo.
I've made things in both programs and shared things I made from both programs but I'm finding that it's easier in Silo and the workflow is a little less frustrating. I will keep both because of the various things that I like in each one.
I think I will buy the latest version from Silo's website when I can because I don't want another program on my pc if don't I have to.
Greetings,
I know this is a long shot, but any idea if I can use Silo 2 on the Mac if I get I through Steam?
(And thanks hugely for the screenshots and video links! I'm fascinated by its approach, but I definitely should look into the license yes...)
-- Morgan
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
The Steam version has similar restrictions on commercial usage as they have with Modo.
I tried the 30-day trial of Silo 2.2 from Nevercenter, and even though I've been using Blender for several years, I had tried Hexagon, and even though there were a "couple" of nice tools, I found it extremely flaky on my Win 7 Pro system, where as Silo was a dream.
The only time I found Silo to slow down was when I was modeling a dress for V4 and that, I believe, was owing to my having the full V4 character in the scene. I especially noticed it when UV Mapping the dress. If I'm not mistaken, Silo is a 32-bit app.
That said, the 3 swords and 2 vases I modeled with Silo were a dream to work with. As Frank's screenshot shows, the UI is clean and easy to get around in, and Nevercenter has links to quite a number of tutorials.
My biggest complaint with the Steam version is the need to have their software running in the background, even if there is an offline mode, it still means installing software I'll never use, because those aren't the types of computer games I play.
As for the sale Nevercenter is having now, that's $10 less than what they were offering it at when I tried the trial a couple/three months ago, but still a lot of money for software that hasn't had an update in 5 years. True if something's working right, why tinker with it, but it also tells me Nevercenter has no plans on ever improving it in any way. That is a turn off to me.
Of course this is all just my 2¢, FWIW.
Where do you see this? The product page does not list any such restrictions.
Where do you see this? The product page does not list any such restrictions.
They certainly do have unlimited versions - Substance Designer 4 and B2M have both restricted and full commercial versions on Steam.
I've tried many modelling programs, but have always come back to Silo. I now use it to make all my clothes and models. Yes it does sometimes crash, but not as often as Hexagon!!!
I've used Silo on every pack I have in the store here plus our own store. When Silo first released there was a mac version but I don't know if they kept up with it over the updates.
...the fact that the have been no updates to Silo in the last five and what appears to be none in the future plus the fact it is still 32 bit (with 32 bit memory limitations) make it hard to shell out 99$.
Not interested in the Steam version because of support (and now EULA) questions, having another application taking up processor resources, and the fact I don't do any gaming (particularly not on the workstation).
I consider the 76$ I spent on Hexagon years ago a loss because the programme is still unstable, has poor UV mapping tools, and nothing has been done in the last five years to actually improve/fix it either.
Why can't we get just a good solid stable polygon modelling programme with 64 bit support and decent UV mapping (as well as possibly sculpting), with ongoing development and, support, that also doesn't try to be a "Swiss army knife" application (which does everything from animation to making one's tea and brekkie in the morning) and doesn't cost a couple rather useful limbs?
...my John Cleese rant on the topic.
Wings 1.5.2 is 64 bit, seems quite stable, simple interface, and has had two recent updates. I'm actually learning 3D with it.
The people from SIlo are a three man crew and they shot themselves in the foot for offering free upgrade to purchasers. They found they make more money doing little apps and silo was abandoned. I'm hoping now that they have expanded to selling on different sites other than nevercenter that there may be an update in the future. They obviously didn't drop it otherwise they wouldn't have branched out.
...I just have a hard time looking it's low contrast UI for extended time. On shade of grey on another shade of grey on the tool menus don't work for me. Hexagon's UI is easier to work with for a long period of time, only that I usually don't get very far before it crashes or freezes up.
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.
Greetings,
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
...my concerns are: Steam having to "phone home" from time to time, who handles any support issues that may arise, just what are the EULA restrictions (and who's EULA is it?), "junk" emails for game releases, and having an extra application running in background taking up processor resources (and is it only running when Silo is up or always running no matter what one is doing)?
Well you can always ask steam all of your concerns. I doubt anybody here will be able to answer all of them. For myself I have steam, it does not run in the background when it's not on and i've never received any junk mail.
You can download other color themes and custom buttons for the UI and make you own so it doesn't have the default look.
http://silo3d.com/wiki/index.php?title=Free_Downloads
Also, the non-stem version goes on sale occasionally. I paid I believe $50 for my copy a year ago due to a promotion that Nevercenter was running with Smith Micro and I've seen offers in other promotional emails that I've gotten from being on Smith Micro from being on their mailing list that had it at a discount price.
...Silo's UI looks fine. I was referring to Wings3D.
Daz is currently selling Hexagon for under 20$, even less for PC members. When I first came into this five years ago I believe Hexagon retailed for 149$ (full non sale price). I managed to purchase it on sale using several vouchers and a coupon.
According to that one forum you were on (Miss B) the NeverCenter person said you could just install it to a USB harddrive and it would register/ work without being online with Steam. Is or is not this true for you folks that have it? Also, it says opeating system a minimum would be windows xp, so assuming Windows 7 64 bit it would work?
Greetings,
I bought it. I figure if it kicks my butt to do more core modeling, that'll be a good thing, and the positive comments were all about how it works and he negative are almost all about stuff around it (Steam, abandonment issues, etc.).
And anyway, I have Bryce and Hexagon, so it's not like I don't already use equivalently abandoned software. :)
Actually I have a history of using software that is no longer in active development, but is so damn good I just don't care. The extreme example was one poor fellow who died, and his spouse had no idea how to even update the site to tell people, or pay the domain name fees. Didn't matter, I kept using it (Firehand Ember, the best image viewer software I've ever used, still miss it to this day) for around 7 years after his passing, and 5 after his site finally shut down.
Anyway, I appreciate the comments and input; I've picked it up and I'll try exploring it this weekend.
Thanks again!
-- Morgan
...when I purchased Hexagon and Bryce, they still (supposedly) had a future (considering the price paid for each of them back then). Daz Studio was still fairly "new" and Poser was pretty much the "standard".
thanks for the heads up on the obj export I was thinking on pulling the trigger but that would stop my worlflow without that export, I can get GTA5 for $40 and there's less learning involved.
I went with the 99.00 sale version because my husband (and son) reminded me that when my son used the credit card at Steam to buy a game, my husbands credit card was used to make two purchases at Walmart the very next day. We have anti virus programs (not only Kapersky, but another as well) and that is the ONLY time we have had the credit card problem. So to be on the safe side, I went with the merry99 discount of -50 and got it from nevercenter.com I'm not taking the chance on Steam. Other people use that site, no problem, but my peace of mind is worth the extra cash. (and to keep my husband happy.) It was nice- got the registration number on the checkout page, no waiting for an email (although they sent it right away.) It's download and go.
Not trying to discourage you- just watch your credit card if you used one. This was about six months ago that the credit card was used, and may be just coincidence.
Yeah, because on the flip side, I've been using Steam for years without a problem. If you already buy games through Steam, it's a bit of a no-brainer because it's no different than buying a game to get it.
BTW, you have about 14 minutes if you are going the Steam route for $40.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/100400
totally agree :) But I would feel bad if I didn't mention it (and again, my sons have friends on Steam and they've also had no issues.)
And I shop at Target with my credit card...well, I DID before THAT fiasco.)