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44 Comments
- str3ama, on 10/10/2007, -1/+20Freeware is not the same as open source. Freeware is software released entirely for free, but the source code remains closed (so you can't tweak or adjust and recompile the program). While Open Source can be both free or paid, but the source code is obviously open and thus can be adjusted, changed and recompiled. Freeware can contain spyware (spies on you) or adware (shows ads so as to monetize). Open source can have either, but its sorta pointless since the nature of having source open to the public means that everyone can see what is in your code, including spyware/ads whatever.
Items on this list are mixed up between the two. - vonskippy, on 10/10/2007, -1/+10What the ***** is lifehacker.BIZ
Too stupid to come up with your own web name???? - DimensionalPunk, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7I'm a Maya user, former 3DS and Lightwave user, and every time I try to learn Blender my head almost asplodes. I really want to like it, but it's too counter intuitive for me. I guess it boils down to that Blender isn't fun to learn. For me, Maya is fun to learn. I'm sure I'll try Blender again sometime.
- DiggaDave, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Wordpress Error. Down after 3 minutes on the front page
- DiggaDave, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Google got it http://www.google.com/search?hs=sUq&hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&q=cache%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Flifehacker.biz%2Farticles%2Fbest-freeware-design-software%2F&btnG=Search
- Burritoboy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4An absolutely valid point of view. Having been a long term max, lightwave user I can see exactly where you are coming from. But today blender is the only 3d software I use professionally. The interface, once learned, gets out of the way and you can work really fast. Nodal materials and compositing make this stunning software.
BB - polyGone, on 10/10/2007, -4/+8Being a Maya and 3DS user, I have to say that Blender has been growing on me. I had trouble getting used to the controls, but it is a surprisingly capable piece of software. I use it on a 733mhz laptop running FF and it works fine. I have to say, Max or Maya would not even come close to functioning on that machine. It also exports to .obj, .3ds, and others, so I can work on models when I am out. It is definitely worth checking out, if you want to take a peek into 3d.
- cl0n3x, on 10/10/2007, -7/+11I would put these programs in the following catagories:
ThankyouMrObviousware
Crapware
For the ones that aren't crap, everybody who's done a search for "free/open source software" knows about these. - agenthamsta, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Only time any of these big time companies are going to chase the smaller fish downloading their applications from torrent sites is when they have solid proof that a profit is being made. Most companies could care less about single users because Studio "x" is buying 100 licenses of $$,$$$ sofware.
Not that I'm condoning the use of pirated software, but I doubt theres going to be much action taken. - firebhaal, on 10/10/2007, -7/+10thepiratebay.org all the freeware I need
- spect3r, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Sorry to hijack, but thought I would post this as well
http://digg.com/software/The_ultimate_list_of_open_source_software - tdous, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I'd you'd be so kind as to compile a list of all the things that you already know, then we can all carefully avoid forcing you to re-read things like this. I apologise to you on behalf of, well, everyone.
- WoollyMittens, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2You'd be surprised about the amount of people who don't even know free software exists. So while itmay be obvious to you, it's kind of selfish to keep it all to yourself.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Getting struck by lightning sucks too, but it aint gonna happen.
- Arramol, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I've actually known of at least one case where a guy started a business using pirated software, then used the money he made to buy a legit copy of said software. That's $5,000 the software vendor wouldn't have had if it weren't for piracy.
- Kyderdog, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Google sketchup ROCKS!
- Atomic1fire, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3until you get cought (unless your using products legally spread by torrent)
- DMoney16, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Yeah, I know, I had blender working on my old dell with an intel celeron and no graphics card just fine. Blender is awesome once you know all the shortcut keys.
- WoollyMittens, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3As long as I don't have to pay for it. Free (as in beer) design software is rare as it is. Striving for free (as in liberty) is a little much to ask at the moment.
- ZekeSulastin, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Because every graphics designer is also a skilled programmer, right?
Amazingly enough, just because a piece of software is open source does not mean that it is the end-user's duty to make the program what they want. If I am a graphics designer with little to no programming experience, I would much rather just pick the tool that's right for me, i.e. Photoshop over Gimp rather than being forced by the OSS zealots to make Gimp do what I want and expect. If you CAN tweak the program on your own, that's great! Just realize that most people can't. - tdous, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Who knows. It's worth getting angry about though, definitely.
- MrSunshine, on 10/10/2007, -3/+5GIMP is one of the worst freeware programs. The author should drop it from the first place in his list.
- digitalranger, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2You missed an option - If you don't think the open source applications are up to scratch then roll your sleeves up and contribute to the projects to help make them what you want them to be.
It just so happens that I do care about ease of use and quality - and I exclusively use FLOSS applications. In fact the only big proprietary thing I use is XP, and that is getting replaced with Kubuntu as soon as I get the time. - mrthebunny, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Not everything on that list is freeware...
Serif DrawPlus is 100$ !
Though the list points to version 6, no longer available, that has been replaced by version 8. - stevenvh, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2POVray 's missing
http://www.povray.org - Scatropolis, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I'm not sure what's mentioned but I'm sure most are the same as on http://www.thefreesuite.com/
- Panthro83, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1There isn't one
The list title is incorrect, they do no list a single CAD replacement. - DoMifer, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Very good point. I'll admit that I started using quite a bit of pirated software back in high school. Now that I'm doing professional work and have the money, I've been buying a lot of the software I used to pirate.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1ahh crap work
- Cyclonic, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1thanks! Some of the downloads need to be filtered out cuz they suck but most of the links on their are greats programs.
- Arramol, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I've found that Anim8or is a really good alternative for newcomers (http://www.anim8or.com ). The interface is really simple, makes it easy to pick up and learn. Rendering engine isn't as advanced as some others, but you can still get some decent stuff:
http://www.anim8or.com/gallery/gallery17/image6.html
http://www.anim8or.com/gallery/gallery15/image3.html
This one was a must for the Digg crowd:
http://www.anim8or.com/gallery/gallery15/image14.html - JorgeGT, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Companies actually are interested in that. If you become adapted at a certain pirated product, chances are that you will BUY that precise product when you have the money, or when you set up a professional studio, or when told by your boss to purchase a product of that class.
- str3ama, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1that's not true at all, it's just that the free alternatives do not have million dollar advertising campaigns like their competitors - Adobe can drop down a huge chunk of cash to promote its latest paint program, but it's not like Gimp can really do that seeing as how its open source as well. And not all freeware is good, it can contain spyware or ads, free doesn't always mean better. However open source usually does..
- agenthamsta, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Alot of studios are turning to blender for alot of pre-visualization (pre-vis) projects. Honestly blender is a hassle to learn, while powerful with the open source endless capabilities it would be hard to fit into a production pipeline. For smaller studios or freelance artist I would see how this little app could work wonders, but don't think this is going to flood any animation studios anytime soon.
Hell even the program we use everyday at work (lightwave) causes problems of it's own, but we have to admit that with our pipeline it is the best solution. So it's really not a matter of how good a program is but how well it fits into production pipelines time frames and budgets of projects.. - OwdenBowden, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1not a hijack when you are contributing similar items.
- WoollyMittens, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I just used that font-renamer on our font-junkyard. Wow, is that ever a useful tool. =D
- insanebrain, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1unFreez for animated gifs . . .SUCKS. .. I tried it.
- lkms, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1since its down can anyone tell what do they propose as AutoCAD replacement?
- cbergeron, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2Nothing will ever beat Sopwith.
Those little planes/tanks and UI were the greatest ever. ;) - dcpweb, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0thanks for the links - very useful for web development and graphic design.
p shah - http://www.dcpweb.co.uk - flammatappa, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1There's plenty of nice work being done with blender. Just go check it out http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/ . As for saying that it's a hassle to use, I was able to pick it up way way faster than Maya and SoftImage. Also, check out the work by my buddy Bassam at http://www.elephantsdream.org/ . Beautiful work and their pipline was great and efficient.
- ganjacide, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1somehow i read this as, Best Freeware to Design Software.
imagine that. - titansfan4life, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1it is down
- airtran, on 10/10/2007, -6/+1Already knew about these, but anyway, great list.
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