Originally Posted by
Gamerprinter
3D design is a different kind of animal entirely compared to 2D graphics/mapping. The first time I started using 3D (20 years ago), it took me a week to grasp the basics - working in 3D space, in today takes a little to wrap your mind around. I use a relatively simple, FREE, subdivisional surface modeler to create my objects, because it's based on Nichimen Nendo, which I used for 10 years, so I'm familiar/comfortable with using it. It does not apply textures, lighting or renders, I require another program to accomplish that. Although I use Vue Creator now ($20/mo. subscription), I ought to use Blender 2.8 which is free, but uber-complex, so a bit intimidated now, but I should use it. Believe it or not, but all my objects in this thread (except the land which is done using Vue), began as a cube, cylinder or sphere, more rarely using octoids, icosahedron and geodome, but I begin using primitive shapes and through extrusions, insets, rescales and subdivides, I can create whatever is in my imagination and skill to accomplish it. Like anything else, it takes some practice to get the hang of it, 3D is not always intuitive, but once you get it, you can do a lot - even useful for creating complex objects for a map.
I wouldn't use 3D with fantasy, but sci-fi seems a good fit for using it, and why I am.