I downloaded Alias Studio PLE 12 (the free educational use version) about a month ago. I'm pretty good at learning software, but I can't get anywhere with Alias. I'm completely convinced it's the least user-friendly software ever devised.

Anyway, the point here - I've used the tutorials provided - the ones that get you through the basics (almost did the one with the avante-garde chair, but the directory it linked to was empty) And I still don't understand.

I don't understand how you're supposed to get from primite gridded cubes and spheres, into something flowing and smooth, like most 3D renderings of cars.

Does anyone out there know of any extra-alias design tutorials, or have any useful information regarding 3D design programs. Am I just using the wrong program or something? I just need a starting point, and the program itself is too opaque for me to decifer on my own.

I really want to learn 3D sculpting, being as computers are definatly my comfort zone.

Thanks.

Hi David

You can use from these links below:
http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1897177143.html
http://www.tutorialized.com/

But i suggest you to use Solidworks MX For your 3d modeling.
After that you can use Catia in your works but i have heared that this software is hard to use in some aspects.
If you have any other question about 3d modeling you can send me an email.

Bye

Hi
Welcome to the world of digital modeling in the car industry !
Yes, Alias is one of the best for car design but also most difficult to learn if you don't know anyone inside the buisness.
Only design school give knowledge to their students and tutorials from alias are most based for design products.
All I can tell basicly is, you must try to make surfaces buy NURBS & do not try to create them by polygone like in Maya or studio MAx.
NURBS is the way to create surfaces in the automotive industry.
It's a long process to get used to studio tools but it pay in return.
I do use studio tools for a year and a half now & it's really fantastic to modeling with it.
Good luck !

Hello David,
I worked with several programms (CATIA, ICEM, Rhino) and also tried the Alias education kit some years ago. I can tell from experience that working with Rhino is easier to start with because the interface is much user friendly then Alias.
First you need to learn how to built a car in 3D; the problem with NURBS is that you can built a car relative quick but the qualitiy of the surfaces is not so good, but you can start there. For Rhino there are several tutorials, for instance:
Car body
tutorials
but the way people built cars is not the right way to do it. The best way would be to build surfaces which intersect and this gives the lines. With NURBS you can use lines and built surfaces form that altough that can create problems in that the surfaces don't connect 100%
So first learn to make cars in 3D (and I suggest to use Rhino for that) and when you are comfortable try and learn Alias

Hugo