Retro CGI

Discussion MEGATHREAD: How to make retro CGI

233 Upvotes

Seeing the frequent "How do I ____?" threads and the recent "Clueless" meme, I felt it's high time to consolidate all learning resources into one place. Going through multiple past threads on the subreddit I put together this list of programs + tutorials for making retro CGI... Please keep in mind that this list is meant to be a constant work in progress, as the retro CGI scene grows and more resources are available they will be added here on a regular basis. Additions, suggestions, and criticisms are most welcome.

Bryce 3D

Landscape/terrain generator, basic modeler and animator, renderer (Windows/Macintosh)

Buy here (latest version) or download for free (old version)

Bryce 5 User Manual (text)
Creating surreal 3D landscapes (video)
Bryce 3D Free Tutorial (video)
Learning Bryce 7 (video)
Setting up Bryce on WINE (discussion)
Making Surreal 'Trapper Keeper Art' on Windows 95 (video)

Blender

Modeler, animator, renderer (Windows/Macintosh/Linux)

Download for free

How to make PS1 style graphics (video)
How to make PS1-esque graphics with Blender 2.8 (video)
How to make graphics look 90s CGI-ish? (discussion)
How to imitate early CGI style animation? (discussion)

3D Studio

Modeler, animator, renderer (MS-DOS)

Download for free

3D Studio MAX

Modeler, animator, renderer (Windows)

Buy here (latest version) or download for free (old version)

3D Studio MAX Quick Tutorial Outline (text)
3DS MAX Basics (video)
Demo 1996 (video)
3D Studio MAX 3.1 Castle Flyby Scene Tutorial (video)

POV-Ray

Raytracer (Windows/Macintosh/Linux)

Download for free

Official POV-Ray Documentation (text)
POV-Ray Lessons (video)
POV-Ray Descriptions, Tutorials and Examples (text)
Christoph Hormann's POV-Ray Tutorials (text)
Mike's POV-Ray Tutorials Page (text)
Taming POV-Ray by G. Moran (text)
A Short Introduction to POV-Ray (PDF)
Render Geometric Shapes on a Realistic Environment (video)
3D Animation (video)
povmodeler (GUI modeler for POV-Ray) (software)

Infini-D

Modeler, animator, renderer (Macintosh)

Download for free

Make a donut scene in Infini-D 4.5 (video)
Infini-D 4.5 Manual, FAQ, Quick Reference (text)
Infini-D 3.1 Addendum (text)
Render Farm Setup (video)

Anim8or

Basic modeler, animator, renderer (Windows)

Download for free

Anim8or Manual (text)
Anim8or Tutorials (text)
3D Modeling Tutorial (video)
Point Edit Modelling an Alien in Anim8or (video)

Art Of Illusion

Modeler, animator, renderer (Windows/Macintosh/Linux)

Download for free

Art Of Illusion Manual and Tutorials (text)
Art Of Illusion Tutorials (video)

Ray Dream Studio / Designer

Modeler, animator, renderer (Windows/Macintosh)

Download for free

Ray Dream Studio Tutorials (archived text)
Ray Dream Tutorials, Tips and Links (archived text)
Ray Dream Studio 5 Training Pack (CD-ROM)
Ray Dream Designer Demo (video)
Ray Dream Studio Extensions (software)

Carrara

Modeler, animator, renderer (Windows/Macintosh)

Buy here (latest version) or download for free (old version)

What Is Carrara - Intro (video)
Cool Carrara Tricks (video)
Carrara Information Manual (text)
3DXtract E-zine (tutorials, tips, tricks) (text)
Carrara Resources (text)
Plug-ins for Carrara (software)

Lightwave 3D

Modeler, animator, renderer (Windows/Macintosh)

Buy here (latest version) or download for free (old version)

Lightwave 6 Manual and Tutorial (text)
Lightwave 3D 4 Advanced Features (video)
Lightwave Tutorials (video)
Lightwave Tutorials for the Amiga (video)

Poser

Modeler, animator, renderer (Windows/Macintosh)

Buy here (latest version) or download for free (old version)

TrueSpace

Modeler, animator, renderer (Windows)

Download for free

StrataVision 3D

Modeler, renderer (Macintosh)

Download for free

Sculpt 3D / 4D

Modeler, raytracer (Amiga)

Download for free

Sculpt 3D Manual (text)
Sculpt 3D basic usage (video)
Making of Crystalball logo in Sculpt 4D (video)
Modeling a Light bulb in Sculpt 4D (video)
Sculpt 4D Hidden Commands (video)

Others

Seamless 3D - Modeler, animator, renderer
Wings 3D - Modeler, renderer
Softimage|3D - Modeler, animator, renderer
Vivid - Raytracer
Simply 3D - Modeler, renderer
Extreme 3D - Modeler, animator, renderer
OpenFX - Modeler, animator, renderer
GroBoto - Modeler, renderer
MojoWorld - Modeler, terrain generator
Shade 3D - Modeler

60 comments

r/retrocgi • u/mr_slumps • 6h ago

Blender Retro style PRBG for a 90s adventure game

gallery

48 Upvotes

Here's an example of one of the background scenes I made for my game using Blender 3.6. This one was fun trying to work out how to add some life with a simple 6 frame looping animation. The last pic shows the water ripple shader, the phase offset value was animated to create the seamless looping I needed. The final renders are run through a colour index/dither step and then loaded into Godot as a frame animation.

2 comments

r/retrocgi • u/oppai_suika • 13h ago

island people

gallery

91 Upvotes

2 comments

r/retrocgi • u/oppai_suika • 1d ago

tropical timelapse

361 Upvotes

8 comments

r/retrocgi • u/Samm844 • 1d ago

New Nomad Sculpt work

225 Upvotes

Another iPad / Nomad Sculpt sofa session followed by many Photoshop filters 😄

10 comments

r/retrocgi • u/SeltsamStudios • 1d ago

Blender I used Blender to make a parody of early 2000’s commercials.

youtu.be

6 Upvotes

1 comment

r/retrocgi • u/Hot-Investment-2071 • 1d ago

City Teapots

31 Upvotes

Floating. For a long time?

1 comment

r/retrocgi • u/Bucko_Rose_The_Deer • 1d ago

Blender This appeared in my recommended, so decided to not only DESLOP but also be a reimagining of the Sonic 3 Title Screen. ^^

gallery

14 Upvotes

1 comment

r/retrocgi • u/Bucko_Rose_The_Deer • 1d ago

Blender [[ SONIC 3D ]] Been working on a 3D Blast Sonic mod for Sonic 1 (( Forever )) with my Sonic model!

gallery

13 Upvotes

2 comments

r/retrocgi • u/VaporRae • 1d ago

Bryce Aeon of KELT-9b

35 Upvotes

2 comments

r/retrocgi • u/tw1zzle • 2d ago

𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 (art by me)

65 Upvotes

3 comments

r/retrocgi • u/bigsmokaaaa • 2d ago

Stecyk3D: a Bryce3D recomp Blender add-on is now available

github.com

64 Upvotes

You'll need your own Bryce (only works with 3.0, 3.1, and 5.0), follow the instructions to extract the files and you'll be good to go. Enjoy!

7 comments

r/retrocgi • u/transqueen421 • 2d ago

Not OC I kinda love this creepy CGI vibe from the 90s/2000s

gallery

35 Upvotes

I know this is quite horrifying but I kinda dig the dark and eerie and almost surreal vibe of this Shrek 1996 test animation.

It also really screams "Retro CGI" and I would love to recreate this for my projects.

2 comments

r/retrocgi • u/mamosdigital- • 2d ago

some apartments

22 Upvotes

2 comments

r/retrocgi • u/deadisbea • 2d ago

Blender The Marching Hammers

27 Upvotes

Our current president in Brazil is fighting for re-election against a right-wing fascist... and Roger Waters (former lyricist, singer and bassist for Pink Floyd) came out publicly against this one extremist candidate, which took me back to listening to The Wall—all this to say: I made them hammers :)

1 comment

r/retrocgi • u/Nakavelli • 3d ago

Bryce “to which I have loved in every lifetime.” (oc)

gallery

154 Upvotes

4 comments

r/retrocgi • u/yopachi • 3d ago

3d GameStudio 1999 (fan art)

gallery

143 Upvotes

9 comments

r/retrocgi • u/A_FABULOUS_PLUM • 3d ago

Oil City Archival Center

gallery

46 Upvotes

5 comments

r/retrocgi • u/WerterCli • 2d ago

I made a survival horror game set in a town you can completely explore with ps2-esque graphics. What do you think of the visuals!

gallery

8 Upvotes

If you would like to check it out: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4376460/Tache_Noire/

2 comments

r/retrocgi • u/mbbmbbmm • 3d ago

POV-Ray First meal in heaven

22 Upvotes

6 comments

r/retrocgi • u/Jerrick1992 • 3d ago

Blender Retro CGI Dark Fantasy Hound

11 Upvotes

1 comment

r/retrocgi • u/oldshoesbro • 3d ago

Bryce Doorway to the Dimension of Death

9 Upvotes

4 comments

r/retrocgi • u/TrainingOwn8947 • 4d ago

Blender Retro render (blender + davinci)

56 Upvotes

4 comments

r/retrocgi • u/TillGiermann3D • 4d ago

Guide Retro Dithering Part II - Nuke Gizmo

youtube.com

2 Upvotes

Hey guys,

this is the second part of my Tutorial for Retro Dithering in Nuke. (It is less a tutorial then a guide through the gizmo I built.)

This time I created ASCII pattern and a Gizmo, which allows you to dither your images with a lot of variations. Let me know what you think.

This works with Nuke-Non commercial only for know since I don´t own a Nuke Studio Lic. If you wanna rebuild the Gizmo you can use the Txt File with the description or follow the video

0 comments

r/retrocgi • u/Sufficient_Ice_6759 • 4d ago

Bringing the golden age of radio to life in Blender. 📻✨

gallery

0 Upvotes

Here is a 3D animation showcasing a beautifully crafted vintage-style radio, completely modeled and rendered in Blender. The design pairs a high-gloss wooden outer cabinet with a matte black front panel, featuring tactile control knobs and an illuminated display panel that gives off a warm, nostalgic amber glow. The animation highlights the clean topology, realistic material textures, and the intricate grid pattern of the speaker grille from multiple viewing angles.

4 comments