ask | dr. root

Yes! There are many Solaris open-source applications you can install on your workstation, but let's take a look at a number of them to get you started:

3D Modeling:

Blender 3D: It's THE open source software for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, post-production, interactive creation and playback; and a Solaris version of Blender 3D is available. The learning curve is a bit steep, but help is at hand from the online knowledge base, the forums and thriving user community on the web. Once you understand how Blender works, you will achieve spectacular results with it -- to get an idea, watch "Elephants Dream", a critically-acclaimed animated short movie that was produced with open source tools only.

Texturing:

GIMP: If you have Solaris 10 installed and if you're running the Java Desktop System, you can find the often over-looked GIMP under Launch > Applications > Graphics. This little gem is an image manipulation program with an arsenal of features that will remind you of Adobe Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro. Adobe Photoshop users often say that GIMP is a bit difficult to learn, but the truth is that once you know where to find the features you're looking for, it's a very user-friendly and feature-packed image manipulation program.

Realtime Video Editing And Effects Software:

Jahshaka: A Solaris version is expected soon, and when it's available, you'll want to give this software a try.... If you're looking for a professional video editing software, you won't need to look any further. Jahshaka comes packed with professional features: editing and adding special effect is done in real time; the animation module is a true 3D compositing and effects system; and you can paint and design on moving videos, create music with all the tools the pros use and work in any format at any resolution -- All this while sharing files, projects and clips with users on your network or around the world. Very handy!

Have a go at Blender and GIMP and let me know your progress with them.