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I want to make an app for 3D modeling on iPhone/Android. I cannot get the basic idea of how to get started.
I have various options such as learning OpenGL ES, UDK or Unity3d but I want to create models(e.g architecture etc) in my app and then render them when user is finished modeling. I do not know if I am able to design models and then render them in the same app with various effects on the iPhone/Android using UDK or Unity3d.
(Note: If you find this question unclear please ask, I may have skipped some vital information).

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Do you mean that you want to export the created model from iphone and android and then use it some where else or you just want to take snap of it when done or anything other than these 2. – robin Feb 2 '12 at 5:05
This question is both extremely vague and broad, and it's not clear exactly what is being asked. Voting to close as not a real question. – Jonathan Hobbs Nov 7 '12 at 23:56

2 Answers

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If you are going cross platform it may be worth checking out mono for android and monotouch first; Xamarin.

If you are going to be rendering 3D objects then your best option is simply to learn OpenGL for these devices. UDK and Unity3D are very useful, but they are mostly aimed at games and may not offer the kind of control you would like.

If you want the app to provide a model editor then it would make sense to tie this in with your rendering system anyway, although you may concider breaking up the task into two or more applications as this may allow your work to be used to solve a wider range of problems.

You should look into using vertex buffers as it sounds like this is what you want. Basically these are arrays of points in 3D space which can be coupled with other information, such as indices, to define a model which can then be rendered by your device. If your editor allows you to work on these structures then it wouldn't take much effort to extend your app to allow for users to import models made in other packages as well, as all you have to do is load the file into a vertex buffer as well.

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Thanks. I want to build a model editor having support for designing models along-with lightning and textures etc. I want to know how much effort will be needed and more importantly is it possible or not to build a renderer that will present my models moreover a complete scene filled with different models etc. – Manixate Jan 31 '12 at 18:19
Making a full modelling system would be a very large amount of work if you want to implement the basic tools an artist would usually be expecting. It is here that you'll have the biggest problem as each tool will add a new set of challenges. But it essentially comes down to manipulating a vertex buffer. You can have as many as you want and can render all of them at the same time. For an editor it would be advisable to have one buffer per mesh. You should look up more information on working with vertex and index buffers. – OriginalDaemon Feb 1 '12 at 0:05
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Take a look at mind3d for android. Its an open source 3d engine for android that uses opengl through java. The wiki and documents havent been updated for a while but there has been some added functionality such as the ability to use 3d file types like obj and 3ds and a few others. I know you want to create your own 3d modeling tool on android but take a look at the source of the engine and that should at least give you an idea of where to start.

http://code.google.com/p/min3d/

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