If you've ever fancied trying your hand at creating 3D models on your PC (you have?), but you've held back because of the cost and/or complexity of the available software, this little package might be of interest. Organica uses a building block approach to the creation of 3D models, and it's an approach that seems to work stunningly well, since even we managed to pick up the basics in about ten minutes.

On launching the program, the user is presented with top, front and side elevations, together with a rendered image showing how the finished object will appear. Initially there's nothing in any of these windows, of course, but a quick start is provided by the 25 sample object shapes listed along the top of the screen. These include cylinders, spheres, barrels, wedges and numerous other geometric oddities. After selecting a shape by clicking on it, that object can be dropped into any of the elevation windows, from where it can be moved, re-sized, and rotated in any plane. More advanced features include shearing, stretching, tapering, bending and twisting, so it's possible to create quite complex models using the 25 basic shapes.

Objects can be created, deleted, hidden or revealed, and collected together in groups as necessary. What's particularly fascinating is the way the rendered image updates as soon as you manipulate one of its component objects, so it's easy to see the effect each operation will have without having to wait ages to see the result. Finished models can be saved in Imagine, Lightware and 3D Studio formats, or combined as animations.

With no understanding whatsoever of 3D modelling, you'd be well-advised to steer clear of Organica; it's simple but not that simple. However, for those with a genuine interest in creating such models, this is definitely a far more accessible program than the well-known titles such 3D Studio. Its scope is consequently rather more limited than the mainstream products, but if nothing else Organica provides a useful grounding in the way 3D objects intersect.

It's fascinating to see how relatively simple 3D objects can be combined to produce complex objects. Professional 3D artists will find Organica a little too restrictive, but there's a lot here for novices and, in particular, students.