[Alikchi]

I like Rhino.

[mikhael]

Originally posted by Stryke 9

And yes. The best modeling package is the most functional. But how many progs have you sampled, before coming to your preference?

Max, Maya, Lightwave, Truespace, every 'budget' 3d package I could find, innumerable japanese 3d packages, and way too many CAD/CAM packages to list.

Of these, I have professional experience with CAD/CAM and professional training with CAD/CAM and Lightwave. I will be taking a class on Max in the fall, as well as one on Maya.

[Corsair]

*looks around*
I like 3D Explorer!

Oh, wait, that isn't a modeller.

*runs*

[Nico]

you were too slow, sorry Corsair

[Corsair]

I've got a hole in my head that's gushing blood but I'm still alive!
*hides*

[LtNarol]

seriously, Truespace isnt all bad, its more comprehensive than Lightwave, max, and blender combined.  Now I'm sure those three are all great programs, i just cant make heads or tails of them.  Rhino and Truespace atleast are simplistic in their use.

[wEvil]

The reason I like XSI is because its one of the newest packages out there, and while it has bugs to be ironed out it will prove, in the next two or three years, to be more hot-pluggable than any existing architecture will be.

Thats why it got my vote - hell, Im still waiting for some decent tutorials or an affordable training center to open up in the UK so I can DO SOMETHING with the damn thing.

But theres' so many levels of argument here that you just can't come to an objective conclusion.

Discussion over, i suppose.

[Executor]

What's the difference between Maya and Softimage? I heard both were high-end and very expensive.

[wEvil]

Maya is the major one used in film atm.

However, its out-of-the-box capabilities are extremely disappointing to say the least.  Its main points of attraction are a large feature set, the MEL scripting language (which is the core of the whole thing, really.  Means if its not in there, you can code it) and its fast openGL viewport performance.  Oh..and the fact A|W just dropped its price like a $2 hoe.

Softimage is attractive because of....everything.  Fast openGL performance, Mental ray, Realtime shader support.  Soft field two products - XSI which is the new one, and 3D which is almost 15 years old now.  Soft|3D is damn scary - dont try to use it because it will put you off 3D for ever.  

Anywya...its too late to write a proper review but stick around a few graphics boards and you'll get the general idea.  XSI is technically superior but market-wise has of catching up to do, still.

[mikhael]

wEvil, I think you like XSI. I'm not sure, but I'm getting this feeling, you know?



I stick with Lightwave mostly. Why? Modelling. I'm not an animator. I'm not a CG artist. Modelling is a hobby for me and one I enjoy. I don't need the crazy extra stuff that's in Maya or XSI (though I'll play with them whenever I get a chance).

[Gortef]

Originally posted by an0n


You're joking, right?

nope. I'm quite new in 3D modeling world and C4D was easy to get into... anyway, there is a best software for everyone, I think C4D is best for me

[Zeronet]

GMAX to the Max ppl. Once the download finishes..

[Styxx]

GMAX is for modelling only, though.

[Stryke 9]

Well, TrueSpace can't be ALL bad... I must say it's a great deal easier to model in than LightWave, and I've seen great pro renders done with it- something that Maya, say, has failed to yield as far as I have seen. Essentially, it's an inaccurate, cheapass prog for those who don't mind a little less control for a little more simplicity and (in some areas) versatility. Frankly, using it drives me up the wall but that's largely because I haven't the foggiest idea how to use many aspects of it while the parts I look for in a modeling program either don't exist or are designed in some fashion which makes them all but useless to me. And it scrambles non-COB models. But I can see people using it as a prog of choice. Lightwave Modeler I can't really; earlier versions of TrueSpace I can't really; POVray and other textual modelers I can't at all... But I judge by results, when I lack a fair degree of mastery over a prog. Lightwave has a history of producing 100% photorealistic renders (if you haven't seen one, you wouldn't believe, it's a religious experience) when in the hands of pros; TrueSpace has produced some gimmicky but nice goodies... All are good for their specific things, though- I'd never use TrueSpace because I'm an accuracy modeler who digs angles and full control over what I'm doing, but it's nice for semi-organics. Lightwave and Carrara are excellent renderers and special-effects processors, but it takes a brave man to model in them (Carrara doubly so); Maya is good (OK, so not in my opinion, but I'm being fair), but only if you're a programmer as well. Ray Dream and 3DS MAX have a fairly limited reportoire of special effects and filters, but give you virtually unlimited power on the modeling end. This sort of topic can help you in finding the best thing for each job you want to. There, you've got a reason not to be objective, happy now?

[Executor]

3D modeling is definitely way over my head. I install Softimage and the first thing it does is complain that my resolution is too low. Shut the hell up! I only have a 17-inch monitor, what do you expect? And I still haven't figured what the difference between "XSI Advanced" & "XSI Essential" is.

Who knew a simple torus could have so many options? Even the Render menu has WAY too many choices for my taste. I also added a cylinder, but when I select Render Preview - All Layers, only the torus shows up.

I tried looking at the help file, but I got the impression that it was designed for people that had at least some idea of what they're doing.

I think I'll stick to playing games, not creating them.

[CP5670]

3D modeling is definitely way over my head. I install Softimage and the first thing it does is complain that my resolution is too low. Shut the hell up! I only have a 17-inch monitor, what do you expect? And I still haven't figured what the difference between "XSI Advanced" & "XSI Essential" is.

Who knew a simple torus could have so many options? Even the Render menu has WAY too many choices for my taste. I also added a cylinder, but when I select Render Preview - All Layers, only the torus shows up.

I tried looking at the help file, but I got the impression that it was designed for people that had at least some idea of what they're doing.  

That's what I thought about 3DS max as well. If only they just let you enter an equation for the Torus instead of all those weird extrusion options...

Although the tutorials are pretty good, I must say. They don't assume you know too much, so I was able to complete the game modeling tutorial pretty easily.