3D Programs

[emilypants 0]

Ok, so as a recent grad of undergrad I'm finding that most motion graphics postings require knowledge of 3D. While I did do Maya for a bit (still have the program, version 7.0), I remember it being pretty difficult.

What I need from you experts out there is an opinion: if I'm going to head back into the world of 3D, which program should I invest my time into? I know different ones are good for different things, if anyone could give me advice I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks so much mograph!

[Duder 0]

Most mographers here use whatever tools they have or feel comfortable using or are forced to use.

 

From the looks of it, Cinema 4D is a favorite here.

[destro 0]

3D motion graphics made fast = C4D.

[Beaver 1]

C4D

[javier g 0]

if you are on windows, 3ds max is my favorite by far, lots of plugins, support, tutorials etc, i love it

 

anyway c4d is getting stronger as time goes by, and is multiplatform.

 

is there maya too

[dan_hin 0]

c4d for fast, good looking reliability.

 

Maya for "in the right hands, can do anything"

 

Blender for "training wheels 3d"

[coppa 0]

Maya can be amazing but you´ll have to be prepared to spend 6 months to finish something and to loose your sanity

It needs a total rewrite !

 

I recently tried C4D and i was truly impressed ( very different from the 2003 Cinema 4d )It´s intuitive , fast and reliable!

So my advice goes to Cinema 4D

 

[philmadelphia 0]

yea it seems that mostly everyone uses C4D as far as this forum goes. There's always postings for C4D questions and tutorials, and everyone's reel has C4D in it... I went to a interview recently and the guy told me to know Maya and Lightwave... but he was a CEO and isn't in the motion graphics world...

 

Right now I know Blender pretty well... and I spent a month or two on Maya PLE... but I think I'm gonna get C4D and get to know that as best I can because it seems like its what everyone uses...

 

Either way, I think no matter what 3D software your getting into, the skills you learn, the workflow, and the concepts you learn in one program can be translated to another pretty quickly... just a matter of finding where things are.

[Guest Sao_Bento]

c4d for fast, good looking reliability.

 

Maya for "in the right hands, can do anything"

 

Blender for "training wheels 3d"

Don't interpret this post to mean that Blender is a good place to start learning 3D. The only thing you're going to bring with you from Blender to another 3D app is a basic understanding of 3D concepts (polygons, nurbs, cameras, etc.). Learning a 3D app is a huge investment of time, so it's wisest to learn something that people use for professional work - which varies, depending on your field. I've never heard of a game, motion graphic, or movie studio that has a workflow based around Blender, so think hard before you start down the road of memorizing that interface.

[_gl 0]

C4D arguably has the cleanest path to and from AE as well so factor that into your decision. Also, CStools is a real asset to C4D (still astonished at what Chris has offered to the community).

 

As someone who has a lot more Maya experience than anything else, I can tell you that if you want you a detail oriented set of tools, Maya is for you. If you want something that gives you 80-90% of that detail and is more intuitive, C4D is a great solution.

 

-gl

[Beaver 1]

Maya and Max, though powerful, were designed at a time when 3D artists were nearly programmers. C4D flipped that concept on its head and came up with a great program that was geared toward visual folks. All you need to do is compare Hypershade* with C4D's material editor to see that.

 

Not to say mastering C4D doesn't take a lot of technical learning, but getting off the ground is much faster. Maya and Max may never catch up with C4D's usability because there's too much resistance from the existing user base.

 

If you have any doubts about the adoption of C4D in major studios, or the programs capabilities, just check the ever growing list of awesome shit in Maxon's customer stories area.

 

*Tums, beer, and hard drugs are recommended during frequent use of Hypershade.

[pixel_pimp 0]

I think this is the problem with this forums software. It needs a better search. I don't mean to rude to the poster. It just seems that this forum software allows for to many redundant posts and makes it hard to search. I mean why do you need mograph.org? Is Drupal a better system? I don't know.

 

I just feel that there is a lot of really great knowledge on this site that is hard to get too.

 

C4D if you are a designer and want to get into 3D, with the option to do great work if you message the application.

 

Maya around 3D heavy weight Film, Games, Mograph, learning curve but once you are in it is gravy

 

MAX, XSI kinda the same as maya but PC only so that designer part of it is lacking since you can't design on a PC.

[dan_hin 0]

MAX, XSI kinda the same as maya but PC only so that designer part of it is lacking since you can't design on a PC.

 

guffaw

[RAZ 0]

I second the "guffaw" about not designing on a PC. I'm all Mac, but really...?

 

My two cents:

 

Coming from learning Maya and using it extensively with Shake. For visual effects, I say go Maya. For motion graphics, C4D is the way to go.

 

C4D's ability to play with After Effects is so much more intuitive then Maya (import Maya camera data into AE...it can be done but I dare you not to curse at your monitor in the process), and even creating motion graphic elements (cough 3D strokes cough) or hell...even 3D text just WORKS in C4D versus having to go through hoops to accomplish the same things in Maya.

 

If you're on a Mac and have to go with a new app aside from Maya, I'd say check into C4D. On a PC, maybe C4D or 3DSMAX. Never used Max myself, but I like some of the things I've heard about it.

[Guest Sao_Bento]

I second the "guffaw" about not designing on a PC. I'm all Mac, but really...?

 

My two cents:

 

Coming from learning Maya and using it extensively with Shake. For visual effects, I say go Maya. For motion graphics, C4D is the way to go.

 

C4D's ability to play with After Effects is so much more intuitive then Maya (import Maya camera data into AE...it can be done but I dare you not to curse at your monitor in the process), and even creating motion graphic elements (cough 3D strokes cough) or hell...even 3D text just WORKS in C4D versus having to go through hoops to accomplish the same things in Maya.

 

If you're on a Mac and have to go with a new app aside from Maya, I'd say check into C4D. On a PC, maybe C4D or 3DSMAX. Never used Max myself, but I like some of the things I've heard about it.

Another thing that's been said a lot around here, but bears repeating is that , because learning a 3D app is huge investment of time and usually a fairly substantial financial investment, you should really research the companies that make the software and think about who you want to enter into a long-term contract with. It seems a little over-the-top, but because you spend so much time and money on 3D, learning something then having the company drop support for your OS or go out of business is quite a big deal.

[Colin@movecraft 0]

Was curious. This was actually the 12th post on mograph.net. the advice hasn't changed much.

 

http://mograph.net/board/index.php?showtopic=117

[javier g 0]

i highly doubt that posting this questions turns in a definitely right choice.

 

most opinions are biased towards wich app one like the most, personally i started with max, i do mograph, not uber complicated modelling then i tried c4d and just didn't like it.

say that maya, max and xsi are kinda the same, obviously that guy have not used 1% of those apps.

[C.Smith 0]

C4D sucks.

[states 0]

early on, i went with Max and never regretted it. Excellent & fast integration with AEX via the MAx2AE plugin/script, tremendous flexibility and MentalRay built-in... oh... and for some peculiar reason, i do find the gui much easier & more intuitive than C4D's...

[SaintEfan 0]

just my 2cents:

 

If you just want to get a handle on 3d concepts and a general understanding of how it all works I think that C4D would be a great place to start. I'm a Maya specialist, but I do enjoy the ease with which I can accomplish certain things or rapidly mock up a shot in C4D. Unless you are interested in character animation or advanced scripting and custom pipeline integration I don't think you need to go out of your way to learn Maya. Once you get a grasp of 3d itself and the concepts behind it you may want to checkout the personal learning edition (free) of Maya just to be familiar with the way it works and the interface in case you need to use it at a studio someday.

 

Good luck!

[the_Monkey 8]

C4D sucks.

Oh yea?

I bet you feel pretty stupid after that night we got high on peyote and you insisted on getting that third eye implant.

Let that be a lesson kids about the impermanence of software allegiance.

 

 

 

-m

[C.Smith 0]

Oh yea?

I bet you feel pretty stupid after that night we got high on peyote and you insisted on getting that third eye implant.

Let that be a lesson kids about the impermanence of software allegiance.

 

 

 

-m

 

LOL. awesome. The chicks love it though.

[anthonyc 0]

true 3d is the use of construction paper and glue. try that suckers!

[magictea 0]

which program should I invest my time into? I know different ones are good for different things

this line makes me think you understand the deeper question as opposed to the usual "which 3d program is best" type thread starter. Thats like asking which tool is best a hammer or a wrench. As others have said cinema 4d is probably the best option for you given you're coming from a design angle, it has the most adobe-like interface and integrates very well with photoshop/aftereffects. Unless you've got a real desire to get into high end post-production/special effects.

[emilypants 0]

Wow, thank you everyone for posting!!

Sorry to ask redundant questions, but I really wanted to make sure I was getting specifically 3D answers & which one is best for specific work. So thanks for responding regardless!!

 

Plus, hey, software changes all the time and unless you're immersed in that culture & know the latest news (not me) it's hard to keep up on new developments. Plus plus since software is soooooo expensive (especially for a new grad with over $40,000 in debt!) and sooo time-intensive I am really glad you guys gave me such fantastic advice.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!