Cinema 4D vs. Maya vs. XSI vs. Lightwave

[robot0 0]

Not to be overly pedantic but, I think you mean Linux right?

 

-gl

 

Good one, had a dyslexic moment there. I started doing 3d work on Wavefront so that kind of stuck with me.

[monovich 0]

Certainly someone must use Lightwave? :-) The TV station I worked at got a Video Toaster way back when, and Lightwave 3D was a part of that. As a result they always stuck with Lightwave. I wanted to get into it as well, being intrigued by it and all, which is why I got a DPS machine and LW7 at home. I got it in a Christmas bundle which included a pantload of tapes, books, magazines, and the like. Then I realized I didn't have the time to try to self-train on it. Something about motorcycles and cameras being more fun than sitting in front of a computer during my free time.

 

I often thought of trying to get into something more intuitive like C4D, but the days of having that kind of hobby money are long gone. Plus, I already spent more money than I should have on a program that I've done very little work with. I don't want to waste it again. It would be nice to actually go thru some of the training materials I have on Lightwave and build a skill set, then see about C4D (and plead with my boss to buy it).

 

Cf

 

I use Lightwave every day. Anything 3d in my portfolio is done with it.

Its strength is in its renderer and 3rd party renderer (FPrime). I can surface, light, and render something pretty damn fast with it.

Its weaknesses are probably in its old core, character animation tools, and maybe viewport speed, although I'm not sure how other packages compare in that last area.

It isn't targeted in any way towards mograph, so sometimes you have to bend it to your will.

I don't switch because I'm generally happy, am deeply vested in plugins, and don't have time to learn something else.

9.6 is a pretty solid app.

[spritelyjim 0]

I've been searching around just to get a good feel of 3D apps and what they are capable of. I found this article, and I think it would be useful to anyone deciding on a 3D app. The writer's english isn't very good, but he seems to be very unbiased and seems to know many 3D apps very well. Anyway, I hope this helps.

 

http://www.tdt3d.be/articles_viewer.php?art_id=99

[guavaman 0]

I love Cinema, but could consider Maya. How is it running on Intel Macs?

My biggest concern is tech support and documentation. There

wasn't much tolerance for newbies a few years ago when I tried it out.

Bad attitude vs Cineversity.

 

I haven't seen anyone using Lightwave or Max in broadcast on this coast.

Edited March 12, 2009 by guavaman

[guavaman 0]

well...with texturing Maya blows C4D out of the water, IMO. the Hypershade is pretty damn powerful.

 

Maya lights are rather nice as well. speaking of which, cinema lights are weak, if you

know anything about real-world lighting.

Edited March 12, 2009 by guavaman

[Exerminator 0]

man sometimes I am a scatterbrain, my advice will confuse you more than anything. I though back to stuff you can do in Maya that C4D can't. Like pasto said the shader network is really great and for doing character animation it rules. Plus maya seems more responsive on a Mac than C4D. Man I'm going to buy Maya now. It's the what is the best software thing,,, neither. It's what you feel works for you.

I'll stop now.

 

try the demos

 

v

 

C4D Rockz man, you can do anything with, a simple and fun workflow that lets you meet deadlines. I have used all 3 but now am hooked up with C4D. Its render engine is a miracle.

[_gl 0]

It also depends on if you have any previous experience. I found the C4D UI tough to get my head around because I had spent a lot of time with Maya, 3DS, and other similar UIs. It made more sense for me to stay with Maya as the learning curve was already pretty much overcome (although I am still finding myself getting frustrated with MR).

 

-gl