I want a new 3D program. But which one?

David of Mac

As those who have been following my personal story know, I just got a new computer. They may also know I use a somewhat outdated program, Ray Dream Studio 5.5, to work with 3d.

Thanks to the new computer, we can scratch the "somewhat" part.

The main problem is the fact that it quits itself without mercy or warning for no readily apparent reason. It always did this once in a blue moon on my previous machince, but now it happens almost every half-hour, and it causes me to give up in frustration for a week, then to try again.

So far, on this new machine, I've done two renderings. Of the same scene. And they aren't even particularly good since they were done in fits and starts.

So now, I want out. Is there anyone willing to give me an idea of a good program, prefferably one with some sort of downloadable demo, so I can figure out my next course of action. Thank you all.

Biggles

I don't really know what's available for Mac, but MAYA is damn good from what I've seen if you can afford the huge price tag. Next one down I would go for would be Lightwave3D (obviously). Then it's a tie between trueSpace and 3DSMax. trueSpace is far cheaper, but 3DSMax doesn't exactly have the world's best rendering engine, in my opinion. It does modelling excellently, but renders just don't look as good.

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[b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

PJH

Well, I'd suggest Newtek's Inspire 3D, which is Lightwave's little brother, or Truespace if you aren't ready to spend big bucks for it. Otherwise I would suggest getting Lightwave, or 3DSMAX.

- PJH

David of Mac

I probibly would be getting Inspire, but apparently, Newtek has discontiued it and the latest version is based on Lightwave 5. So I would be missing out on some year's worth of advancements. I think I'm leaning toward something in the Lightwave family, either an older version or Inspire.

JackN

There is a MAJOR difference in the Lightwave program from version 5.6c to 6.x/7.x

This is why Newtek discontinued Inspire.

If they decide to do a scaled down application of the newest versions remains to be seen.

Even at $2500, Lightwave 7 is a tremendous value, if you can afford it.

Older versions are getting hard to find because so many people want them for their upgrade paths to Lightwave 6.5 and 7.0

Don't wait too long...

[img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif[/img]

David of Mac

See, and that's the problem with it. A few weeks before I got my new computer, I E-Mailed Fabio Passaro about the learning curve to Lightwave, as he's the only person I know who has used Ray Dream and Lightwave.

Sadly, he was apparently too busy to reply. I have this image of me getting a reply when I'm in my thirtys, with a little note at the bottom saying "Please excuse the lateness of my responce." And maybe not even that, as I forgot to include the portrat I made of him.

In any event, I'm probibly going to end up trying to weasle my way out of paying full price somehow. Yes kids, I've decided that I want Lightwave, primarily so I never have to convert and texture another damned model again!

So, now I would appreciate ways to get the software for cheap, and comments on the learning curve and interface, with bonus points going to those who can provide comparisons to Ray Dream Studio, or any of it's prior differently named incarnations.

PJH

Well David, I don't know about Ray Dream, but you don't have to worry about the learning curve as LW is very easy to learn thanks to its excellent interface and easy to use and logically named tools and functions. IMO LW is pretty much as easy to learn and use as it can ever be.

And to help in the learning the web is full of excellent LW tutorials. Plus there are a number of excellent and fairly cheap books you can buy. [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]

- PJH

David of Mac

Great. You've converted me. Now, I must investigate ways to procure such software that doesn't involve me eventuly being damned by the software licence gods. This'll be easy.

Biggles

Get an academic edition if you can. I don't know exactly what kind of student you have to be, but it'll save you $US1800. [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]

------------------
[b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

PJH

I believe you actually have to be studying computer graphics to be able to get the academic discount.

- PJH

David of Mac

Well, anyway, it's all academic (yuk, yuk, yuk) anyway, because we're a bit tight in the pockets as a result of the Holidays. But I'll still keep my eye out for a copy of something Lightwaveish on, say, ebay.

PJH

Buy the way, you might want to be aware of [url="http://www.sharbor.com/"]Safe Harbor[/url]. [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]

Btw #2, I just realized that you can get LW WAY much cheaper if you first buy Inspire 3D and then the upgrade to the LW 7. Inspire is $369 and the upgrade to LW 7 is $995 making a total of $1364. If you buy LW 7 straight it's $2250. You can save $886 if you buy Inspire first and then upgrade to LW 7.

I don't know why the pricing is like that, but so it seems to be, so you can use that in your advantage. I'm recalling that earlier you had to pay the full price difference between Inspire 3D and LW if you upgraded.

I also noticed that if you purchase the Inspire 3D to LW 7 upgrade from Safe Harbor you'll get Dan Ablan's Inside Lightwave [7] book for free! And the earlier version Inside LW [6] for 10 bucks if you include it in your order. And it's a very good book what I've heard of. [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]

- PJH