i used 3dsm awhile back and got familier with the layout (had no clue what 89% of the bottons did but i knew where they were)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and i was just wondering if maya 6 or cinema 4 or 3d studio max 6 is better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i dont mean better as in a more powerful render machine and such. not better specs. i wont become a pro, i just plan on using it when i have time, maybe a good 0-2 hours a day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3d programs are prolly the most confusing programs i have ever layed eyes on, i understand this. so just post your exp. with a 3d program to help me make a decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i am also getting a digi pad (graphic tablet) and i was wondering if it would be very helpful with 3d modeling and the such. and also would u please post your exp. with your digi pad.

Hey,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the best layout I would say: Blender 3D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's in the beginning very confusing, but when you practise with it, it is really good and understanding. But, it's really really confusing when you start.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Altough would I just learn both Maya and 3DS Max, they both are very good an powerfull. With that those programs you can make almost everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Icky

Cinema4D isnt a bad 3D program either, i made a render with it and i used it in the sig i made for SOTW, you can see the render on the left (not the game render :P)

Here's my opinion. It's biased, as I'm most experienced in Max, and can't personally stand using any other programs next to 3dsmax.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3dsmax

 

 

 

Great modeling abilities, much more beginner-friendly than most other programs, yields clean models, awesome UV tools, great particle systems, and a lot of available plug-ins to improve just about any feature you want. The default r/s is great and pretty quick.

 

 

 

Best of all, using your mouse roller can give you complete control over your view/camera positions and it makes everything MUCH easier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the downside, it's very expensive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maya

 

 

 

A lot like 3dsmax. NURB modeling and rigging is easier (and better, i believe) in this. A little more advanced, less beginner-friendly IMO. Probably the best choice for pro's, not so much as a hobby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More expensive than max at my last check.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cinema 4D + Blender 3D

 

 

 

Modeling abilities are poor imo: much more difficult to use, not as clean, and not nearly as dynamic. Skinning, rendering, lighting, camera positioning, and plugin-availability is much worse than in the two programs mentioned above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The good thing is that they are much cheaper (blender is free). And once you fully learn how the program works (which may take a while) your models may look somewhat cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best choices if all you want to do is basic abstracts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tablet:

 

 

 

Not too useful strictly for modeling, best to save your money for the programs themselves (assuming you'll be buying them?). If you plan on getting into digital painting/drawing (ie: skinning your models with realisticly drawn maps) this is definitely a great choice.

 

 

 

These are costly though, so if you don't plan on getting into drawing/painting they aren't worth it. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope it helps, sorry if everything's a little biased, but after trying all of the programs mentioned above, I strongly believe that 3dsmax or Maya are the best choices.

thanks alot! i appreciate your post alot! it has greatly helped me make a choice.

i agree that the modelling is poor in blender, but in cinema 4d, i completely disagree. it has excellent capablilities.

Maya works well for me. I model occasionally, but it doesn't seem too hard for me; I can produce some pretty good models. As far as skinning goes, I haven't really experimented much with it, so I'm not sure...