Maya, 3D Max, or Lightwave? - Tech Support Forums

optinox · February 11th, 2006, 02:46 PM

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a software program that would allow me to create 3D, and realistic animations like they use in Movies and proto type characters for games, ect....awhile back someone suggested these 3 software programs, I'm wondering which one is the best as far as 3D, realistic imagery, but something that is up to date with todays technology, BUT fairly easy to learn how to use, I do like challenges but I don't want one that will take a super long time to learn, I'm not looking for something basic/simple I mean a learning curve of some sort would be nice to achieve, any suggestions based on personal use or from other sources please reply back, much appreciated!

pc-grafix · February 11th, 2006, 03:03 PM

I have used all three. They are all three very very excellent programs. They are all three expensive and I think 3DMax tops the list in that regard. Having used all three, I settled on 3DMax. For ME, it was just a LITTLE more intuitive. But rest assured, they each have bit of a learning curve. All three will render very realistic stills and motions. All three have a myriad of available plug-ins to spend a few more mega-bucks on. I have only done character animation using 3DSMax, and it is a challenge to learn how to rig a character for animation, but once you do, the controls are incredible. Can't speak to Maya or Lightwave for character animation, but I would bet there are equally as good. Of the three, I beleive Lightwave is the least expensive, and sometime you can get some pretty good deals on their website.

So, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them for output. It boils down to budget and personal preferece for ease of use.

HTH a little!

Also, there are LOTS of tutes online for free to help you with some basics as well as the tutes that are included with 3DSMax, and I would think the other have just as good of resources available.

Jak Jak · March 11th, 2006, 10:43 AM

I must say i dont' use any of those, i use blender. Blender is freeware which is by far capeable with animation modoling and making games with-out any programing!
Anyway, what a difficult decision! As i am a mac user and i dont' have any money i have
never been on 3D MAX, L-wave and Maya athough i know a little because of 3D world.
Maby L-wave for modoling, Maya for animation and 3D MAX for games
The graphics in the film king kong were made using Maya while Ubisoft made the game with 3D Studio MAX

Hope you make the right decision!

Jak Jak

gentry_joey · March 17th, 2006, 05:25 AM

well if it was for 3d games (which i assume no) then nether is a good choice unless you are rich. But for movie gfx I would say its best to model in 3ds max or lwave then make effects in maya but since we arn't rich and Im going to assume again your not. I actually use 3ds max and I love it. I used l-wave before it was alrite until I found max then I was in love and I haven't touched lightwave since. maya I messed with for 5min before I just assumed again lol I liked 3ds max more. It seemed ugly and harder to learn maya and I just felt modeling/rendering would just be better in max. Max has been around longer as well. I do know its a pain in the ass to get renders to look good but just mess around and you will get it right and learn the functions. Most people actually buy 3rd party renders for serious renders but idk if thats WAY TOO required. Just makes it easier. I do think max has a better GUI and easier learning curve right next to lightwave but lightwave is annoying for a couple reason I can think of. One you must use 2 different apps (they are together) but one is for modeling the other for making scenes. Not my style (unless they recently changed it). Second seems like 3ds max has more stuff on the GUI so things aren't hidden. Most things anyways. There are TONS of tutorials for max prob for lightwave as well. Max comes with tons and they do help. I would reccomend max overall. I am a lil biased towards max tho since that is wat I use but I have seen amazing stuff come from all three.

gunstar · March 19th, 2006, 10:49 AM

I've been using Maxon's Cinema 4D, it's a simpler version of Maya but it's still very effective for what it can do. C4D is a nice way to get into 3D before stepping into the shoes of the big boys. C4D has done many movies too such as the spiderman movies and Dare Devil. Moving from C4D to Maya will be somewhat seamless, just Maya moved it's interface around a bit and renamed some functions.

I haven't used 3D Max but I heard it's easier to model in it but it's easier to animate in Maya. Both programs though have a good rendering engine although again I heard Maya produces the better renders of the two. Maya is used more in movies than 3DS if thats what you're aiming for as Maya is involved in a lot of movies such as Final Fantasy ones.

3DS is used more for modelling which is why it's better for games etc. People tend to make the models in 3DS and tranfere the files to Maya to finish off the job. They're file compatable with each other.

If you wanna try out C4D, then theres a student edition from their website where you can fully use the program but you'll have watermarks on your renders and you won't be able to save in the usual C4D files, instead you get another file type.

WEBSITE for Maxon: http://www.maxoncomputer.com/download_demo.asp

vikeor · March 19th, 2006, 11:21 AM

3ds max seemed to be the easiest to use for me... lightwave is just WAY WAY out there... i looked at the interface and gave up right away :P

never tried MAYA

cryptoguy · March 19th, 2006, 12:24 PM

Man, I just got 3D Max, experimented with it and WOW, that is one tough progam. Photoshop is to 3DMAX as legos are to airplane construction

Vagabond · April 20th, 2006, 09:36 AM

anyone mess with TrueSpace?? I have seen some images produced with it and they look great to me and the price tag is low.

Jeordiewhite · April 20th, 2006, 10:56 AM

I didn't see Bryce or Poser, Daz Studio or even XSI's softimage on the list but atleast Maxon C4D was mentioned, True Space is a good one, haven't been able to try it myself tho. All offer their own uniqueness and often times people aren't limited to just one. While for rendered characters, all have an ability, but some are better suited if your looking to model high resolution models yourself for a game. If maybe you were also looking at artwork with maybe a type of character or animation you like, there are some with a much easier learning curve and offer models you can apply or possibly create anything for those models.
Here's an example of what a program like daz 3d can offer:
http://www.daz3d.com/galleries/index...d=16740&sec=72
http://www.daz3d.com/galleries/index.php?id=16408&sec=

However others, like 3DS Max is often times the most used when it comes to creating your own high resolution models that you can export or completely use yourself. While some people for images often tend to do postwork in things like photoshop, corel paint, and paintshop pro. However with 3DS Max, that isn't an option unless your rendering a scene, but not if you intended to produce models for game design.

27 · April 20th, 2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by optinox

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a software program that would allow me to create 3D, and realistic animations like they use in Movies and proto type characters for games, ect....awhile back someone suggested these 3 software programs, I'm wondering which one is the best as far as 3D, realistic imagery, but something that is up to date with todays technology, BUT fairly easy to learn how to use, I do like challenges but I don't want one that will take a super long time to learn, I'm not looking for something basic/simple I mean a learning curve of some sort would be nice to achieve, any suggestions based on personal use or from other sources please reply back, much appreciated!

Blender 3D.
Legally free and as good as the others
http://www.blender3d.org/cms/Home.2.0.html

Free download and free guides to learn to use it.