Links to 3D Sites

The major 3d Packages and links to their demos

Autodesk - 3D Studio Max - http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/mform?id=10083915&siteID=123112
(Strengths: Architectural Visualization, game asset creation)

Autodesk - Maya -
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/mform?siteID=123112&id=9432085
(Strengths: Character Animation, great for cinema type work)

Cinema 4D - Maxon
http://www.maxoncomputer.com/download_demo.asp
(Strengths: great for cinema work, excellent integration with after effects)

Lightwave 3d - NewTek
(well, I'd provide a link, but they don't seem to think you need a demo)
(Strengths: well rounded package, least expensive, good for low budget and quick turnaround)

Blender - Open Source
http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/
(Strengths: Free. (did I mention Free?)) This package gets better and better all the time.
If you are just starting out I'd suggest trying this before making a huge investment.

XSI - Softimage
http://www.softimage.com/downloads/XSI_Trial/default.aspx


Other packages worth mentioning:

Modo - Luxology
http://www.luxology.com/trymodo/
Excellent modeling package. These guys originally created Lightwave but Left NewTek to create a new company to concentrate on this program.

Z-Brush - Pixologic
http://www.pixologic.com/zbrush/trial/
3D Sculpting

RealFlow - NextLimit
http://www.realflow.com/n_try.php
Fluid Dynamics

Sorry if I missed anything, but there's a list of the major players off the top of my head.
 
Last edited:
nobody have really give websites about maya. Maya cost a lot of money, does anyone think that I should learn Blender instead of shelling out money for Maya?
 
Maya is a pretty high end program. Very powerfull and bloated with probably more features than you'll ever use in any given year for any given job.

Blender is free and capable but isn't as capable in the broad spectrum of things. It may very well be fine for you.

To get the very most out of Maya you should probably enjoy writing code, or have some programming experience, because in the end you'll need to write your own shaders or routines, or depend on a lot of other people to write them for you.

I personally find Maya a working mans program. In that Maya gives you the bed work and then you write custom code to bring it to the level you want for your specific needs. It's very versatile that way.
And I don't claim to be an expert by any means. Just my opinion.

Out of the box, you still have a steep learning curve, imo.

Again, it depends on your needs.
 
Gord.T said:
Maya is a pretty high end program. Very powerfull and bloated with probably more features than you'll ever use in any given year for any given job.

Blender is free and capable but isn't as capable in the broad spectrum of things. It may very well be fine for you.

To get the very most out of Maya you should probably enjoy writing code, or have some programming experience, because in the end you'll need to write your own shaders or routines, or depend on a lot of other people to write them for you.

I personally find Maya a working mans program. In that Maya gives you the bed work and then you write custom code to bring it to the level you want for your specific needs. It's very versatile that way.
And I don't claim to be an expert by any means. Just my opinion.

Out of the box, you still have a steep learning curve, imo.

Again, it depends on your needs.
Click to expand...
I do have some programming experience in java and actionscript and I do like coding. And I been using Maya for a while so I guess I should stick to Maya because I may want to work with professional in the future. But man that pricetag...
 
Yep, that price tag. That's extremely hard to justify unless one is making money with it.

Maya used to have a PLE version, 8.5 I think was their last. It's supposed to be for non commercial work. It's too bad they discontinued the PLEs.
I think I may still have a copy of it kicking around here if your interested. I could have a look for it but no guarantees. They were free when they were put out so I assume it's still legal to use.

edit// I understand that the PLE's are no longer legal since thier license has expired. Too bad.
http://forums.epicgames.com/threads/717326-Is-Maya-8-5-PLE-still-legal
 
Last edited:
well I been using the maya student version, and that version is free. I'm not making money with Maya, but I'm probably gonna use it for the rest of my life so I think I'll stick with the best. How are they sold though? do you know if it's like Adobe, I can just buy once and get it over with or is it different?
 
They have subscriptions and upgrading that are a lot cheaper than an outright purchase.
Probably the best way to go. I don't know the specific details about upgrading a student version.

The info is on their site.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=17662508&siteID=123112

My version is about 5 or 6 years old and never been upgraded. It's good enough for me. It's 32 bit and still working, I think. I don't even have it installed on my new PC yet so I'm not even sure. I hope it still works.
 
I'm just barely starting to learn 3d and I'm focusing more on trying to learn how to draw to model better. Wow there use to be a vfx contest? I still don't get what all the dvx contest is about. Care to explain?
 
What is your desire? You mention that you want to focus on drawing and modelling better. That's what I'm focusing on right now.

The dvx contest is a fest for film makers and 3D animators. It's free and all entries are eligible or prizes. The CGIfest is no longer running. We tried running a specific graphics fest but it didn't pan out at this time.

I could go on. What kind of modelling were you interested in? And why? I find organic modelling very interesting and a LOT cheaper as far as programs go if your into organic modelling.

If modelling is your goal then don't worry about maya. That's more of a VFX heavy program. Drawing and modelling, we'll have to talk more. I'm no expert, just a hobby-est, but I'm willing to talk about it.
 
Maybe start up a new thread in the 3d section so that you can get other peoples advice as well and maybe help others who are in the same position as you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top