Maya or 3ds max

#1 Person 1: MAX RULES MAYA SUX!!

Person 2: NO WAY STFU MAX IS THE BEST MAYA IS STUPID!

Persons 3-?: $@#% YOU! MY APP CAN KICK YOURS' ASS!

Level-headed Deus Ex Machina: To each his own, they each have their strengths and weaknesses, and it's the art that makes the artist not the tools.

#2 ^ Ditto the above, although *cough*Zbrush*cough* (C;

I guess that plants me firmly in category 3? =)

#3 How much does 3DS MAX cost?

#4 $3495

#5 Ouch, that's a lot. Is there a cheaper version?

#6 Nope, just 1 version and 1 flavour. You can ask you reseller to pricematch Maya Complete (which is $2000).

#7 Maya has a learning edition, where you can do anything as long as you don't use it commercially. Is there anything like this with 3DS MAX?
Thanks

#8 Not any more, no. gmax was similar I suppose, but it's been discontinued. There is a 30-day demo of max though.

#9 Less Filling!

Tastes Great!

LESS FILLING!

TASTES GREAT!

#10 I don't recall exactly, but I think the Maya PLEs don't allow export or plugin capabilities. Also, their file format is not readable by a bought version of Maya.

#11 This conversation may be moot at this point since the makers of Max now own Maya. Maya may be on its way out.

This also probably means that price matching at your local distributor won't work.

@Jeff - Heh, I noticed person #1 and #2 both like Max more than Maya....are you a Max user by any chance? :)

#12 For game development, most would vote for Max.

#13 Ok, now I found a program named LightWave 3D. Has anybody heard of it?

#14 Oh my god! Welcome the wacky world of 3D modeling. Best bet, Nathan, would be to start with a freeware modeling package and build your skills. Don't worry about which arm or leg you'll have to give up if this is your first time round game content.

#15 Weston: LOL, woops. I didn't notice that or mean for it to be that way... ah well. I use both, but mostly Max.

I agree with NR - if you're just getting in to it, try something free. Wings3D is a great free modeler, and you can import wings files to blender (also free) to export to torque.

#16 @Jeff: Why work in Wings3D then import to Blender? Why not just work right in Blender, it's an excellent tool (ok, so the UI was designed by a pack of monkeys, but still).

#17 Wings3D is simple, Blender confuses me, except for the particles, I have managed to master thoughs...

#18 Lightwave = the best :)
Least it's what i ended up choosing. been using it for many years, and i love it. But it's not cheap either. Hope you can get a discount like me.

#19 So do you guys think Lightwave is as good as 3DS MAX and Maya? It sure is a lot cheaper.

#20 They all do the same things. Try out the demos and see which one suits you and your project best.