Light wave 3D....

#1 The lack of a .dts exporter plugin doesn't really matter if you're using T3D, because Cinema 4D R11 already has a built-in Collada exporter. That's why Collada is such a great feature - it brings a lot of new modeling options to the table.

#2 I heard their character rigging was a nightmare. Can we kick off a discussion if anyone's used either or both? I'm trying to make a decision by Saturday. Thank you all for feedback.

#3 In terms of features, either one is easily capable of producing models for game use. What's left is subjective - the one I prefer might have you ready to throw your computer out the window after an hour. :-)

My advice would be to forget what other people think. Instead, try both demo versions and see which one is a better fit for you.

#4 LOL Sounds like you use blender. I like blender for modeling and UV only imo

#5 How hard is it to do a character in collda format though?

#6 I thought Cinema 4D was more for movies/static not games/interactive... Maybe I'm just starting rumors, but for one thing it's even called "cinema". And if you just check the wikipedia page en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CINEMA_4D, it's "use in industry" list is for movies, like Beowolf, Polar Express, Spiderman 3, etc

Only thing I do with 3d models is use them with code, but a teammate is using Blender since it is free open source, and you can export to dts/dsq.

I think 3ds max (and maybe Maya) are kind of a standard, but I've also heard of Lightwave 3D as a competing choice.

I think everything is supposed to export to collada since it's the popular open standard? However, sounded like Torque 3D just internally converts it to dts.

#7 Btw, I think Cinema 4D competes with Pixar's Renderman, not 3ds max (and Maya)...

You know they also have another 3d category for like practical AutoCAD stuff... You can probably convert models between the tools, such as with collada, but I think they are also more specialized than just "3d modeling".

#8 So if you have to pick between Lightwave 3D vs. Cinema 4D, then I'm not sure why you're even considering Cinema 4D (unless it's for cut scenes?)... Or, could just use Blender until you have access to 3ds max.

Another reference point is that wikipedia says (3ds Max, LightWave and Maya), notice how they mentioned three game modeling programs, and not Cinema 4D or Pixar RenderMan (which is focused on movies, right?)... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poser. This is for Poser, which focuses on animations. (Not sure if yet another option is to use Blender, and get a license for Poser)...

#9 Hmm, I saw this thred after I posted about Lightwave versus 3Ds Max. Which package did you get Kevin?

#10 I think im going with Maya its on the low cost end but i think it has more for animation and modeling than light wave also a better interface and biped rig

#11 Pretty sure Maya will do you good, but I never heard anyone say it was on the low cost end before!

#12 Maya is even in the cheapest edition double the price of Lightwave.

Maya is hard to learn. But in the end it is a good tool.

Lightwave can export fine to FBX and Collada. The Collada files transfer with animations into different game engines (Shiva, C4, I did not test T3D).

Animation in LW is very powerful so you have to learn it like you have to do in Maya, Max or Blender. The concept behind it is just the same (bones, skinning, IK, FK, a curve editor and more).

#13 Can Lightwave and 3d max trade files between them back and forth?

#14 A little late to the response here, but LightWave can trade files back and forth as long as they are in .3DS format and not .max format. Remember the Y and Z are different for either. You have to set the Y in LIghtwave to match Z up.

Cheers,
Glen

LIghtWave CORE user