Total newb questions

[travbrad1001]

I am very interested in 3D Modeling and am trying to decide which program to use. So far I think Maya looks the best for me, especially with the free learning editition and such. What are your thoughts?

 

[Nathan]

Have you ever modeled before?

Either Milkshape or Gmax?

The UT editor even?

You should probably use those before you go out and buy something like maya unless you have some prior experience.

Maybe even 'legaly' procure a copy of 3D Studio Max R4 to test with. *cough*

 

[travbrad1001]

Haha, legally . I used Milkshape, Anim8tor, and some basic modeling in level editors for HL and CS . Now I want to go more into 3D Modeling and was wondering if 3DS MAX or Maya would be better to learn?? Or is either one fine?

 

[Nathan]

I know that you can do alot more with Maya. Try 3DSM 4, *cough*

 

[Digital_Grizzly]

But isn't 3DSM4 used more in the gaming industry? just wondering what the difference between Maya and 3DSM4 was...

 

[Ostsol]

But isn't 3DSM4 used more in the gaming industry? just wondering what the difference between Maya and 3DSM4 was...

I think that Maya -- the full version, that is -- has a heck of alot more stuff built in to it. There was a program on TV I saw a while ago that showed a Maya demonstration depicting a wrecking ball hitting a pyramid of blocks. It wasn't particularily detailed, but was rendered in real-time and there was some good physics happening as the blocks scattered, bounced, and rolled upon beind struck. I think the stormy ocean in "The Perfect Storm" was done via some built in water simulation capabilities in Maya. 3dStudio Max, I think, is primarily used just for creating and skinning 3d models, while Maya has some simulation capabilities as well as modelling. Consequently, 3dStudio Max is cheaper.

 

[Boke]

"there was some good physics happening as the blocks scattered, bounced, and rolled upon beind struck."

TrueSpace also has a pretty nice physics system. I made a plugin that exports the animations from TrueSpace to the .x file format ( it also exports skinned meshes ). I realize TrueSpace is not widely used for game development but it works fairly well and is much less expensive.