CompuServe Messages

>>I am a 3D Studio user and am considering to sell it to buy Lightwave 4.0 for my ALPHA machine. Is this a wise choice? What are the differences between the two, also advantages and disadvantages.<< Will, The short answer to your question is: if you like the FX you've seen on Babylon 5, SeaQuest, Hercules, and other TV sci-fi stuff where LW is used, then it's probably just what you need. I think you're expecting alot for some one to list off the pros/cons of both these packages. Without knowing more detailed specifics about what you want to do its difficult to offer any useful feedback. 3DS and LW are very comparable programs. They each have their own strengths. However, in my experience, no 3D program is a panacea. Perhaps rather than putting all you eggs in one basket, you should be thinking about what programS (plural) would satisfy you needs. You're also limiting yourself somewhat by sticking to LW and 3DS as your only two choices. Here are some questions I've put to other users in a similar dilemma: What kind of work do you want to do? A more specific idea of the direction you want to go would help with recommendations. Are you a tinkerer, or a looking for something more production-deadline oriented? Do you understand the difference between ray-tracing, and scanline rendering? What elements of ray-tracing would be important in your work? Do you want a program which you can add-onto with plug-in$$, or which has more of a variety of features on-board? Do you prefer spline or polygon modeling? What kind of content will have the greatest emphasis in your work, flying logos, spaceships, FX for compositing with live action, game animation, bouncey 3D character animation, highly realistic ray-traced scenes, stills for publishing, etc? The more specific you can be, the better. -Tim