#TOPAS vs 3DS
Paul, consider yourself quite lucky to not run into the bugs
that I've run into, so far, with 3-D Studio. I'm constantly running
into shape formation problems in the lofter, as well as problems with
the boolean operations, two of the more useful tools in the program.
I'm also constantly annoyed by a migrating snap, and there are all
sorts of little quirks like that here and there that are annoying, at
best. Other things that bother me are purely personal, involving the
overall design of the program, which I think is pretty obtrusive and
time consuming. They all add up to a program that I approach with
caution when using.
If Topas has major bugs, I've yet to be bitten by them.
Granted, I don't use the program a lot, and they may yet have a
chance to get me (the 3-D Studio bugs ALWAYS get me!). Personally, I
find this program FAR MORE intuitive than 3-D Studio, but, again,
it's merely a matter of taste. As I said in another message, Mr.
Simpson would do well to take a 3-D Studio course, as I did, to
decide if it's for him, or not. Well worth the $500, or so, for good
insight into the program
As I said, consider yourself quite lucky if you haven't run
into such problems, however, to say that it's a "completely wrong
response" to call 3-D Studio buggy`is to do this fellow a disservice.
I suppose one has to assume that, if you can live with these bugs,
than it's a great program. If the program cost $500-1000, I wouldn't
even complain. At $3000, however, the bugs, and various
idiosyncrasies of the program (no undo, no color coding of objects,
no high-end rendering, no use of open pologons, no pliability of
objects, having to jump all over the place to get things done,
etcetera, etcetera, etcetera), are conpletely inexcusable, IN MY
VIEW. I'm glad, however, that it works well for you. Enjoy it.