CompuServe Messages

The only way to get Renderman for the PC is to purchase MacroModel (it's a bundled package). That version of R-man is set up only for still images and I don't believe there is a way for it to do batch processing. MacroModel is just a modeller so you would need some way to animate objects created with it and then save those to .ribs. In other words, it's bloody difficult to get there from here for animations (if someone knows a way, please tell me!) I don't know how much you've used 3DS but don't sell it's renderer short. With carefully created materials and lighting, you can accomplish amazing looks in a fraction of the time Renderman would take. The SIGGRAPH demo reel has some pretty amazing stuff on it. Where I think 3DS is particularly weak is refraction but there are ways to work around this and new raytracing programs for 3DS should work well to solve those problems. A big advantage to 3DS is IPAS – try doing a rocket blasting off with fire, smoke, flares and metallic glints easily with Renderman; good luck! Does 3DS hold up to Wavefront? It's like comparing an MR2 and a Ferrari. Both are quick, both handle well, but when really pushed the Ferrari is clearly superior. For most flying logos I think 3DS is just as good as Wavefront. For dancing glass bottles and cereal boxes composited into filmed scenes, Wavefront (et al) are clearly superior. Of course we're talking about a difference in price of 5-20 times, too, just for software. It all depends on what you want to create. If I were you I'd get demo reels from the different vendors and compare – there's no other way to do it. Remember, too, that the artist is the key to making any animation look great, regardless of the program used. Cheers, John