CompuServe Messages

3D Studio runs on personal computers, (PC's). Silicon Graphics (SGI) makes workstations that are more powerful cpu wise, and are often configured with hardware specifically dedicated to 3D display. Think of them as very expensive 3D accelerators. There are several high-end software packages that are available for workstations, and they tend to perform best on SGI's. These packages include SoftImage, Alias, Wavefront, etc… . I think what Paul was trying to say, and I agree, is that one must pick the right tool for the right job. There are so many animations out there that 3D Studio is extremely competetive for, even against more expensive workstation based packages. And there are also jobs that would be unrealistically difficult and slow to produce (if not impossible) in 3D Studio as it stands now. Future releases and IPAS' will probably narrow the gap. It seems that utilizing the best of a variety of tools makes good animation and buisness sense.