CompuServe Messages

>> 2D to 3D << Now I realize I'm probably in the minority (on this forum anyway) but as an animator who goes back to traditional cel animation, and having grown through a lot of software packages…choosing the best (economical) 3D animation package is a no-brainer. Amongst all the good ones, 3D Studio is the runaway winner for muscle, expandability (over 250 F/X plug-in's available), rendering speed, material manipulation, etc. It's also a great wagon to hitch yourself too because what's in store for future versions is mind boggling. If you can afford it Alias Power Animator is terrific, why else would so many professionals (I mean the folks 'really' making a full time-very good living at animation) use it. It's not the best value though. Now that SGI is buying Alias (and Wavefront) maybe they'll have some entry level bundles. I should mention that our firm is a dealership for production animation systems, software and hardware, and while some may suspect my opinions are biased by $$$ – I might add that we're very fluent in, and rep most 3D packages available on the 3 major platforms. We really get to use and abuse virtually every worthwhile package available in a pro production environment. If that's where you aim to be, check everyting out hand-on (don't believe the demo reels and Hollywood B.S.)