3DS vs Topaz
5 messages in this thread
3DS is $2995, Topaz is $7995, but more importantly I have a friend who owns
both and now, with 3ds version 2 out, does not see the justification of the
extra $5k. In fact, he'll probably be selling Topaz if your interested. I'm
not knocking Topaz because it might well be a fine product, but
price/performance wise 3ds has no peer on the PC platform. There are some
fine 3d products on the Mac platform which are very competitive in price,
BUT, the price/performance of the hardware is poor compared to the PC's.
I know this is this is REALLY the wrong place but has anything been seen of
TOPAS V4 I have asked my importer (Techex) but they are strangely quiet on
the subject!
– Grahame
'Fraid I don't know, Grahame.
Grahame,
TOPAS 4.0 has been announced, and shown, but has not yet been
released by AT&T GSL. The latest version is 3.61.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Topas 4.0 is now in beta testing, Grahame. Word is that they are shooting
for release in a couple of months. I wouldn't start holding my breath til
a couple of days before SIGGRAPH, though <g>.
When 4.0 comes out, comparisons with 3DSr2 will be quite interesting. Our
company, Media of Exchange, has both programs. We are running Topas in the
RRS (Rapid Render) mode with the Horizon I860 card. For now, the speed of
that platform makes it quite appropriate for certain types of projects, but
we are finding that we are increasingly turning to 3DS for the "nicer
look", as well as the more capable user interface options. When 3DS
harnesses some of that acceleration technology out there, the rest will be
history!
Ken Loss-Cutler