CompuServe Thread

I am writing in response to the thread from some time ago about 3DS vs Lightwave. I have been using 3DS for 2 years now and received my pre-release copy of Lightwave for windows about a week ago. FWIW, here are my impressions. First, let me start with what I like about LW (compared to 3DS) -I REALLY like the Modeler, especially the multiple undos. -Raytracing, which was faster than I thought it would be on reflections. -All the built in effects: flares, depth of field, bones, displacement mapping.. -Bones are interacitve in Layout. I like being able to see my wireframe affected, unlike in Bones Pro/AXP. -the interactive camera view. -very cool procedural maps Well, on to the LONG list: the things I don't like! I've tried to be fair by not mentioning things that are supposed to be fixed/added in the final release. -the materials editor. 3DS's is light years ahead. -no left/right/bottom views, just top/side/front -only one camera per scene -aiming spotlights is a pain (no target point) -no interactive way to adjust spotlight cone angle. -the animation/key capablities are nowhere near as deep as 3DS. -no matte object option (that I've found) -no interacive way to apply mapping. -must send objects back to modeler to apply new surfaces to faces. -background images have no tile or rescale option. They just get centered. -no way to view images or rendering in progress full size. -very slow anti-aliasing. Yes, Lightwave is a VERY cool package, especially for the price, but 3DS is, in my opinion, a much stronger, faster, and more professional program. I have to admit that LW does spit out some beautiful images with little effort, and I'm sure I will use it for a lot of my creative animation. My advice to anyone who is trying to decide which package to buy is this: If you can afford 3DS, get it. If you can't, get LW. And if you can afford to, get both! IMHO Mitch