CompuServe Thread

Michelle: Strata Vision is MUCH slower at handling large models on a Quadra 700 with a Radius Rocket than 3DS is on a 486/33 with 16Megs of memory (Don't know if a 900 makes much difference). Strata documentation sucks when compared to 3DS but they are helpful on the phone… Strata doesn't have a CIS forum, as far as I know. Strata will display your renderings in 16 million colors faster than 3DS will… but that is more or less meaningless if your primary goal is animation. Strata doesn't have IPAS, which is an interface that lets your write your own rendering and animation proceedures using 'C' or buy the latest and greatest hot ideas from third parties… the Yost group currently has what appears to be some excellent choices available for moving water, foilage, flames, etc… but I can't say for sure because I haven't seen them. Finally, the PC based equipment is available for less $. If Strata Vision starts supporting multiple processors and you have the bucks to put two in your Quadra, then things will begin to equalize very quickly in terms of performance. C#

Dear Michelle, Buy 3D Studio. I'm getting lonely over here with all these male egos. Michele P.S. I think 3D Studio is a fine product and have been using it for two years. MB

Hello there.. I'd like to know of any disadvantages/advantages of 3D Studio and Strata Vision for the MAC. I'm almost ready to obtain a new system, and was wondering which way should I go. My needs are 24Bit animations. Thank you much, Michelle ————————- Why have you narrowed things down to these two programs? For myself I don't think I'd be considering doing anamation with Strata (granted I stoped upgraded with version 2.0 or so). What do you like about Strata and are you purposly ignoring other Mac animation programs? Basically, I'd be willing to offer you my oppinion, but I'd need to know: What is your background, have you used either platform, do you have either platform, what type of animation will you be doing, how do you plan on outputing your animations, will you be adding sound–if so what kind, etc? Sean Marshall