#3D design Siggra mention
11 messages in this thread
I was very pleased with the first issue of 3D Design, except for the
mention of Autodesk at Siggraph. In the News under Everything's Coming Up NT
the say that Autodesk didn't have much to show at Siggraph, but they made some
dandy promises. Did they go to the same Siggraph that everyone else did or do I
misunderstand this statement? I was under the impression that Autodesk ruled
the Show. Otherwise the Mag is very good. I especially liked that they actually
compared different software doing the same task.
-Matt (Active Media Graphics)
Y 50 /g fM/
Matthew,
We saw Max, but it was by no means ready for the masses. Autodesk has
reportedly pushed back release until March. Meanwhile, the competition races
ahead (LightWave NT, and SoftImage to name names). Autodesk dominating Siggraph
is probably a little strong…maybe commanding quite a bit of attention at it's
booth is how I think of it.
Kelly
Kelly, maybe you could elaborate a little on how exactly LW/NT and SI/NT have
suddenly "raced ahead" of 3DS (DOS or MAX)??
LW/NT is basically *the same* Amiga program with the *same* interface but now
runs in NT, isn't it? This is racing ahead? Hmmmm….
SI/NT is, as far as I've seen, still a non-entity. Have you personally seen it
run in NT? If so, where? I'd love to get a demo myself. Is it an *entirely new*
program or just an NT port from SGI? Unless it's all-new technology and
available now, I really couldn't see characterizing it as "racing ahead" of
anything, could you?
Last I saw (Siggraph '95) sales figures showed 3DS as having something like a
60% 3D software market share and rising. Has this changed?
Don't get me wrong. I'm sure these are (or are going to be) excellent 3D
programs. But if they've suddenly left everything else behind, then I've missed
some news somewhere! Could you clue me in?
Thanks!
-Alan
Alan,
I think you misinterpreted my comment of racing ahead (or perhaps I didn't make
it clear enough in my message). What I meant by racing ahead is actually
getting an NT product out on the street…
As far as LightWave is concerned, yes, I believe theirs is merely a port. As
far as SoftImage is concerned, yes I have seen the NT product firsthand. Saw it
as Siggraph and saw it again a couple of weeks ago running on an Intergraph P6.
I can't elaborate on what I saw simply because I'm under nondisclosure until
Nov.1, but I will say this…between 3DS Max, SoftImage, and yes even
Lightwave, I think it's going to be a very exciting (and competitive) year for
3D.
Take care.
Kelly
Ah — well, then in that case, LW has *won* the "race" hasn't it?
Not much of a race though, I'd have to say.
Like you say, the real race starts when all these products are available to the
public at large.
Thanks for the clarification…
-Alan
PS -Adesk has certainly NOT "rolled back" release dates regarding MAX. March 21
is, and will probably always be the end of Winter, which is the only official
release announcement so far from Adesk.
>>PS -Adesk has certainly NOT "rolled back" release dates regarding >>MAX.
March 21 is, and will probably always be the end of Winter, >>which is the only
official release announcement so far from Adesk.
Funny. Another kind gentleman in this forum enlightened me to that fact too.
Thanks for reminding me.
Kelly
Kelly, with all the mis-information, speculation, rumours, and downright
hearsay associated with this business, and perpetuated on OL services, written
material, and word-of-mouth, I just feel it's real important to (at least) try
to stick to the facts on this forum.
You wouldn't believe the stuff people come up with and call me to tell me
about! They heard this here, that there, and could this possibly true?
As someone who is depended upon for all kinds of information regarding our
industry, I need to be able to tell them that they can always go to the AMMEDIA
forum for the straight skinny.
Thanks for helping to make this a dependable haven for those who need accurate
information regarding 3DS, and it's related issues.
-Alan
PS -I agree whole-heartedly with everything JamesC says…
>>You wouldn't believe the stuff people come up with and call me to tell me
about! They heard this here, that there, and could this possibly true?
Sure I would. I get the same phone calls.<G> But I'm with you. Accurate
information is important. I'm as anxious as the next guy to see 3DS Max hit the
streets. I think NT is going to have a significant impact on the way people
design. All indicators point in that direction.
Kelly
Kelly:
>>> Autodesk has reportedly pushed back release until March. <<<
The ONLY announced date from Autodesk and/or the Yost Group for Max's release
has been "this Winter". In the northern hemisphere Winter ends on March 21st.
You can't say that the date has been pushed back until someone officially
announces a ship date later than the 21st of March.
– Bob Ritger
I thought it would be helpfull to note that the 3DS camp is as defensive and
pridefull as any of the other camps. I certainly am no exception in this
respect. Information that even remotely contradicts what is considered common
knowledge among the camp will be aggressively addressed (and with good reason).
[Sniff] Can't you smell the smoke from the campfire? And torches? 🙂 I
have some asbestos suits left over from some of my early days on the internet,
if you would care to barrow one. <bg>
BTW, we do greatly appreciate you presence on the forum to offer insight,
information, and support to your publications, even if opions occasionally
differ. <== Fire extinguisher. 🙂
— James — Choreo Motion —
James,
Thanks for sparing my life and diverting the on-line lynching that was about to
ensue <G>. Actually, it's refreshing to hear that the 3DS crowd is as serious
about their craft as Autodesk is about the multimedia market.
Whew! Now that I'm firmly grounded…
Kelly