#PC Animation
21 messages in this thread
Does anyone know of a better Animation program for the PC than 3D
Studio? Is it considered the best?
Thank you, Jim
Jim, 3-D Studio is considered by many to be the best, but not
everyone. The best thing to do is to decide what you need your
software to be able to do for you, and then do some research. One of
the advantages to 3-D Studio is its expandability. If it can't do
something now, it probably will be able to do it soon.
>the advantages to 3-D Studio is its expandability.<
There's a minor industry of add-on software around 3DS, as well.
But…. they are very _proud_ of 3D$.
..mark
Hi Jeff,
good to see you here, too! 🙂
>> One of the advantages to 3-D Studio is its expandability.
and it's disadvantage, since you have to pay extra (as IPAS routine)
for each feature. I think for the price of 3DS there should be more
included. -David
>I think for the price of 3DS that there should be more included<
Yeah, but when you consider ease of use, quick rendering times, etc,
there is a lot you can do in 3DS without all of the IPAS stuff. I
suppose it would be a good idea for me to try out some other
animation software at some point, but so far I haven't had a good
reason to do so…
And it takes a long time till you have learned a new program only to
find out that it's not as good as the one your using right now.
Been there, done that. I bought version 1 a playmation a few years
back and wasn't to impressed (though I liked the spline modelling
stuff)… 3DS REALLY needs spline modelling…Almost had it this
time 'round.
So you didn't like the spline modeller from Playmation? Is it too
limited? Is it too hard to use? Many programs claim to have spline
modelling but there are huge differences. Some just have a few 2D
spline options and the rest is triangles other use splines all the
way.
No, actually I DID like the spline modeller from Playmation, but that
was the only thing I liked about the program. It is very fluid, very
easy to use.
Hey, by the way, saw your stuff on the CompuServe CD! Love those
dolphins…
Jeff
Is it possible to export from Playmation to DXF or anything like that?
Maybe I could get a used copy and use it as spline modeller.
>> Love those dolphins…
thanks! I uploaded them some time ago to Graphdev (now there are
here). I rendered them in TV res and tranfered it to video. I didn't
like the FLI resolution, but looks like it is still ok. Don't have
the current CCD. I'll have to order one. -David
>>Is it possible to export from Playmation to DXF
Don't know about Playmation, but sanford kennedy has been doing so w/great
success from A:M. 73201,1374 is his address. He did the 'roadrunner' cover on a
recent 3DArtist.
John Stetzer
JWS
Yeah, but A:M is much more than Playmation. Thought I can get a spline modeller
for little money <g>
-David
The version of Playmation that I have (1.0) does not allow exporting
or importing of any kind. I think the new version does… I've
heard that 3DS might release the spline modeller at a later date,
I'll probably just wait for that.
I'm still hoping for Sculptura 2. Saw a beta and it was very good, but it will
take some time till it is out.
-David
>Is it possible to export from Playmation to DXF or anything like that? Maybe I
could get a used copy and use it as spline modeller.<
Yes, I've done it. It's kinda strange though. I did it a while ago,
If you save from the Sculpt program-ette, you can only save each
piece out at a time. If you save from Character, you get the whole
object merged into one thing- no separate pieces. That may be fixed
with 2.0 though.. and mabe A:M too. (I have 1.48)
>3DS REALLY needs spline modelling…Almost had it this time 'round<
are you referring to R3 or R4? I thought R4 was s'posed to _have_
spline modeling.
I'm referring to R4. Unfortunately, just be for the release of R4,
they decided not to include the spline modeller. Lots of people were
(and still are) really upset about this. The new IK module is great,
and almost makes the upgrade from R3 to R4 worth it on its own. But
the spline modeller is greatly missed…
I've recently looked at several 3D rendering packages in the market.
My docs are at work, but I've seen demos from Caligari TrueSpace 3D.
It's Windows based and features a very intuitive interface with quick
rendering times. The cameras are placed similar to Lightwave 3D
(Video Toaster fame and now standalone and multiplatform). I've also
looked at a Windows demo of MacroModel. It seemed a little tougher to
use but still Windows based. DOS offered 3D studio of course…also
Crystal Topas Pro which appears very good, but it does not enjoy the
3rd party support as 3D Studio does. All in all, I really liked the
Windows packages, especially TrueSpace. The projects that we were
developing however, were too limited to justify a true 3D rendering
package. I ended up scaling back to a pseudo-3D package . We've had
Typestry from Pixar for quite a while. It's interface is is desparate
need of enhancement and I guess they will upgrade it when the next
version comes out. Unfortunately it is late since July. There is also
Flying Fonts from Topas that supports AI format (Illustrator and
Corel) importing and has an impressive list of features. Today I
ordered a package from Virtual Reality (I forget the name of the
product…-something-3D). It had some cool capabilities, plus a 1000
texture CD for $100. Gotta love it 😉 jim