#Consumer Version of 3DS
15 messages in this thread
Kevin 2 Kevin
In a back and forth between you and another, around 10 days ago, you were told:
<< There is no "Consumer" version of 3DS. >>
To which you replied:
<< I thought I was out of the loop again (more like a cat's cradle). >>
Kev, I thought I'd pass this along FWIW.
"Consumer Version" is a label that has been given to a limited offer
of 3D Studio 2.01a in Canada. Prices range from $510 – $595. The
product appears on the shelves of Doppler's, a computer chain store
similar to Comp-USA and is being marketed by other Canadian dealers
using the term "Consumer Version" or "Consumer Edition."
There is no special labeling on the box that identifies the product
as being different from 3D Studio ver. 2 purchased through an
Authorized Autodesk Dealer in the U.S. It is upgradable to Rel. 4.
However, the coupon found inside the box offers only a nominal
discount off of the full _list_ of Rel. 4, affording the consumer
nothing on upgrading that he can't get by doing a little shopping
around.
Just trying to close the loop.
Kevin Gibson
Animation Nation <tm> -= It's a small world after all… =-
Kevin,
OK, thanks for the more complete info. Please stop singing…
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates REP 137512
Kevin, Kevin, and all…
There were a lot of people out of the loop on this one. Here is the
Scoop in a nutshell:
Consumer Version of 3D Studio is Release 2. The software is not
different or crippled in any way.
It is ONLY available in CANADA.
It costs around $600.
It is NOT upgradable to 3 or 4, however there is a coupon for a
discount if you purchase those products at full price.
It ships with a DIFFERENT hardware lock, which will not work on any
other version of 3D Studio.
There is 30 days free telephone support from the Canadian Distributer,
further support is available here on the ASOFT forum.
-Brian
Just for clarity, on these "Consumer" versions, what do the
serial # start with? Upgradable U.S. start with 660-xxxxxx. Is it
obvious if one of these is mistakenly submitted for upgrade?
Yes. The Consumer editions have a 661 prefix. This is the same
prefix you will see on the Educational version of 3DS. The same lock
restraints also hold. The locks that ship with both the consumer and
educational versions are only good for that version.
Your next question is; "If both versions have the same prefix, how do
I tell them apart if someone tries to upgrade the consumer version?"
An upgrade of the educational version would require the customer to
turn in their disk#1. The consumer version has a different label and
it's specified that you cannot upgrade that product on the label. The
consumer version only has one means of upgrade, and that's by turning
in disk#1 AND the consumer hardware lock. The customer is then
entitled to purchase R4 at a $500.00 discount per the cover letter
that shipped with their product.
Bob,
Thanks for the info. Happy Thanksgiving.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
I was wondering, What is the difference between the student version of
3ds and the "Regular?" version. Cost to upgrage? Limitations?
What about using the student version, after I Graduate from college,
for commercial use? I was told by an Education software distributor
that there was no difference, how accurate is this?
<< What about using the student version, after I Graduate from college, for
commercial use? I was told by an Education software distributor that there
was no difference, how accurate is this? >>
There is no difference. You can use it for commercial use if you want.
Here is more info:
Consumer Version of 3D Studio is Release 2.01a. The software is not different
or crippled in any way.
It is ONLY available in CANADA.
It costs around $600.
It is NOT upgradable to 3 or 4, however there is a coupon for a discount if you
purchase those products at full price.
It ships with a DIFFERENT hardware lock, which will not work on any other
version of 3D Studio.
There is 30 days free telephone support from the Canadian Distributer, further
support is available here on the ASOFT forum.
-Brian
Thanks for the Info, Brian.
-DOC
>>3DS Consumer Version…
Good to know. I have an enthusiastic nephew for whom I am considering
purchasing 3DS, but I don't love him $3000 worth, really more like $600 worth.
<g>
Rather than going through the whole student-version thing, this is a neat
alternative. Where could I order the software?
Michele
Hi Michele,
Hope all is well and you had a pleasant Thanksgiving surrounded by family.
>> Where could I order the software? <<
Try IC Technology. Toronto, Ontario 1-800-267-0743
3D Studio V3er. 2.01a All manuals, Disks, CD & Lock
>> always looking for an excuse to get on a plane <<
I can think of a good one.
No need for sweaters or gloves in New Orleans.
Wish you were here. We could go jaywalking together. <BG>
Kevin
!^NavFont01F0ANAAUGGYOSTD112594A
Michele,
>> Rather than going through the whole student-version thing, this is a
>> neat alternative. Where could I order the software?
On page 30 of 3D Artist #17 there is an add for this version of 3DS. IC
Technology @ 800.267.0743 or 416.633.5884.
Check it out…
BTW, Hope to see you at the Boston 3DS User Group again!
Bob W.
Brian and all…
First and foremost.
Brian, I think you and the other SysOps here in the forum are doing a great
job. I firmly believe that. I've said it before and I'll say it again.
The ASOFT SysOps are doing a great job.
I do not fault you for not being in the loop. This is the loop.
You are in it. We are here, in the ASOFT forum, on CompuServe.
The people who are not in the loop are people at Autodesk who should have
CompuServe accounts but apparently don't.
I will cover this in a separate message I'm uploading called "Dear Autodesk."
Now regarding the following:
The …<< Consumer Version of 3D Studio is Release 2. >>
Actually it's Ver. 2.01a. And names are important. At least some people
think so. We were recently discussing this issue in the thread
"Why I won't Upgrade"
<< The software is not different or crippled in any way. >>
<< It is NOT upgradable to 3 or 4, >>
<< It ships with a DIFFERENT hardware lock, which will not work on any other >>
<< version of 3D Studio. >>
Some people think that the inability to upgrade is a form of being
"crippled." The hardware lock's limited use might also be considered
"crippled." In any event, it is "different." Shouldn't the
differences be noted in the advertising and on the outside of the
box?
<< It is ONLY available in CANADA. >>
A phone call and Federal Express gets it right to your door…
no matter where you live.
<< It costs around $600. >>
Actually the price I gave was direct from Doppler's. They sell the
Consumer Version of 3D Studio for $700 Canadian which can be as low
as $515 U.S. depending on who's converting the currency. Another ad
I saw offered the product for $595 U.S.
Down here in the delta of the Mississippi River we are connected to
CompuServe, Internet and FIDONET. News travels fast. Even if it
takes a little longer to make it from one side of the Autodesk Campus
to the other.
Thanks.
Kevin Gibson
Animation Nation <tm>
-=It's a small world after all…=-
P.S. See my message DEAR AUTODESK Mssge. #137942
Kevin,
You are right, 2.01a is the version number. When I said V2, I meant the latest
increment of V2. I should be more specific. Thank you for pointing that out.
<<Some people think that the inability to upgrade is a form of being
"crippled."
The hardware lock's limited use might also be considered "crippled."
In any event, it is "different."
Shouldn't the differences be noted in the advertising
and on the outside of the box?>>
Crippled means the program has been changed from the orriginal to have
functionality reduced. A HW lock is not crippled, becuase the original has a HW
lock. That means it is the same as the original. Not crippled. Upgrading is a
pricing issue. Has nothing to do with crippled software.
The differences you mentioned _are_ mentioned on the label on the front of the
box.
-Brian
Thanks Brian. As usual your answer is thorough and competent.
With respect to the "Consumer Version" of 3D Studio…
We now know that it exists. We now know where it is being marketed.
We know what the label represents. And we know what it doesn't.
And without the open, free discussion of such things,
we would be like mushrooms. There is more we would like to know.
I'm glad to learn that the "differences" are mentioned on the box.
It was not what I was told while conversing with two different parties,
which seems to lend support for my argument regarding getting the "word"
straight from the "source." The differences are not noted in advertising I've seen.
As I sat with family around the dinner table on Thanksgiving, I paused
to reflect on the things I am grateful for. Among the items I made
mental note of, was the fact that I am thankful for the ability to chat
with you and the others gathered here in the forum.
I thank you and everyone else for putting up with my silliness and
I thank you and everyone else for sharing your expertise with me.
Thanksgiving is an American institution.
America was founded in pursuit of freedom.
Among the many freedoms we enjoy is the freedom of expression and
a freedom from arbitrary censorship.
My quests in life are the continuous pursuit of knowledge
and the creation of beauty. My participation in this forum is merely the
manifestation of these pursuits.
Thank you for your help.
Kevin Gibson
Animation Nation <tm>