Rendering: Cin 4D vs Lightwave

[bobakabob]

Both apps are capable of superior results so best try out the demos and see which suits you. Modo is another option. I'm a Lightwave user and can recommend the high quality of the LW modelling tools and renderer for print. There have been some interesting developments in the nodal surfacing and rendering lately. Something else to consider is that Lightwave is an all in one package. FPrime is a superb optional plugin which gives you real time updates of your scene and extremely fast radiosity. Check out the Newtek site for examples. PS I don't work for 'em ;)

[scanmead]

If you use a lot of reflective surfaces and want photo-realism, AR can do the job, but you have to really know how it ticks. Vray for Cinema cuts down on the render set-up considerably, to say the least, and has a bit more texture flexibility with things like blurry reflections and translucency. Maxwell also produces extremely realistic renders, and is worth a long look if you always want photo-realism.

Naturally, I'm biased. Did the research, tried a lot of different platforms and found Cinema to be the easiest (for me) to learn. The texture structure and interface is excellent, the modeling tools are straightforward, there's Hair, Cloth and particles, and just about any sort of light effect I'll ever use. It was only when I moved into interior renders Vray was too tempting to pass up.

Another thing you might want to consider is the service provided by the companies. Not a clue how NewTek is, but Maxon has a spotless customer service reputation. Same for the Vray team. Makes life so much easier down the road.

[Tally]

Thanks Bobakabob & Scanmead,

That's a huge help... will look into those other options before trying a demo :)

Tally :)

[acmepixel]

I am a "print artist" and not an animator. I have both Lightwave 9.3 and C4D 10.5.

As an artist/illustrator, I can say that Cinema has no equal. Period. The workflow, the integration with Photoshop, the "not as scary as all the others" interface, all the tiny little details that are so well thought out, the unmatched stability, and the unrivaled dedication to the Macintosh platform, truly make it the only choice for the professional artist/illustrator.

Day in and day out, all those little details, sweated over by an amazing German development team, really puts C4D out front for a one-man shop. There's a lot to be said for Fine German Engineering. :applause:

[Tally]

Thanks acmepixel,

I must say, after doing some more digging today, I've come down on the side of Cinema 4D. With the additional modules it will cost a little more than I initally budgeted for, but I think it will be well worth it.

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but have always had a soft spot for all things German lol :)

Cheers,
Tally

[acmepixel]

You won't regret it. With the integration of BodyPaint into C4D along with a lot of other features that could only be had, previously, by module or third-party plugin, you now have a powerhouse app. To save money in the beginning one could even postpone the purchase of Photoshop or Painter as BodyPaint now has all the major features of a Photoshop-like program. Hey, it's good enough for Sony Imageworks, it's good enough for me :D

However, I highly recommend downloading and playing with the Demos before buying an app. (whenever a demo for your platform is available).

As much as I am fond of Lightwave (have been since it was still part of the Newtek Toaster), I'm afraid that, with the loss of a good portion of their brain-trust to Messiah and more recently to Modo, the development has suffered. Maxon, on the other hand, has a comitted, big bucks owner that ensures the continued, phenomenal, development of Cinema.

[Tally]

Yeah, I was really very impressed with the Advanced Render module as well as Dynamics (should I ever be tempted by animation!) and Body Paint too.

I think deep down it was always gonna be 4D, but needed a little advice, being new to it all. Thanks ever so much for your comments and the others who've contributed to this thread. My mind's made up....and besides, the Lightwave site didn't look as nice as the 4D one ;)...I'm kidding! lol :)....

Cheers :)

[williamsburroughs]

Congrats Tally.

Let us know if you have any other questions. I migrated from LW8 to C4D R9, and haven't regretted it one bit.

We use it extensively here where I work. :)

[castroman]

go with cinema. its much easier to learn, and I have a feeling version 11 will be the best cinema ever.

much easier gui/workflow. you only have one application to work with, in lightwave you have to deal with two.

[castroman]

Maxwell also produces extremely realistic renders, and is worth a long look if you always want photo-realism.


actually I would go with fryrender instead of maxwell, same quality in renders as maxwell but I feel its a more solid application. this is just my opinion

[soccerrprp]

go with cinema. its much easier to learn, and I have a feeling version 11 will be the best cinema ever.

much easier gui/workflow. you only have one application to work with, in lightwave you have to deal with two.

Yah, that whole separate renderer and modeling UI always puzzled me...:shrug:

Richard

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.