3D Software choices - Discussion ASAP!

#1

I need some help here. Last time I touched a 3D app it was Maya 3.0 (well unless you count the frustrations of working with Maya PLE versions). I’m pretty sure from what I’ve read here and there on CGTalk that most modelling apps can export to a variety of formats now. So, I’m guessing that modelling can be done in any application. But we may have difficulties with rigs, lights, and rendering differences.

So, I guess we need a vote on application for these tasks ASAP.

When this project was floating around the Mod forum, it was suggested that Maya and XSI were good choices with MR. Kaydara format was also mentioned at one point, but I don’t know what they were talking about.

Discuss here … make a decision that the most people can work with. Some people may be left out due to software issues. I’m sorry. I wish I had an easy solution.

#2

Kaydara is .fbx, which was starting to be pretty universal until it got all Maya-fied, so I dunno how usable it is overall now. Still, it’s worth a shot. I know it works fairly well with XSI, although textures get a little screwy. Sorry I can’t help more.

#3

I model in max, but I guess it’s not such a big issue at the modelling stages since most apps can export to many formats. It would be more of an issue when it comes to rigging, animating and rendering.

#4

Everything except for modeling should be kept within the same application.

I only got access to the latest Maya version, so I vote for that one.

#5

i second Maya (6.0.1)

mauricio

#6

Modeling (particularly with the pure poly world you’re talking about) can be done in any app, however the rigging through render part of the pipeline really needs to be kept in the same boat.

Yeah, it’s possible to use motionbuilder as an intermediary – but that’s another piece of software that people will need to have in order to contribute. As such, I think it’s a bad idea. I think you’ll find that the majority of pro level rigging talent on here is maya-centric, although I might be off-base.

I say pure poly world, but a fair amount of the squash and stretch effects I saw in the storyboards look like they would benefit from sub-d or nurbs workflow.

If we were talking about a more taxing render, the app in question would really be driven by what renderer we could get on a ton of volunteer farm machines. Luckily, I don’t see the finals taking more than a few days on a few machines – even if we were to go all out on multiple passes for the benefit of the post artist, or to even render in HD. In my wildest GI/FG/DOF/Motion Blur dreams, I can’t fathom more than 20 minutes a frame at 1920 rez because of the simple texturing.

I’ve got an interest in using Maya from a purely selfish standpoint as a potential lighter. I also think the flexibility in renderer choice (mental ray, turtle, renderman) would be a bonus, although the same argument could be made for 3ds.

As a potential editor/postmonkey, whatever app delivers me clean render passes as 16 bit per channel TIFFs (monochrome world will benefit from the added data in post) that I can massage in After Effects and/or Final Cut Pro (could also use my office’s shake license, for the record) gets my vote.

#7

I also vote for maya or xsi.

#8

I’d also vote for Maya in conjunction with Mental Ray, since I am used to this program from its beginning. From my point of view as a potential lighter, mental ray is the way to go because it’s stable, powerful and production approved.

#9

I have acces to maya and max!

my vote goes for MAYA!

As far as I understood I am helping in rigging department and we can make quite straigth forward UserInterface (for animation controls) for animators who are not familiar with maya!

#10

My vote is for Maya(6.0.1).

#11

A cup of Maya for me, please.

#12

Looks like it’s going to be Maya 6.0.1 & MR for everything past modeling. Any objections? Speak now or forever hold your peace. :smiley:

#13

For rendering purposes I’d prefer Mental Ray 3.4 which comes with Maya 6.5, since it’s better integrated into Maya and provides better Final Gathering.

But I will join the majority - Maya 6.0.1 isn’t bad at all.

#14

I’ve only got access to XSI I’m afraid :frowning: If that’s not going to work out let me know.

#15

Once we switch to rendering we can indeed use 6.5, no compatibility problems when upgrading see… Ofcourse, thats not up to me

#16

im down for maya 6.0.1 for production,

After Effects 6 for Compositing

Final Cut Pro for editing.

#17

I agree with AE for compositing. I use it quite a lot and it produces very nice effects (no pun intended)

#18

I have an idea…how about Blender? :shrug:

We can all download it( its free and only about 5meg ) and with a few days spare before the start date we could quickly get up to speed with the interface. Kirt’s project isn’t exactly un-reasonable( the worst is producing cubes’n’spheres ) for this change in software. Also, we don’t have to worry about formats! :bounce:

And consider also, if one of us is having trouble grasping a certain part of Blender - the rest of the team can help’em out. On top of that - I know quite a few CGTalkers who know Blender like the back of their hand… :cool:

Now, before you reply, give it atleast a good five minutes of thought. Normaly I would agree that this would be a stupid ide - but the given project is perfect for this exercise. :slight_smile:

Failing that - I have access to Maya 5.0… :rolleyes:

#19

I think everyone wants to see this finished and I hardly think most of us will be willing to learn blender when we can get right to work with the softwares we know.

#20

I have access to Maya 6.0.1, so that gets my vote.