xtrm 3d statement concerning switching application !!

#21

Originally posted by proton
[B]Studios Use what they need to get the shot done…Computer Cafe is teh oldest LightWave shop and they use every major App in the movies they work on…more power to them.

DNA added Maya to there Pipeline, Digital Domain uses more then just Lightave…LightWave fits into any pipeline and that’s great news.

Use what works best for you and you can’t go wrong. I have friends that have switched to other apps due to a job and I say more power to them…It’s cool to know that they still choose LW at home and sneak in LW work when possible :slight_smile:

My choice for years has been LightWave and see no reason to change as it his the tools I need to get my work done…In the past have have looked into other apps to see my options and LightWave still was the clear choice for me. No one should feel guilty, or should be guilted for adding to their toolkit…

it only makes you that much more valuable…IMHO! [/B]

Stated like a true artist and gentleman!

ROCK!!!:buttrock:

#22

Wow proton, If I could shake your hand I would.

I’m with Policarpo on this one.

#23

OK everyone keeps saying, “it’s not the tools you use but what you do with them.” So then should I choose to spend my time getting better at Lightwave since I have a solid foundation in it? Or should I spend my time learning more apps such as Maya?
Which will be a more benefical use of my time in the long run when looking for a job?

#24

the more software packages you learn the better when you are searching for a job

my favourite 3D program is actually Softimage|XSI (which, admittedly I have only been using for a few months now)

really Leigh ? you fell in love with the software that quickly, must be really wonderful then. Do you feel as comfortable modeling and texturing as in LW with XSI ? i have the EXP loaded but just haven’t played with it enough… I do also want to learn 2 programs myself but right now i’m focused on LW and some C4D

going through the Essentials LW book which I strongly recommend to LW beginners :thumbsup:

#25

Originally posted by sebek27
going through the Essentials LW book which I strongly recommend to LW beginners :thumbsup:

Thank you sir, wait till you see the next version :slight_smile:

#26

My primary loyalties still are with NewTek, but I see no reason at all not to learn other apps, there is no way that it can hurt. Your skills can only improve with more knowledge and more tools, your pipeline gets better and faster and your much more marketable, there’s nothing wrong with that. I personally can’t wait to learn Maya in college and I’m also looking forward to spending some time in XSI’s learning edition when I get a chance.

I would even suggest that taking it a step further is good, branching out into one or multiple other areas like compositing, (2D) print and/or web, and even editing can only help you in the long run.

PS: Proton, agreed with Policarpo and Pi, I’m very impressed with your post! I also have a question for you about starting up a LW User group if you have a minute or two sometime would you send me an e-mail or PM me please.

#27

Originally posted by N2ChristTheKing
I would even suggest that taking it a step further is good, branching out into one or multiple other areas like compositing, (2D) print and/or web, and even editing can only help you in the long run.

I think this is the primary reason my company keeps me around. I can do video editing (on AVID and Final Cut Pro), I can do some web design, some graphic design, illustration, Director (the program ;)), 3D and general PC trouble shooting. :wip:

#28

Sounds like my last internship…Except I was using Final Cut there and I use Avid at home. I was very surprised that I was the only one who knew how to add a stick of RAM to a PC :wink:

#29

I don’t really have any loyalties. Yes the job market leans towards felxibility nowadays. The good thing is that for modelers, applications need not be that specific as of yet. Sure there are app specific features like endomorphs etc, but you can always find a plugin or a feature that will pipe such features like super-blender for Messiah which came out with Messiah:Animate 4.

I still want everything under one roof and my habits are leaning towards integration. I’m still using the XSI demo and will become proficient with it.

#30

Originally posted by sebek27
really Leigh ? you fell in love with the software that quickly, must be really wonderful then. Do you feel as comfortable modeling and texturing as in LW with XSI ? i have the EXP loaded but just haven’t played with it enough… I do also want to learn 2 programs myself but right now i’m focused on LW and some C4D

I fell in love with it on the first day that I had to use it :smiley:
Thus far I haven’t done a hell of a lot of modelling in it, since my area of expertise (and what I actually do for a living) is primarily a texturing artist, so I’ve been dealing mainly with the rendering side of things in XSI. Also, obviously, been doing a lot of UV mapping and shading. Fantastic toolset.

The modelling is great. Funnily enough, the sub-d modelling in XSI actually reminds me somewhat of modelling in LW. It has a similar intuitive feel.

I’m really comfortable with XSI now. In fact, it is one of goals this year to purchase a license for it :slight_smile:

#31

Originally posted by Leigh

I’m really comfortable with XSI now. In fact, it is one of goals this year to purchase a license for it :slight_smile:

U must be making a LOT of money hehehe, gonna have to consider moving to SA :stuck_out_tongue:

#32

LW still amazes me with it’s ability (especially in 8) to provide a full suite of dynamics/cloth and even basic hair for such an incredibly low price. (not to mention not having to pay obscene prices for network render nodes)

In other applications if you want soft body and hard body dynamics or cloth support you’re going to start looking at price tags around 11,000 USD. In XSI if you want dynamics support beyond basic particle simulation you’ll be paying just that not to mention the essentials version does not have fxtree(one of my favorite things about XSI)/compositing tools. (XSI is probably my favorite environment to work in but I will never see it at home)

I think as 8 comes out and 8.5+ follows if Newtek keeps everything in line pushing features and better workflow for non-techies the market for LW will probably grow signifigantly. As it stands it is the ultimate freelancers toolbox still and will continue to be so unless the high end versions of Maya/XSI cut their prices down to LW levels on the high end versions(which is VERY unlikely).

Restricting yourself to just learning 1 app can become ones downfall in the industry. That’s like saying you can only use this box of colored pencils to make your art and this basic paper and no other media ever. You can’t give everyone what they want with just a box of colored pencils sometimes you need other tools to give someone what they want.

There is no wrong way or right way there are only tools. It’s what comes out in the end that is important.

I would like to say though it would be nice if Newtek released a LW Demo that is more on par with the Maya Demo or Softimage|XSI EXP demo the LW demo seems to be the most limiting of them all not giving you a chance to experience much.

(You can also get Maya demo and XSI demos with a Training Kit that contains tutorial book and tutorials CDs for those who want to broaden their horizons)

Sorry for swinging a bit off topic but I think some of this addresses some peoples concerns who have posted in this thread and especially directed at those who was asking xtrm3d about why he was using Maya.

#33

WOW - Finally a thread dealing directly with multi-apps and no bashing! Am I dreaming of a happier friendlier group or is it that everybody that is posting here are the ones that are always open, friendly and informative as opposed to bashing and thrashing? Man this should almost be made a stickey thread to show everybody how responses should be made.

Back to the subject I believe it was Leigh that once stated that you should learn 3D principals, then learn a decent app to the hilt and get very comfortable with it. Then expand to the other apps. Once you start moving to the other apps you start learning all kinds of new things, tech’s, methods, pipelines, ect. This only makes you better, faster, and more versitable. In other words a much more valuable artist.

#34

well said Aurora…let me reduce that statement to a mantra everyone can hold as their personal truth.

“When you learn to create art first, then a tool becomes just a tool.”-opracilop

#35

Bravo - Policarpo. We should have that as a tag sign someplace here on CGTalk!

#36

BASH!!! SMASH!!! YELL!!! RANT!!!

flick

FLAMES!!!

MAN THIS SOFTWARE SUCKS. WHAT IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU WANT TO USE ********! WHEN ******** IS SO MUCH COOLER. MAN YOU MUST BE BLIND OR SOMETHING CAN’T BELIEVE YOU WANT TO USE *******!!!

ITS GOT POLYGON DOOM BINDING AND UV FLOAT JUMPERS MAN AND ******** AINT GOT NOTHING ON ******** AS FAR AS FEATURES. AND THE PRICE OMFG!!! ********* IS A TRILLION DOLLARS CHEAPER THAN ***********

MAN YOU FREAKIN NUTS!!!

(sigh!) good, this thread is now degenerated :twisted:

#37

oiy vay…is this what happens when a man is separated from his dongle which use to dingle? :drool:

Hahahah…tooo funny jonathan!

:buttrock:

#38

I don’t understand why there needs to be some type of confession regarding learning another 3D ap. I’ve learned Maya, LWave, Max, Shade, Softimage, Messiah, PRMan and others and never cared to apologize to anyone. I do happen to like the combo of LW, Maya and the beaver project but find that for less complex animation chores that I can work within Lightwave.

Go get em Christophe!

#39

Learning another 3D app is sort of a horizontal diversification, which is fine. There’s also something to be said for vertical diversification if you want to become ‘management’ at some point. In the past six months I’ve had to learn LightWave, Mirage, and VT3 from the ground up. Plus, MagpiePro, TMPGEnc, WaveLab, ACID, DVD Workshop and a few other finishing apps, while trying to stay off the various hardware gotchas too. (Not to mention trying my hand at voice acting, now -that’s- hard!) Anyway, it helps to see how decisions made in one phase can affect the workflow in another.

TW

Hoping to turn in the first episode of my 3D TV program next week for local cable access, so you Austinites stay tuned! :cool:

#40

I use only Lightwave because I don’t have the time or funds to buy and learn Maya or MAX or XSI.

That’s where I’m at. It’s frustrating going through job listings and inevitably, at the bottom, there’s that dreaded requirement - Maya.