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From: Teddy Gage <teddygage@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:24:01 -0400
Message-ID: <CAPdXPWdiGRdtTP-YS8WkZyWWwod+Rq2thTX1iF9iX3JAFnjRig@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: [OT] 3D program discussion
To: After Effects Mail List <AE-List@media-motion.tv>
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Hi guys just curious for some opinions - not looking to start any "which is
best" flame fest, but a rational discourse on the current state of 3D tools
many of you use in conjunction with AE.

As a little background, I'm currently looking to pick up and teach myself a
new program, but don't really want to invest hours of training into
something I'll never use on an actual job. As a caveat, I would already
consider myself an intermediate to strong Maya / Mental Ray user. Maybe
it's all I need to know, but I have a new computer and I'm itching get some
new software under my belt. I've started some of the basics of Cinema 4D,
which seems to be a relative standard in terms of fast workflow and easier
learning curve in motion graphics.

My question is: what would be the best use of my time to begin picking up,
or should I just further my investment in Maya?

here's sort of a rundown of the current state of things as I see it. I'm
sure I have some inaccurate preconceived notions

Cinema 4d: easiest to use, fast workflow, something of a "standard" for
motion graphics? Is it still being actively developed etc? Is it something
every studio is using?

Maya: used a lot in film / high end commercials - steeper learning curve
but very flexible. shaders are complicated but powerful. Good dynamics
engine

3dstudio max: used mostly for games / particles work?

Houdini: largely programming / expression based workflow, shaders are a
nightmare, most powerful rigging / muscles / particle system. learning
curve is like a cliff (took two months of instruction, barely scratched the
surface)

XSI / softimage: don't know much about XSI, good particle systems?

zbrush: specialized modeling, used a lot in games and creature design.
confusing GUI (imo) and strange workflow. very fun to use though...

blender: used it extensively five years ago, have seen some great work out
of it. Very different paradigms, and was never very user-friendly.

again, I know the line is "whatever you can use to do the job" but I'm
wondering what would make the most sense to be competitive and compatible
with most studios as a freelancer. I'm sure there are things I'm
overlooking as well.


-- 
Animator & Editor
www.teddygage.com
Brooklyn

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Hi guys just curious for some opinions - not looking to start any &quot;whi=
ch is best&quot; flame fest, but a rational discourse on the current state =
of 3D tools many of you use in conjunction with AE.<div><br></div><div>As a=
 little background, I&#39;m currently looking to pick up and teach myself a=
 new program, but don&#39;t really want to invest hours of training into so=
mething I&#39;ll never use on an actual job. As a caveat, I would already c=
onsider myself an intermediate to strong Maya / Mental Ray user. Maybe it&#=
39;s all I need to know, but I have a new computer and I&#39;m itching get =
some new software under my belt. I&#39;ve started some of the basics of Cin=
ema 4D, which seems to be a relative standard in terms of fast workflow and=
 easier learning curve in motion graphics.=A0</div>

<div><br></div><div>My question is: what would be the best use of my time t=
o begin picking up, or should I just further my investment in Maya?</div><d=
iv><br></div><div>here&#39;s sort of a rundown of the current state of thin=
gs as I see it. I&#39;m sure I have some inaccurate preconceived notions</d=
iv>

<div><br></div><div>Cinema 4d: easiest to use, fast workflow, something of =
a &quot;standard&quot; for motion graphics? Is it still being actively deve=
loped etc? Is it something every studio is using?</div><div><br></div>
<div>
Maya: used a lot in film / high end commercials - steeper learning curve bu=
t very flexible. shaders are complicated but powerful. Good dynamics engine=
=A0</div><div><br></div><div>3dstudio max: used mostly for games / particle=
s work?=A0</div>

<div><br></div><div>Houdini: largely programming / expression based workflo=
w, shaders are a nightmare, most powerful rigging / muscles / particle syst=
em. learning curve is like a cliff (took two months of instruction, barely =
scratched the surface)</div>

<div><br></div><div>XSI / softimage: don&#39;t know much about XSI, good pa=
rticle systems?</div><div><br></div><div>zbrush: specialized modeling, used=
 a lot in games and creature design. confusing GUI (imo) and strange workfl=
ow. very fun to use though...</div>

<div><br></div><div>blender: used it extensively five years ago, have seen =
some great work out of it. Very different paradigms, and was never very use=
r-friendly.=A0</div><div><br></div><div>again, I know the line is &quot;wha=
tever you can use to do the job&quot; but I&#39;m wondering what would make=
 the most sense to be competitive and compatible with most studios as a fre=
elancer. I&#39;m sure there are things I&#39;m overlooking as well.=A0</div=
>

<div><br></div><div><br clear=3D"all"><div><br></div>-- <br><span style=3D"=
color:rgb(0,0,0)">Animator &amp; Editor</span><br style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)=
"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href=3D"http://www.teddygage.com" tar=
get=3D"_blank">www.teddygage.com</a></span><br style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">

<span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Brooklyn</span><br><br>
</div>

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