OK so I’m trying to figure out what 3D animating program is best for what function.
I have gathered that Zbrush is best for redering and details. Poser is most likely for animation. And maya probably for making video games or something. So what are they really best at, and how far off are my guesses?
Your guesses are a long way off. (and that’s understatement of the year) Spend a while learning- take your time, perhaps over a couple of years, and read about 3D in general, and not ‘what program is best for what function’. It depends on what it is you’re trying to achieve, how you work, how you plan on getting it done… and many other factors. In short: you’re trying to figure out the wrong thing.
maybe soooo. But you honestly can’t tell me that the way Zbrush is set up right now is good for animating complicated objects. Especially if they have loose flaps of flesh(like dinosaurs mouth) or loose clothes.
But you honestly can’t tell me that the way Zbrush is set up right now is good for animating complicated objects.
Of course it isn’t. It’s not set up for animation at all! You can create an object, or edit one in Zbrush, but you can’t animate it. If you want to animate it, you do it elsewhere. Loose flaps of flesh and complexity has nothing to do with anything at all. In Poser you might find you can manipulate a complex mesh realtime faster than in something like Blender, but that doesn’t mean one is ‘better’ than the other for animating.
Like I said, learn more. As you go you’ll answer your own questions over time.
most 3d programs are general-purpose, ie animating, modelling, texturing, whatever, like blender, 3ds max, maya or lightwave. Zbrush is meant only for creating high-detail meshes or for detailing meshes created in other apps like 3ds max, also for texturing. The only other competing program for zbrush is mudbox, but there I didn’t see a lot of features and it couldn’t handle huge amounts of polygons as well. As reactor said, you can debate this here all you want but it will be a waste of time, just go and learn blender or 3ds max if you’ve got the $$.
Zbrush is also for creating 2.5D works of art…
ummm ok then.
I gathered most are equal to each other by like modeling, rendering, and so on. Sorry for the confusion there. So then which one should I use Maya(which I have) or 3ds Max(which I can get).
Not really by which is better, but which one is easier and more user friendly.
Honestly, you really are asking the wrong question. What you need to ask yourself is, “what do I want to do with 3D?” If you want to get into games, then Max is the better way to go because that’s the program that’s most used in that industry. If you’re looking at movies, then Maya is probably the better bet. Different programs have been embraced by different industries.
Please do not ask “which program is better” kinds of questions because you’ll never get an accurate response. Everyone is biased, based on their own backgrounds, preferences and needs. To get a truly useful response you would need to hear from someone with equal experience and comfort in both of the programs being compared – something you’re unlikely ever to find.
So figure out what you want to do with 3D, then research to find out what software is being used for that industry. After that, hunker down and learn the app(s)! It won’t matter if the program is easier than another or not. What will matter is that you’ll be devoting your time working toward your personal goal.
Thank you that really helped, honestly.
You answered what I was really wondering about, which one to use for which purpose. B/c I’ve noticed that most will use Max or something but few will use Maya. Now then, I would like to do video games, what exactly makes Max the better choice for doing games?
Perhaps you should go here for better discussion on Max…
Poser Prejudice
Unfortunately I’m trying to start a serious graphics company with some friends. One of my partners told me that the industry looks down on poser.
However, I’ve been using to make my comic strips for a college paper. Compared to Maya, I’ll agree its not for video games, bu’t I can’t agree it’s for animation. There are just too many better animations programs which include better model making tools for me to agree.
However, as far as illustration goes, Poser it very powerful start. That’s why some of the comic industry has embraced poser for it’s speed instead of Maya fro comics like “Batman” and “X-men”.
We’re getting a full version of Maya for about 2000 dollars. Compared to Poser at 300 I say buy poser. However, Daz 3d Studio is 
free and works like poser.
Before you buy poser try Daz3d at www.daz3d.com
_Lingartist
Poser Prejudice
Unfortunately, I’m trying to start a serious graphics company with some friends and one of my partners told me that the industry looks down on Poser.
However, I’ve been using to make my comic strips for a college paper. Compared to Maya, I’ll agree it’s for video games, but’ I can’t agree it’s for animation. There are just too many better animations programs which include better model making tools for me to agree. However, as far as illustration goes, Poser is very powerful start. That’s why the comic industry has embraced poser for it’s speed instead of Maya for comics like “batman” and “x-men”.
We’re getting a full version of Maya for about 2000 dollars. Compared to Poser at 300 I say buy poser. However, Daz 3d Studio is :lol: free :lol: and works like poser.
Before you buy poser try Daz3d at www.daz3d.com
_Lingartist
because poser is not a serious 3d modelling app but just used to create characters that can easily be recognized by the experienced eye as poser-made. maya/3ds max/blender 3d/lightwave on the other hand can be used to make ANYTHING! That’s why they require a lot of study & training & practice to get any good at.
Great reply, Aurick.
Gibraltor, have you ever asked someone what shovel it is they’re using when they’re digging a hole? Asking about 3D software, at times, is just as pointless. At the end of the day, you pick the tool that allows you to get whatever you want to do done, the way you like to do it. No one questions shovels because everyone knows they’re built for one task- digging. 3D software is the same, except many tools make up a single program, like Maya or Max. So, a 3D suite is like a collection of tools… shovels, rakes, etc.
Here’s the thing though- If you like digging holes with a bent shovel, then you can do that. If you’re faster using a rake instead of a leaf blower to move leaves, you can do that too… even if everyone else thinks you’re dumb for doing so. And, if you like using the worst bit of software to make games, you can do that too (and I’ve done that one, personally). That’s why we say there’s no ‘better or worse’ choice for everyone. Sometimes you might want to learn a bit of software because a certain company uses it, but most of the time it’s good to start with what you like using. It often makes learning much more enjoyable.
Download as many trials as you can, read manuals, play around, and dig some holes with them shovels!
Sounds good, thank you guys for your input on the matter. Sooooo I can use anything for anything(Zbrush not included). If that’s the case I think I’ll use Maya b/c I have a book on it lol.
Off topic but how do you go about making clothes for a model, plus how do you put the clothes you made for your model…on your model.
using cloth simulations. As I once said, “learn to crawl before you learn to walk”
hehe ok…
One last thing- don’t be a pirate, buy your software. That means, if you can’t afford Maya, use the personal learning edition, or use a free (or low cost) program like Blender or Wings3D and save your pennies for Maya. Too many beginners use pirate copies these days thinking nothing will happen to them for it. Bad things happen to pirates, trust me on that. Also, owning your software will increase your dedication to learning that one tool. Plus, it supports the developers, who don’t deserve being ripped off.
true that, although some programs really don’t have a free trial version. And most that do have a time period so you really don’t get to work it much. Soooo in some sense I don’t think pirate stuff is tooooo bad as long as you buy the program in the end.
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