Blender vs. Pro Apps

[piltupso]

I am new to graphics and I am learning to do some 3-d work as a hobby right now and have come up with a question I am looking for an unbiased answer to, if there is such a thing. I have been learning Blender, mostly because it is free and there seems to big and friendly community of users out there but my question is this. Can anyone tell me how Blender stacks up with some of the pro apps? I have read around but much of the info is really biased or the feature comparisons are for functions I haven't used or learned yet. I just don't want to spend a year learning a piece of software only to find out there is something way better or way easier option out there. Thanks

 

[ATD]

For a free app it's very good. All the 3D apps like to claim long feature lists, it's not a matter of if they will do it but how well they do it and how much control you have. You should ask yourself a few of questions.

What type of work do you want to do with the app?

How deeply do you want to get into it?

How much time and money are you willing to spend?

I have used a number of 3D apps over the years but Maya is my main app now. There are very few things if any, that this app can't do and it offers a insane amount of control over it's features. Everything it does, it does well. The downside to Maya is it's expensive (I'm using Maya Unlimited and it's about $7000) and the learning curve is skull crushing. Maya Compete is about $2000 and it's a very solid app for the price. That said, it's not for everyone.

The best way to go about this is try these apps (many have free demos) and see which one clicks for you. Does what you what it to do, does it do it well and if you can afford the time and money.

 

[failsafe1]

I am also starting to learn 3d in my spare time. There are way too many choices in software to know where to start. I have tried or am trying most of the lower priced apps. Carrara, Blender, Poser, Hexagon, Bryce, and Daz 3d. For me it came down to budget. I did not want to spend anymore cash than need be and realize I had spent too much for no effect. Of all those listed I like Carrara Pro it can be had for $150 edu and Daz 3D runs deals at times for this software and others. I am still trying to get a handle on what I am trying to do. Simply tell a story or create everything from scratch to set a look while telling the story. If I am only telling a story than content from others is OK so perhaps Bryce, Poser, Daz and the like are fine. If I want to create from scratch than Hexagon, Carrara or others like them may be what you want.

 

[Slumbercub]

I had the same dilemma, although experienced in CAD, I wanted to learn a 3D modeller for hobby purposes. I decided on Cheetah3D, Blender frightened the life out of me.

There are lots of altenatives and the Mac platform is particularly strong in this area and it is good advice as already given to try lots of demos. Here is a link to various 3D software with demos:

http://www.pure-mac.com/3d.html

 

[failsafe1]

I had the same dilemma, although experienced in CAD, I wanted to learn a 3D modeller for hobby purposes. I decided on Cheetah3D, Blender frightened the life out of me.

There are lots of altenatives and the Mac platform is particularly strong in this area and it is good advice as already given to try lots of demos. Here is a link to various 3D software with demos:

http://www.pure-mac.com/3d.html

That is a great link. I had forgotten about Cheetah. Do you like it? I had considered it and Silo but went with Carrara for an all in one package. Modeling , animation, and pre-made content use.

 

[piltupso]

Thanks for the input and the link, I may have to try the learning edition of Maya as I keep hearing about it but I was initially put off as I hear any thing made with it will have a watermark over the image and I would hate to work on something for such a long time and not have anything to "show off" without an ugly watermark through the image. I have tried the Daz poser but that left me feeling flat as I wanted to create from scratch. I guess I need to explore the link some and try a few of the other apps on it. I don't really have any plans to go pro at this point but I would someday like to get to pro looking finished products and from what I have seen so far Blender can produce some really nice results, if your patient enough to learn it.

 

[ATD]

Thanks for the input and the link, I may have to try the learning edition of Maya as I keep hearing about it but I was initially put off as I hear any thing made with it will have a watermark over the image and I would hate to work on something for such a long time and not have anything to "show off" without an ugly watermark through the image. I have tried the Daz poser but that left me feeling flat as I wanted to create from scratch. I guess I need to explore the link some and try a few of the other apps on it. I don't really have any plans to go pro at this point but I would someday like to get to pro looking finished products and from what I have seen so far Blender can produce some really nice results, if your patient enough to learn it.

Here's a list of tutorials and DVDs that might help with Maya if you go that way, allow lots of time to get an understanding of this beast


http://www.digitaltutors.com/digital_tutors/index.php

http://www.highend3d.com/maya/tutorials/

http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/dvds/groups/maya1_g.html

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=7&t=6360