Cinema 4D vs. Lightwave

[Mylenium]

From what I’ve read they’re the two best modeling programs available

No, most definitely neither of the two qualifies for that position. On the SDS modeling side both are surpassed by modo or Siloeasily and there are spline based modelers such as Rhino, which make C4D’s and LW’s tools pale in comparison. However, if you are looking for good generic modeling tools, both programs are appropriate. You should also look into Hexagon for modeling, though i believe they are no longer selling it for 1 buck but rather the full price again, so it may be out of the question.

Specifically I’m looking to create an opening 3D animation for my production company. It’s a flying phoenix (from what I’ve read it’s going to take me a awhile to learn how to do this now matter which program I choose, I’m fully aware of that). I want make the phoenix fly (obviously) and have a full flame skin. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Here things begin to look unfavorably for C4D. Yes, it could do what you want, but most likely you will have to buy extra modules such as Thinking Particles and Pyrocluster for the fire and perhaps even MOCCA for the bone deformations once you start to animate. These modules would substantially add to the cost. Only if you buy at least the XL Bundle, it begins to look acceptable again. In LW you have all tools you need from the start – Particles and Hypervoxels for the Fire as well as an acceptable (though far from perfect) boning system including full support for weightmaps and with the recent offer to pre-order LW 8 plus the free upgrade to v9 it was pretty cheap.

If it’s just for a logo and you don’t plan on forming a long-term relationship with 3D, you possibly would not need to invest any money and could try to learn Blender which is free. If you’re serious, you should have a long-term strategy and make your buying decision based on that rather than the immediate problem at hand.

Mylenium

[Pour Myl

[Adam Trachtenberg]

As Mylenium says, both programs can do the job. However, I think you would find the learning curve less steep with Cinema. LW has a very antiquated interface–it’s actually split in two with separate modeling and animating programs.

I’d disagree that Modo/Silo/Hexagon are way ahead of Cinema in terms of poly modeling. The first two are probably a little ahead, but it’s largely a matter of workflow and taste. I bought Hexagon because it was so cheap but I rarely use it. I find modeling in Cinema much more fluid (and stable).

[Mylenium]

[Adam Trachtenberg] “I’d disagree that Modo/Silo/Hexagon are way ahead of Cinema in terms of poly modeling. The first two are probably a little ahead, but it’s largely a matter of workflow and taste. I bought Hexagon because it was so cheap but I rarely use it. I find modeling in Cinema much more fluid (and stable).”

Mmh, I guess it boils down to that. My main problem with C4D are its quirky selection modes, making poly modeling terribly slow. Also you don’t have things such as the workplane and the action centers as in modo, but instead redundant tools such as normal move, normal scale, various deformers etc. – in modo those are just the standard tools combined with falloffs and action centers which is far superior IMO as it is much more flexible and logical than explicitely coding every tool. This will become even more apparent once those fallows, action centers and effector/ generator combos are put to use with animation, which of course is not yet implememted. Still, everyone expects great things of modo and I’m a believer, too.

Mylenium

[Pour Myl

[Simon Carlson-thies]

First off lets set something straight, MAYA is the king of the modeling and animation world… But if you have to pick between LW and C4D, go with C4D, its easier, and LW seems to be going out, the feature sets for the new releases seem to be less and less impressive, not to mention its interface is extremly confusing. But before you spend money on such things go to blender3d.org and get your self a copy its open source and very powerful, see if that meets your needs before you buy a full package….

Simon Carlson-Thies,
Digital Light Graphics And Animation

[Adam Trachtenberg]

I guess it depends on how you define “king”. Maya is certainly strong in character animation, and animation in general, but it’s modeling workflow isn’t the best. The same could be said for XSI.

[Simon Carlson-thies]

I don’t know about that… but yes the term king is my opinion of the software, but of course, which software is best comes down to personal opinion and how much money you have…

Simon Carlson-Thies,
Digital Light Graphics And Animation

[Michael Munkittrick]

Neither C4D nor Lightwave is widely renowned as exceptional modeling tools, but both are comparable to just about any other