Scared of 3d. Help.

[Mylenium]

[chicagoEditor] “Hey all,
I’ve been an editor and AE user for 10 years, but have never really touched the world of 3d. Can someone recommend software that is the most like After Effects for 3d work. Price is not an issue really, so feel free to mention the “big guns” if those are easier to learn.
Thanks.”

Well, the big guns are the hardest to learn (simply due to their massive number of features, most of which you will never use and especially not as a beginner), so stay away from them. I’ve used Maya ever since v1 but most of the time only 205 of its features were relevant for what I do, if at all. XSI Foundation is perhaps still okay, if you are not scared of highly efficient, but somewhat abstract node-based shading (for defining the look of your objects, textures etc.). Honestly, the classic recommendation is still the best: as a MoGraph-only artist, go for Cinema 4D. It’s affordable, easy to learn, comes with excellent documentation, renders fast and offers even some stuff you will only find in more pricey packages. Lightwave is also okay, but as a long-time user I know so many quirks and bugs in it, that I wouldn’t blindly recommend it.

Mylenium

[Pour Myl

[Vicn]

I would also higly recommend C4d, i’ve been using it for about a year and frequently surprise my maya using friends with the things i pull out, without even really knowing how….

[Jon Herron]

I recommend Cinema 4D also. Dont be scared man jump IN!!!! Its essential to your arsenal.

[Arthur Vibert]

I’m going to say Cinema 4D as well. It has an excellent toolset and will give excellent results even to relative beginners. Maya is great if you are going to be doing a lot of organic modelling, but that doesn’t sound like what you’re after.

Good luck – and have fun.

Arthur VIbert

[Mindy Hilt]

Thanks everyone. I guess it’s Cinema 4d then. I’ve just downloaded the demo, and so far it seems pretty cool. Scary, but cool.

[Chris Smith]

Ditto. C4D.

Chris Smith
https://www.sugarfilmproduction.com