Ola

Okay!

I am probably asking a question that has been asked over and over again, But I would like to get some advice from you seasoned Arch viz pros. I am looking to get back into Arch viz since college experimentation and would like to know the pros and cons of choosing one software over the other.

Here is my situation

1. I use both Auto Cad 2008 and Vectorworks 12 proficiently. Comfortable modelling in both programs.

2. Prefer the Mac platform (Intel 8 core Mac Pro with 9Gb Mem) but have and also use PC regularly.(Boot camp and a dell box)

3. More interested in interior Viz,furniture and product than exteriors

4. Cost differences btw the two products is not a factor in decision making


I appreciate the feedback. Even after playing with demos of both programs its hard to make a purchasing decision.

Thanks
Ola

Brian Bradley

Hi,

Best advice as always is Try them both and see!!

Regards
Bri

PS My personal perspective is that Max can do anything
you need and more. But then I know it pretty well.

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AJLynn

I think it comes down to personal preference, since you've eliminated most of the factors that would make or break one or the other. C4D, of course, has a Mac version and will almost certainly have an update for OSX 64 bit within a short time of the Panther release. OTOH, Max has much better handling of AutoCAD files and better availability of render plugins.

The C4D Advanced Renderer is nice and there's a lot to like about it but for GI renders there are others that are much better. The Windows version of C4D has finalRender2, which may or may not become available for OSX. VRay for C4D will be available... soon, I hope, and maybe for OSX. Then there's Maxwell (don't go there) and Fry (Windows only for now, and it's not fast).

Max comes with mental ray, which is pretty kickass. Max 2008 has been announced with more mental ray updates. It also has the most 3rd party engines available for it, such as Vray, which people tend to like.

Both have demos available, so try them out.

castroman

Being an old max man who converted to cinema I can say that it doesn't feel like I am working when vizualizing in cinema compared to max. cinema is rock solid, rarely crashes. I am using an older version, but still it feels great. Recently I started to work for a company that uses autodesk products(revit/autocad/3d studio viz) and I must say that the integration between Revit and viz is very good. By the looks of it that will improve even further in future releases.

I haven't used vectorworks but I understand that the integration between it and cinema is good seeing as they are owned by the same company.

If you are already using a good mac system and since you are proficient in vectorworks then I would probably go with cinema.

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STRAT

i'm an ex-maxer. cinema for me is a beautiful peice of kit. simple and easy and so user friendly.

max/viz completely over complicates itself with buttons, options, check boxes, choices etc etc etc. you almost need a degree in rocket science to figure the thing out. and most of the render options you'll never even need.

cinema is the complete oposite. neat and simple. not faffing about and confusing the heck out of you. what you see is what you get. even though i use viz and cinema, cinema will always me my number 1 render engine.

saying that, viz/max and cinema will still knock out stunning imagery. one is not better than the next, no matter how simple i make cinema sound.

as we keep saying, they're both only tools. it's how a good artist uses them that makes them sing.

but to answer your 4 questions -

1) i too model mainly in autocad. (never tried vw). the link between AC (and VW) and cinema is superb.

2) cinema was originally a mac program. it works in both formats.

3) take your pick. each is as good.

4) cinema is a lot cheaper.

try them both. cinema is more rock solid, stable, simpler, easier etc etc, but max is the industry standard, has 1000's of clickable options etc etc. both will do the job.

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IC

Have you looked at LightWave?
It's easy to learn, competitively priced and was recently given a major overhaul with emphasis on cameras, surfacing and rendering.

Runs on PC and Mac including 64 bit versions.

Or Modo?

Check out all your options.

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Noise

We use Max and personally, I would suggest not to touch it. Although - I have not used other programs to the same level but, I know Max is overly complex and in desperate need of an overhaul.

Brian Bradley

Couldn't disagree more!!

Regards
Bri

__________________
3Ds Max - Mental Ray - VRay - Brazil Training Modules
www.mentalboutmax.co.uk
The MBM Blog
www.mentalboutmax.blogspot.com
Vray Learning Resource
www.vrayelite.com

Ola

Thanks guys for all the valuable advice. I have played with both and found that its possible to achieve great Visuals in both software . I wasn't sure if 3Ds Max had a significant advantage because of its huge user base, but it seems that this only reflects the initial software exposure most artist have had and personal preference.

I will be going with Cinema 4D

Thanks again guys and keep up the good work

Ernest Burden

And did we mention how stable Cinema is?

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Ernest Burden III
AcmeDigital
architectural rendering