Which program has the most robust character animation toolset - 3D-Palace Community Forums

Whirlwind123 · #1 08-13-2008, 12:53 PM

Hey people. Almost finished my placement year in the visualisation industry and am going back to uni for my final year. I have noticed that there is a lot of character animation for my modules next year and it’s something I have only a very little experience with.

3DS Max is the program I am most familiar with but it isn’t anywhere near as popular for character animation and rigging as Maya and XSI. I was thinking whether I should delve into one of them and maybe getting a student licence for one since FBX makes it easy for me to import back into max so I can still render my animations in VRAY and access my files from the uni computers.

Does this seem like a good idea and which program is considered the best for rigging and character animation?

I am also swayed the digital tutors training material for each which look excellent.

On a side note I have been asked to continue working there while I am uni which is great

InProgress · #2 08-13-2008, 01:00 PM

Well, you could continue learning doing rigging and organic modeling in Max, as you say your the most comfortable with it. The bad thing about FBX is that it doesn't export your UVs with the object. I say try them both, and see which one is the most confortable for you. Maybe more people can help you out than I can.

Whirlwind123 · #3 08-13-2008, 01:17 PM

Organic modeling in max is icky :P Organic Modeling in Modo all the way! The Archi stuff is all in Max though.

I would consider learning rigging and animation in max except there isnt nearly enough training material and the tools seem outdated and maya and XSI are more generally accepted for these tasks.

ragupasta · #4 08-13-2008, 01:18 PM

Motionbuilder ftw!!

Whirlwind123 · #5 08-13-2008, 01:43 PM

Can you rig in Motionbuilder Ragu?

ragupasta · #6 08-13-2008, 01:48 PM

TBh honest whirlwind, I have no idea, I have only built semi-decent rigs before, and thats in max and maya, however I have built one in Houdini and that was fun :P

Check out 3dbuzz, they have re-released their motionbuilder VTM's, and I think I vaugley remeber seeing one about rigs, so check it out and have a poke around

EDIT: Just had a look, and yes you can rig in MB

zero_hour · #7 08-13-2008, 02:03 PM

dont forget endorphin, its along the same lines as MB, there are also free learning editions for both that you can use to try them out

Whirlwind123 · #8 08-13-2008, 02:06 PM

ahhh!! lol I was hopeing my choice would be narrowed down -- not extended :P

zero_hour · #9 08-13-2008, 02:11 PM

lol, well part of it is what YOU feel compfortable with and like using, otherwise you can end up losing some of the enjoyment you get out of doing what it is you like doing (i guess you like doing it otherwise you wouldnt be doing it)

Whirlwind123 · #10 08-13-2008, 02:25 PM

I think I am going to go for Maya since its more industry recognised. I guess it will look good on a CV to have Hard Surface modelling experience with max and VRAY and character animation experience with Maya. Kris Lee should know lol

Also as mentioned before digital tutors (which I have always found to be very good to learn from), has a huge selection of training material for it which I will try to go through as much as I can afford.