MAYA 5

[ShadesWolf]

Has anybody used Maya 5 for creating 3D animation (ie work on BIF's)

[Metal Storm]

I wish I've heard great things about it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[Thoros of Myr]

A long time friend of my mom is a professional artist. He mostly does abstract art and uses CG programs to give him "ideas". Anyway he told me that he prefers 3dsmax over maya for pretty much everything but he isint into computer games so who knows. It comes down to personal preferance in the end anyway http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

OT: BTW ShadesWolf, I hope wolves don't get relegated this season

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[ShadesWolf]

Thankyou Thoros of Myr I also hope Wolves stay up http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-2thumbsup.gif

OK back to the thread, In my lastest copy of PC Plus Issue 214 April 2004. It has a free copy of Maya 3D PLE.

So far I am struggling with it, however I can import all 12 BMP frames and animate them,hense I can see what any changes look like without having to convert them back into BIF and launched MTw.

Just thought I would let you all now, I also believe it is available as a free download from their web site.

If anybody is intersted take a look....

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

I have used Maya, MAX, Lightwave and Softimage 3D since 1996 as well some other smaller cheaper programs (Poser, Bryce, Cinema4D, AWB, WCS, Vue d'Esprit, Truespace, etc...). From the top 5 modelling, animation, rendering programs (Maya, MAX, Lightwave, Softimage XSI and Houdini) I would say that each one has their own particular strong points:

-Maya: Character Animation, Soft and Rigid Body Dynamics.
-MAX: Crowd Control (CharacterStudio) and Material Editor.
-Lightwave: Modeler and Renderer.
-Softimage: Modeler, Character Animation and Renderer.
-Houdini: Procedural Materials and Shaders, Soft and Rigid Body Dynamics, Particle System.

So, in regard to your question, maybe the best is Lightwave. This is because, what is needed for MTW is 12 stills of different static positions, and Lightwave has a very user-friendly modeler. Maya is more complex. But, then again, animation previews come with all 5 programs.

Hope this helps... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[ShadesWolf]

Thanks for the info Aymar de Bois Mauri http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-2thumbsup.gif

[Lord Zimoa of Flanders]

Thank you i was planning to go for Max 3D Studio but you use them all and Lightwave it is than,because i want to use it only for MTW and maybe later RTW.Any change you know a alternative way to optain a copy because these programs cost a lot.Send me a PM if anybody can help me out...

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif CZoF

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

As ShadesWolf said, Maya has a fully functional Demo version. I never tried it, but I think it allows full functionality for a period of time.

Other alternative is if you know a friend who has one of those programs. Then you can use it once in a while.

Other than that, only buying the program. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-sad3.gif

[Duke Malcolm]

Is there anywhere it is possible to download the Maya demo thingy?

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ]Is there anywhere it is possible to download the Maya demo thingy?
Try: Alias Maya Personal Learning Edition 5 (http://www.alias.com/eng/products-services/maya/maya_ple/index.shtml)

The link that says: Free download available now.

Hope this helps... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[Duke Malcolm]

Thanks.

[Duke Malcolm]

Is there also anywhere I can download a trial of that Lightwave thingy

[Gothic_war_monkey]

why not just buy the full version? All you need is $1500 I doubt there is any way to legally obtain a copy of lightwave(although im probably wrong)

GWM

[Lord Xelous]

For those of you without limitless funds, I use Milkshape3D for modelling...

http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

There is another alternative:

Wings 3D (http://www.wings3d.com/)

Extremelly intuitive and powerfull for an open source program http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-thumbsup.gif