3D Max V.S Maya Animation Software Comparison

By Cody Landon

When you get two strong market contenders the question constantly arises well which one is the best and what is it that makes it best? The similar concept applies to nearly any product and the world of animation software is no different.

Therefore, we look at the 2 major soft-ware being 3DMax and Maya. Every thing has good and bad points and after all the two products are competitive against one another by their respective owners. The difference heres that both of these dynamic soft-ware packages are owned by the same Organization. Now that doesn't make any sense that a company would compete against itself does it? The motive for the acquisition could be to buy the competitor out and then shelve the weaker of the two. This's not the case here however, as Autodesk now owns both 3D Max and Maya and doesn't intend to take either one of them off the market. It might not sound like it but their concept is very viable.

As we said both of these items, have their strengths and weaknesses but are well liked and well-used in the industry. Autodesk simply has decided to take the weaknesses of both and strengthen them with the attributes from its counter-part.

Their strong points. 3D Max is a favourite with the architectural and visualization animators, where as Maya is the one of selection for TV and film industry. 3D Max has remarkable conceptual modeling tools, large-scale environment creation and operates well with some other Autodesk product lines to name a few of the main features. Maya on the other hand has stunning character rigging, animation layering as well as motion capture handling capabilities that surpass 3d Max.

Maya has large advantages over 3D Max regarding Nurbs modeling. This is because the software has taken on a different approach in this region, which signifies it's easier to use. Nurbs are complex surfaces it will be the technique you would use to create a polygon for instance. The effects that the animator can get regarding fluid are amazing with Maya. It will allow very realistic simulations of fluid and gas reaction in the real and the ocean shader it has implemented produces amazing quality for water animation. And also with Maya, you can free hand draw and use a 3D paint effects that include some special effects too done with what's called Paint Effects.

To determine which's the best first depends on your budget as 3D Max is more low-priced, but say your purpose is Architectural and Visualization then you arent going to get a bargain because Maya is better suited here. For the special effects in animation then Maya is the choice. Lastly, the decision will come down to what your computer can handle. Maya operates on Windows, Mac and Linux with Max being restricted to Window based systems only. - 29852

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