Re. eBay or elsewhere offering cheap software deals, it is easy to get caught. A good rule of thumb is that if it is more than 10% cheaper than the retail price then it is probably illegal, and even un-bundled stuff can fall into that category (though the sellers will say it is legal). What is worth checking out is the upgrade policies for the software you are buying. Then you may be able to pick up an older but legal version on eBay and upgrade. Just make sure that you get a Transfer of License from the seller. I just bought After Effects like that, version 4 for $20, which will save me several hundred dollars when I upgrade.
I think you can buy a full version of XSI for $500 and its rendered is far superior. Not that I’ve had the time to try it. I spent so much time on Maya that its a shame to through that away.
$500 will buy you “Foundation” the entry level version of XSI, not even close to features in Unlimited. They both use Mental Ray as a renderer by the way. Granted the XSI at that price can be used for commercial work.
I read on xsi site that they had maya to xsi docs or something… and key setup like maya. dont know how exactly this will work like maya but they advertise with it on their site easy to migrate from maya 
XSI Advanced is btw same price as Maya unlimited both $7000 big ones
I spent so much time on Maya that its a shame to through that away.
You’d expect there to be a difference, given the difference in price but Foundation is excellent bang for buck from what I’ve seen of the demo.
I have looked at the feature lists, and I don’t quite undestand all of the missing features in the entry level XSI, but it seems to me that anybody who can’t afford the higher cost versions probably can get by with what’s offered.
If that makes any sense.
Well that is probably the way the are marketing it… foundation (all you need) Essetials (everything you want) Advanced (Everything there is)
So all you need would be enough makes me wonder why they even try and sell the other products
There is someone selling Maya on ebay right know. No researve, My bid was $20.00 but I have not gotting any of my questions I sent to the seller responded. Some one outbid me. I am letting go do to lack of trust. I have just gotten an email from Pixologic on contacting Element 5 to get zbrush shipped to my PO Box. (UPS loses everything in my area!) If I am going to spend $500.00 on something it is going to be to finaly stop messing with the demo of Z.
With the new rigging feature I thinking an undisclosed upated maybe a way to animate easier. Just a hunch.
Zbrush kills maya art wise I think and if I really want to animate there are some good freebees.
Good Job!, you will like the Full Version. And as you have carefully evaluated, it cannot be replaced by any other package. XSI/Maya/Max/C4D that might be a tough choice, but ZBrush is a solid cornerstone in your 3D collection. And do not forget that there is also Poser 6 for rigging and animating in a simple and cost effective way. It even gives you Hair to mess with. Just a hint. AND there are many other options once you wish to get into it.
Good Luck!
Lemo
Zbrush is definatly a must have for organic modelers. It’s a wicked good texture painting app so that’s one of the main reasons I use it in my work. XSI is always a fantastic choice and honestly most of us can use Foundation iwthout any envy of the more expensive versions unless you’re working for a studio (in which they’d flip the bill generally anyway for the office). The only real thing people would want in Foundation that’s only in Advanced is hair but there’s work around for fnd. …XSI advanced hair is freakin’ sweet though It’s very fun to play with.
I wonder why XSI still uses that butt ugly UI… they should have a look at macromedia for example… or adobe (ae7) They now how to make a great UI… it still looks like it is made in the 90ies…
I have Amorphium 3 that uses organic meshes as well as a type of box modeling that smoothes as you go. I really like A3 except it has no UVmapping ability and trying to get my detailed models out to another program to map is trial and error. They even crash Deep UV. UVMapper Classic will map them and allow me to take them into Deep Paint 3D (still with some problems), but when I take them back to A3 to render rarely can I get them to map right. I am giving DAZ studio (Freebie) a try for getting things to look right.
I want a program that I can do it all within or at least works well with others.
I hope Amorphium’s next update will fix this, but since the last time I think it was updated was 2002 more then likley it is going extinct. Too bad. I really do like it.
You don’t want to tell me you would throw Money at a Company which has no Phone, Address and only a bogous email address like " E-mail:[email protected]".
Cmon…
Lemo
Btw… I have a burned Toast with an image resembling Pixolator… I’ll sell it to you for only 90$!
No! I wouldn’t!
…but someone told me that the makers of 3d max bought alias “maya”. I did not click on anything to buy. I am just wondering if that is true and if it is the last maya version!
Of course now that you have shown me the site is bogus maybe they are aiding the hype.
Nope, they just don’t put a version number on there so they can sell you whatever comes without the need to change their little rip off site…
I doubt that they even know what it is in detail. And I must tell you that I am sadened by the fact that you show so little interest in that piece of toast. It’s really cool. You should think about it :lol:.
Lemo
I trade you for a half eaten grilled cheese sandwitch with the image of Frank Zappa for it.
I’ll give ya a nickel for that pixolated piece of pumice.
Well here it is. The proof that the makers of 3Ds Max has bought Alias.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=5970886&siteID=123112
I still can not find the write up on the two merging into one peice of software in the future.
umm proof?
Alias website says for long time allready autodesk in the logo?
As for the 2 merging in one it’s a bogus article perhaps in the late future… but for now they will continue 2 products nex to each other.
Highend3d site is now down it seems? But they have correct an article which said they had fired 300 personel from alias…
http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=3371&page=
Speculation from the community has abounded regarding the future of Maya and whether Autodesk would kill it in favour of 3ds Max, or vice versa. This makes little sense as there seems to be no incentive for Autodesk to remove any product line at this stage given the prevalence of both products. Marc Petit, Vice President Product Development and Operations confers, “Our customers are telling us that they’ve very happy using both 3ds Max and Maya. They’re not interested in switching tools. This is supported by the fact that despite major retooling and investment in the industry, the market share for both products have remained consistent.”
“A new 3D package is very far out at this point and is not a priority. Our priority is to maintain the products and to innovate in workflow.”
Further speculation suggests that Maya and 3ds Max may converge to create a hybrid application combining the best of both products. Again, this defies the needs of the customer at this current point in time. “That’s not what our customers are asking for,” says Petit. “Our customers are asking for better data integration, transparent data exchange and harmonization across all products. They want all applications to be able to work with each other seamlessly.” Petit does not deny that a new application is possible, but is not in the works, “A new 3D package is very far out at this point and is not a priority. Our priority is to maintain the products and to innovate in workflow.”