Max 2020

[Jeffrey]

I was planning to do the move but I got stuck, I work with several people and revit, Autocad is part of the formats that I need to work with them.... I almost got a license of Archicad and Cinema4D but I had to put them on hold.

I've downloaded Cinema4D trial version and so far I'm pleasantly surprised with its import capabilities. Can you share your experiences?

[flino2004]

Cinema4D is one of the most robust 3D apps in the market; I'm hoping they don't sell it to Autodesk... but, money talks!!!

[^Lele^]

Maxon's part of a conglomerate, with much the same (ish!) set of products as Autodesk (f.e., AllPlan), so it's unlikely they'd sell off their 3D DCC app to the competition.

[YoyoBoy]

I've been using Max 2016 for four years, and I just installed the 30-day trial of 2019, two days before the 2020 announcement. I gotta say, I'm blown away by how fast it is by comparison. I also just got a pair of 4k monitors, and 2016 doesn't work right on them. I do like the idea of switching to something else, but I do a lot of archaeology-related work, and archaeology projects never die, they just lose funding for a few years. I never know when I'll need to resurrect a project I haven't touched in years. So, after a certain large paycheck that I'm expecting comes in, I will regretfully be succumbing to the Autodesk rental racket.

[gandhics]

That is rich, just rich!
I left the AD barge, too, and am not planning to update. I will probably try a new application before paying anything else to AD.
I am enjoying the comments on this thread.

One of beta user request that on beta forum and dev implemented in a week.
I think dev should not have dont it.

[gandhics]

Wait. What's new about this chamfer modifier? I recently upgraded to 2016 (only for vray) which has this built in chamfer modifier. But I still often use Marius Silaghi's quad chamfer modifier (which has existed forever) which works even better and has a great 'push' feature for a seam-like edge.

You can try it by yourself. But, a lot of effort went in to various corner cases.
Chamfering poly/mesh is not mathematically easy task if you try to get a consistent(fixed) chamfer width from various uncleaned edges.
Now I can just throw uncleaned CAD model and get almost usable chamfer right away.
Everyone complained about half-baked features.
So, dev wanted to address quality than quantity.

Also now it has vrsious width chamfer. Not have DCC has this.
Currently you can use Crease value to control range of width,
But, other methods will be added too.

It is still going on to add even more featuresto chamfer.
In the current beta, I can add chamfer and add Turbosmooth on just imported CAD model. I got almost 90% there.
FYI, I tried the same model in Maya(around 14000 verts). Maya just crashed.

[^Lele^]

In the current beta, I can add chamfer and add Turbosmooth on just imported CAD model. I got almost 90% there.

Which, truth be told, is patently not equal to being any closer to the finished job.

FYI, I tried the same model in Maya(around 14000 verts). Maya just crashed.

Now that's the right way to inform users about their misplaced expectations.
Give the CAD model to pro data preppers, and do the dirty, hand work as it's always been done, as it will always be done, smart chamfer algos notwithstanding.

I appreciate your staunch defense of AD, you have put time into the beta.
We're not new to the trade either in here, and for some of us users, this is *never* going to float the (expensive AND exclusive!) boat.
Max 2.5 had two *thousand* new commands and features over 2.0.
They offer quite a few less, and the stability is all to be verified still.
Too little oxygen be too little oxygen, period.

[gandhics]

I know all CAD model need to go through proper prep stage. But, the less prep requires, the better.
The case mentioned, I did not even define what to chamfer. I just added the modifier.
Compare to the previous version, there were only few edges left to take care.
So, it it worthress effort since some one will prep anyway even though it will greatly reduce prep time?

It also has inset checkbox to generate inset.
Dev could add as s seperate modifier and add one more item to the list.
But, they decided to put in Chamfer because thats more efficient.

If user think feature list is light, Well, I guess that's that. I can not force them ti think other wise.
But, at least, user should complains whats in there first to complain.
Or. should be better informed to decided.

Someone asked what's added in Chamfer.
So, I explained.

Also I don't or need to "defend" AD. Most of time I just try to explain for better communication.
I do same thing for VRay. and I dont "defend" VRay.

[dgruwier]

In the current beta, I can add chamfer and add Turbosmooth on just imported CAD model. I got almost 90% there.
FYI, I tried the same model in Maya(around 14000 verts). Maya just crashed.

Wait so did Max crash too? I don't understand what you mean by getting 90% there

[gandhics]

Wait so did Max crash too? I don't understand what you mean by getting 90% there

I meant it was 90% usable.
Because I did not preselect any edges to chamfer and solely rely on angle threshold. There were a few edges didn't get chamfer and TSed..
Also, a few polygons didn't look good after TS which I can solve by adding a few more edges.
That's why I said 90% there.
Without new fearuees, it would need a lot of edge clean up to get anything renderable mesh.

3dsMax chamfered the geo in less than min.