AD Maintenance plans look like being phased out.......

[JezUK]

JezUK

Out of interest, what software are you looking at to replace 3DS Max. This will be the last year I pay for my maintenance plan
and I have no plans of going onto subscription, just can't afford it. So I guess I need to start learning an new 3D package but
there are quiet a few choices, what would be the easiest package to transition to from 3DS Max ?

Steve

Steve, right now I reckon I'll stick with 3ds Max and keep paying the perpetual maintenance for a couple more years. I'll kinda tie it in with the next jump in the Windows OS I make (I'm still on W7), so will get to the next best stable 3DS Max, next best Windows version and then stop the payments.

That should last me a fair while and I'll be free from paying any more money to that money pit that is AD.

By that time.... who knows what I'll be using next

[SteveC]

Thanks Jez, that sounds like a good plan. As max 2018 will be my last version i'm hoping it will be a useable release so i can get a couple or 3 years use out of it, while learning another software to move over to, not holding my breath though as l've not used max 2017 at all in production.

[flino2004]

that is my plan too...I'm looking into Cinema4d Visualize to replace 3ds MAX

[JezUK]

that is my plan too...I'm looking into Cinema4d Visualize to replace 3ds MAX

I've downloaded and installed Modo - had a small play with it last night.

I'm going to simply start getting accustomed to these other pieces of software out there over the next few months - Blender too and maybe Cinema 4d.

My maintenance plan isn't up for renewal until August.

I've already started using BricsCAD instead of the AutoCAD LT that I have, and honestly I'm really looking forward to getting rid of Autodesk in my life - they've been nothing but a pain and it'll be liberating and refreshing to be free of them.

[waaazoo]

spread it over the network

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition...business_plan/

[JezUK]

that is my plan too...I'm looking into Cinema4d Visualize to replace 3ds MAX

flino2004, I think that could be the way to go - I've been doing some more research and it's between Modo and Cinema 4D, most likely with C4D Visualize winning it.

So I think I might just stop my maintenance renewal fees this year - I mean, I've been paying those for years and still turn to 2014 most times.......

Whichever option I go for, I'm going to be darned careful I'm not picking a company who'll sell out to Autodesk...... (crystal ball anyone ?)

[Alex_M]

Is Vray for Cinema4D mature enough? Last time I checked (a couple of years ago) it was quite a bit behind Max and Maya in terms of development. Have things changed? Also, why don't I see it in my downloads section?

[JezUK]

Is Vray for Cinema4D mature enough? Last time I checked (a couple of years ago) it was quite a bit behind Max and Maya in terms of development. Have things changed? Also, why don't I see it in my downloads section?

I'm guessing for the same reason you won't see SketchUp, Maya, etc etc - you'll only see the downloads for the software you purchased V-Ray for.

Either way Alex, I'm not going to let that difference force me to stick with 3DS Max - Autodesk has had it as far as I'm concerned (it's too negative for me to keep hearing 3DS this, Mudbox that, look what happened to Softimage etc etc - I can't be doing with it anymore. Hell, right now, I've just opened, for the first time, a 3d drawing in BricsCAD, which will cost only 640GBP or thereabouts if I choose to buy...... do you know how much I've paid for AutoCAD LT over, I think, 4 years, for just 2D ???? About 1800GBP...... Sheer bloody madness).

[SteveC]

Is Vray for Cinema4D mature enough? Last time I checked (a couple of years ago) it was behind Max and Maya in terms of development. Have things changed? Also, why don't I see it in my downloads section?

It says on the Vray for C4D site that it has the version 3.4 core,so it looks like it might not be too far behind. I must admit that C4D is
looking like the the pick of the bunch for me. Their visualize package is at a nice price point, I believe they also do a side grade price if you
swap over from Max, though I'm not sure how much this is.

My subscription is up in May so I need to dig a bit deeper into C4D, see if I can convert my asset library from Max to C4D, also need
to see what plugins are compatible, I only use PSD Manager, Forest Pro and Rail Clone, I'd like to continue using them but I can live
without them if I have to.

[JezUK]

It says on the Vray for C4D site that it has the version 3.4 core,so it looks like it might not be too far behind. I must admit that C4D is
looking like the the pick of the bunch for me. Their visualize package is at a nice price point, I believe they also do a side grade price if you
swap over from Max, though I'm not sure how much this is.

My subscription is up in May so I need to dig a bit deeper into C4D, see if I can convert my asset library from Max to C4D, also need
to see what plugins are compatible, I only use PSD Manager, Forest Pro and Rail Clone, I'd like to continue using them but I can live
without them if I have to.

I'm in complete agreement with you Steve, I'm the same, my sub runs out in August, and I have all the plugins you mention as well.

I'm probably going to go for Cinema 4d Visualize also and whilst I too have a huge library (as I'm sure we all do), I'll stomach converting what's needed at each time per project. Maybe there are converters already out there ?

[SteveC]

I'm sure I've seen posts about about converting max to C4D so I recon the odds are there'll be some way of doing it. It's be
nice to talk to some people who've gone through the change before us, see if we can get some insight into any advantages/pitfalls.

[theedge]

maybe this can help : http://www.3dtoall.com/products/maxtoc4d/
Not tested though.

[JezUK]

maybe this can help : http://www.3dtoall.com/products/maxtoc4d/
Not tested though.

Nice, thanks for that - will take a look

[flino2004]

flino2004, I think that could be the way to go - I've been doing some more research and it's between Modo and Cinema 4D, most likely with C4D Visualize winning it.

So I think I might just stop my maintenance renewal fees this year - I mean, I've been paying those for years and still turn to 2014 most times.......

Whichever option I go for, I'm going to be darned careful I'm not picking a company who'll sell out to Autodesk...... (crystal ball anyone ?)

this year I'm stuck with them because I use AutoCAD & Revit (sometimes) and I'm in the middle of several projects.....definitely I'm moving to another company....The feeling of freedom just replacing adobe was energizing and having all the AD crap out my life would be a good relief .

I use 3ds max only for renderings(my projects most of the time)....I don'tuse it for modelling because I have to design my projects first (Sketchup & Rhino.... Autocad, Revit) and visualization for another people I only do it for old clients.

[flino2004]

BricsCAD also has "subscription and perpetual" version.....and it looks identical as any AD product.