Animation Software

[Mikeekim2004]

Is the only acceptable software to make the animation 3dsMAX? We used gmax. I thought it would be ok, seeing as to how both products are manufactured by Autodesk.

If it isn't, does anyone know how to convert gmax files into 3dsMAZ files?
Thanks

[Kevin Thorp]

Check out the rules on the USFIRST.ORG web site. You can use other software in addition to 3dsmax, but you must use 3ds max.

What is the Gmax file format? 3ds max can open .MAX files (of course) as well as importing .3DS, .STL, .IGS and a few other formats.

[Mikeekim2004]

Originally Posted by Kevin342

Check out the rules on the USFIRST.ORG web site. You can use other software in addition to 3dsmax, but you must use 3ds max.

What is the Gmax file format? 3ds max can open .MAX files (of course) as well as importing .3DS, .STL, .IGS and a few other formats.

Well gmax is a baby version of 3dsMAX. It is the same but there are less features.

[syntaxers]

well, there's one big problem here, how are you going to get your gmax animation into a 720x480 avi? You can't render in gmax.
So, you'll have to find an importer. I have had much trouble in finding such an exporter for gmax, or an importer for 3dsmax, so you are on your own.

[robcataus]

Is it just me, or do any of you find Maya a lot easier to model objects and create animations? I just wish there was an easy way to import Maya to 3ds MAX w/o the problems that exist when converting through IGES or OBJ.

[Burne S]

Dude, you're better off just remaking the whole thing in 3DS.
You might waste a whole week on looking for conversion software.

And another thing: What is Maya anyway?

[Kevin Thorp]

Maya is an outstanding 3D animation program than many studios (big & small) use.

I still prefer 3ds max for 3 reasons:

1. It's the one I learned first.

2. It has many ways to import technical geometry (2D & 3d) from CAD programs.

3. discreet generously donates over 1000 licenses to FIRST teams each year.

[Burne S]

Ohh...
I just saw an example and comparison.

For what First wants the teams to do, 3DS Max, with it's balance of characters and everything, was more ideal than the character-emphasized Maya.

THAT's why they sent out 3D Max over Maya.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As for the main question, did you solve it yet, Mikeekim?

[rowe]

Originally Posted by Burne S

Ohh...
I just saw an example and comparison.

For what First wants the teams to do, 3DS Max, with it's balance of characters and everything, was more ideal than the character-emphasized Maya.

THAT's why they sent out 3D Max over Maya.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As for the main question, did you solve it yet, Mikeekim?

...And autodesk/discreet sponser first while Aias does not.