Big Thanks to Everyone!

[Mazin]

pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate pirate, and when you're done doing that, pirate some more.


No, seriously, I am not happy with Autodesk's 3ds max, and what I perceive to be an overpriced, bloated piece of software that is very buggy and suffers from a lot of legacy cruft. Every year they release a new version of the software with broken file-format compatibility, and basically force feed it onto everybody using an older version.
They're starting to act like Microsoft. No. They've been acting like Microsoft. They give you the first hit free. Then, when you become dependent, they make you pay.

If you want to learn something, might as well learn Blender while you're at it. People whine and moan about the interface, but it's actually usable when you take the time to learn. Nobody learned Max in a day.

And Blender is free, as in freedom. You can install it on as many computers as you like. Files are forwards and backwards compatible, unlike Max's closed binary format. You don't have to worry about how many licenses you currently have. You don't have to worry about whether installing it on your home computer will use up the X number of licenses you have. You don't have to worry about being dependent on Max like an addict is on crack, and being forced to shell out money. There are no rules to follow on how you can and cannot use the software (besides the GPL, that is).

If you don't agree with my first paragraph, then consider switching. If you don't want to switch, keep pirating.

(Sorry for derailing the thread too far. I agree that Pete is a great help to everybody on the forums, and has continually blessed us with his expert advice. in b4 negs)