Maya or MAX?...

**mo206** · September 8th, 2006, 04:36 AM

So which is the industry standard?..Or is there even one? I am looking to learn a 3D program and just curious which is the "better" one to learn?

A good analogy could be...one is Adobe Illustrator and the other is Macromedia's Freehand? Or am I wrong? Any answers would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!!

**chrike** · September 8th, 2006, 05:24 AM

ah good question! I was wondering bout that, too. And is it kind of senseless to learn softimage xsi? Seems to be a great software (and there´s a free modders version on their homepage) but I never read it here in a job offer description.

**PHL** · September 8th, 2006, 12:16 PM

Different studios use different software. They also have their own programs.
It'd be good to know both programs.

**dinodog_Jr** · September 8th, 2006, 02:27 PM

I started wif Max. I dun like it. I couldn't understand the working flow.
Then, i attended XSI foundation class. I am in love wif XSI.

After 3 years, i gave Maya a try due to most of the companies prefer Max & Maya user.

Now i like MAYA & XSI. Choose the one easier for job hunting around ur areas.

**Richter** · September 9th, 2006, 10:04 PM

get the demos/trials of both programs and play around with it, you may end up liking one over the over (perhaps even both). Most of the things done in in 3DS can be done in Maya (and vice versa)

**Seedling** · September 9th, 2006, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by PHL

Different studios use different software.

Yup, what he said.

FYI, I'm dumping a bunch of information about the games industry into a thread in the employment section. Click the link in my sig to get there if you like.

**Justin.** · September 9th, 2006, 11:45 PM

Most will say Video game studios use Max because it's tech is more oriented twoard getting the most out of the fewest polygons. Maya is said to be used more for artistic things or things where poly numbers aren't an issue; Movies, animations, still pieces, etc.

**Seedling** · September 11th, 2006, 02:07 PM

At Turbine we use Maya. When I was at LucasArts, most of the company used Max, but my team used Lightwave because it was cheaper and did what we needed.

**mo206** · September 11th, 2006, 06:14 PM

Thanks to all who responded!!! It definately helped.....
I really appreciate that y'all took the time. Thanks!

**NoSeRider** · September 19th, 2006, 04:55 AM

You got artists and you got engineers......try to be an artist first. I'm learning Maya only because it's predominantly used in my county.

**kennytbr** · September 19th, 2006, 05:33 AM

MAYA is the standard in the Movie industry, MAX is the standard in the games industry, XSI has application in both but is not as widely used.

The best way to choose is to use each 3D program and decide which you like the most. I started in Max and ended up in XSI as I think it has the best modelling tools and render engine intergration.

However all packages have their seperate strengths and weaknesses so it's best to get to know all of the main applications and then specialise in your favourite. Remember if you get into the industry you won't always have the choice of which package to use.

Currently I use XSI for modelling and rendering, Max to UVW map my models as of version 8 as it has a well implemented pelt mapping feature. Maya Paint Effects to create organic models like trees in an efficient time scale. ZBrush for high resolution models for Normal/Displacement maps.