Mantrid's Journal: Cinema 4D??

I spent a few years learning 3ds MAX R3 and then R4 including a few Morrowind mods. Problem is I no longer have access to it and it costs about USD $4000 to buy! And I refuse to pirate it. So I haven't really been doing any modelling etc. for a few months.

I've been finding that I miss it! Not the Morrowind modding so much - Morrowind mods are fun for viewing your creations and animations, and seeing them interact. But I just like to model and see what I can create etc. To add insult to injury about the time I realized I wouldn't be able to do 3ds anymore I'd just created a very nice scorpion model - the joints etc, the thing was just moving in a very cool way (using forward and inverse kinematics) - it was almost spooky to watch it move. Then poof no more MAX :(

So what's a hobbiest to do? Well I purchase 3D World magazine etc., and then really realize that I miss doing 3D work. Then in one issue they have a review and a demo of Cinema 4D R8 - now C4D seems to have more features than MAX, and the demo runs well - I've been looking into some pricing and damn, this things only costs USD $595 for the basic package.

The more I play with this thing, the more I like it. I think I may actually pony up the dough, if I can convince my wife anyways, and go out and buy C4D.

Anyone out there had much experience with C4D?

I've got C4D ArtSuite R7

[MonTemplar]

Still getting to grips with the lighting and texturing side, but for me it's got the modeller that I'm most comfortable with. Got started with Bryce (still a good package, by the way, and not just for amateurs), and have tries various others (TrueSpace, Amapi, Blender) over the years, but Cinema4D and I clicked right away.

Check the Maxon [maxon.net] website for prices. The good news is that you can mix and match modules according to your needs and budget.

Re:I've got C4D ArtSuite R7

[Mantrid]

Thanks. I've been at their site everyday since I got the demo - the price really is quite reasonable. It's my wife I have to convince at this point :) I may look into financing. The base package looks fine - but I notice they have an 'advanced rendering' module - that's one thing I'd be slightly concerned about missing - if say, caustics or something isn't included in the base package. Most of the other stuff I could probably wait for. I may call up a local VAR and see what info I can get from them...

I am impressed with the render quality and speed and the general ease of use; probably easier to use than MAX, except that I'm so used to MAX. It's frustrating to be stuck with no saving :)