Cinema 4D vs Lightwave... I'm giving up on Lightwave

[Fiercehairdo]

I need advice on changing my 3D app. I have used Lightwave(8.5) for several years now but I find it an incredibly frustrating and annoying programme. I use it on a Mac and it seems full of bugs, very unstable and sometimes willfully obscure in its interface and counter-intuitive. Nevertheless I've struggled on with it and got some pretty good results even though it sometimes feels like I'm fighting against the software to get it to do what I want.

Anyway, after a recent disaster where 5 days of modeling had to be abandoned and restarted after the file repeatedly crashed Layout I've decided I'm giving up on Lightwave for good. I'm looking at Cinema 4D. Would really like some pointers as to how Cinema 4D stacks up next to Lightwave. I'd go for Maya but the price is way out of my budget. Looking at Zbrush and Mudbox for modeling also which seem amazingly intuitive after Lightwave's modeler.
Is Cinema 4D good for hi-res still images?
Is the realism as good as Lightwave? Is it an easy transition from Lightwave to Cinema 4D?

Details:
Intel Mac. Lightwave 8.5.
I nearly only use 3D apps for hi-res still imagery. Not animation.
I'm looking for photo-real results as the 3D work is usually combined with still photography.

Please help me pick the next 3D app. Lightwave on a mac is just too unstable to risk real jobs on. I've lost all patience with it...

[zen]

How about really rubbing it into their faces and consider modo. its a strong contender if you don't intend to do any animation.
it's pretty good application.

[Fiercehairdo]

Thanks Zen. Just checking out Modo now. Looks pretty good so far.

[Flipz]

If you hadn't put about budget I'd have said Max but seeing as you did I won't mention it again :lol:

So my next choice which fits with your budget and your past lightwave experience has to be Modo, cheap, great people doing it, real helpful whenever I've asked anything.

The editor of this very mag uses it so you could always PM him and see what he says ? Personally I'd learnt too much in maya and found the transition hard so have stuck with maya ( & max some times ), I didn't get on with Cinema when I tried it but plenty of people do and I've seen some great results with it. Download the trials of both, see how you get on with each ? And if you want to try modo for longer than the 30 days, mail them and they'll extend your trial, and they'll keep doing it every 30 days if you ask, as I said, nice people !

Let us know how you get on, would be useful in case someone else has a similar question.

[Liberator]

Why not check out the Newtek forums and see what people are saying about Lightwave 9.6 on a Mac? 8.5 is about 5 years old now, so the bugs and instabilities you mention may no longer be an issue. You already know the software, so there won't be much of a leaning curve and an upgrade is bound to be cheaper than buying a new 3D package.

Unless of course you just hate Lightwave, in which case I'll get my coat :lol:

[Neico]

Just a mention ... mainly on budget I guess (if comparing C4D) .... but for a general studio app, covers very hi-res stills and animations to TV/Film specs rendering, etc., I have persevered with RealSoft and it's now paying dividends for me. Might be less intuitive in modelling than preferred but that might be because so much of it is transparent and within one's control if wished.

[3DW Steve J]

I'm a long-time LW user and my only advice would be to try out version 9.6 before making any decision. On the Mac it's never been as stable.

8.5 isn't that much better than the 7.x series which was absolutely dreadful, and released during the time when Newtek bid a fond farewell to Peebler, Hastings, Ferguson et al. It took them some time to untangle what was left, but Newtek have made great strides in the last few years. It's not perfect, but they've managed to eradicate hundreds of major bugs and introduce some nice new features.

I can't argue against moving to C4D as it's a hugely capable and feature-rich application. But the cost involved of moving to an entirely new app will be way more than the $495 for upgrading to LW9.6 - and getting access to builds of LW CORE. (Oh, and I found the transition between the two quite tricky - complex point and poly modelling especially.)

Like I say, try it out - there's a 30-day trial available on Newtek.com

[3DW Steve J]

Oh, and with regards modo, it's s very nice app, and I do use it from time to time - it's good to have around for certain modelling or UVing tasks - but I just keep coming back to LW. I'm just very used to the modelling toolset and workflow I guess. Plus I don't have to make a living from it!

[Philly13]

I think it depends what you're focused on, if you're aiming to work in a studio its a shame that budget's a problem, since they more often than not use either Max or Maya. Both have great toolsets - I used Maya for several years and came to use Max recently at work. I hated Max at first but after a while of adjusting to it (and struggling) really grew to like the tools.

Again to reiterate what others have said, I've heard Modo is a very good package. Silo has also received a lot of Kudos.

[3dgirl_natalie]

Originally Posted by 3DW Steve J

Oh, and with regards modo, it's s very nice app, and I do use it from time to time - it's good to have around for certain modelling or UVing tasks - but I just keep coming back to LW. I'm just very used to the modelling toolset and workflow I guess. Plus I don't have to make a living from it!

plus it used to be on the amiga, right steve? :wink: