What are the difference between the Autodesk products?

Question

Quite fascinated with 3D animation films so I'm thinking about a trial. Problem is, I don't know what to install between Maya, the different AutoCAD products, Invent products, etc. I want to know the MAIN Autodesk product for 3D film animation. My first guess was that it was Maya, since I saw it in some site about the top 5 2012 3D animation software, but I'm not really sure.

Can someone help me differentiate or at least give the highlights between the different programs:
1.) Maya
2.) AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit (if you're kind enough, pls tell me why they have different sorts of products)
3.) MotionBuilder
4.) Mudbox
5.) SoftImage

Thanks!

Answer 1

1) Maya is a standalone 3d modelling/animation program. It is a good all-in-one program for annimation, rendering compositing and matchmoving, however I find it rather limited and difficult to learn.



2a) AutoCAD is software for designing buildings, you won't really need this for 3d animation.

2b) Inventor is more for designing and simulating products, you probably won't need this either.

2c) Revit is for structural engineering and design, you won't need this unless you want to do architecture.



3) MotionBuilder is for animating characters. It supports matchmoving so you can have someone acting with markers on their body and you can track it onto a 3d model. This will be useful later on, but best stick with the basics if you are learning.



4) MudBox is sculpting(modelling) and texturing software, useful later on but like I said before, stick with the basics.



5) Animation/Modelling program, not standalone. You will need either maya or 3ds max to make use of this.





I recommend you try 3ds max. I use it and I learnt how to use most of it in only a few months. Here's something I did with it, some plugins and Next Limit Realflow http://postimage.org/image/6f0344fop/

Answer 2

Maya is a good program to create models and scenes to place them in movies or films.

Autocad leans more towards architectural design (house building, etc).

Motionbuilder is one of the best animation workshops around.

Mudbox is similar to Maya and 3DS Max, making modleing seem like your doing it with clay or mud (good for sculptors).

Softimage is one of the best for facial animations and things of that nature.

Revit is similar to Autocad in the sense that you can use it to create building models from blueprints and such.

Answer 3

okay 1 by 1



if youre an architect ... use AutoCAD, then build the 3d (from 2d) use : 3DSMax



3DSMax is original Descreet product (Autodesk subdivision), it can create 2d and 3d object, including coloring/paint that object, other similar is "maya" ... but its from "Alias"

* i only have 7th & 9th version, i didnt upgrade recently



3DS can animate your 2D/3D object (3DS v8 and greater) while maya needs "MotionBuilder"

the most animator use maya rather than 3DS thats why autodesk brought it

other SAME product like 3DSMax is Autodesk Viz ... the last i install is trial version, and the appearance looks like 3DSMax



im using Revit to create 3D building, its more than eazy rather than 3DS





so ... before you start ... you need :



AutoCAD for applying your house/building concept + revit

create human body with Poser (http://poser.smithmicro.com/)



use 3DSMax/Maya to import these objects (including selft created) then paint it, animate it!, and add FX (like particle FX)

* if 3DSMax, you can edit paint these object with "Autodesk Combustion" video editor without render it first.



also Maya is good choice rather than 3DSMax without plugins

Answer 4

3D Animation and Visual Effects:



Maya; $125/month

http://autodesk.com/products/autodesk-maya



3D Modeling (Game Assets) and Architectural Visualization:



3ds Max; $125/month

http://autodesk.com/products/3ds-max



Low-Cost Alternative:



Blender; $0 or $10/month

http://blender.org



As a hobbyist, freelancer, or small to medium sized studio you can use Blender as a low-cost alternative to Maya ($125/month), 3ds Max ($125/month), ZBrush ($800), and After Effects ($20/month).



Blender Cycles Reel 2015

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wDRTjzLNK0g