Viz 4 or Max 6? or which will be worth the $ in the long run?

[Dan J]

Hello,

I know this topic may have been discussed before, I'm out on my own and I need to purchase Max of Viz to keep the work going and the clients happy. I'm a long time user of both versions and each as it's +/-'s.

I think what I really want to know is, which does everyone think will be around the longest and what is everyone else using?

I'm also wondering if anyone remembers the price Autodesk gave users to upgrade to Max from Viz the last time the gave the offer was available. Rumor has it they are gearing up the offer again.

I know most of you think I could asnwer this for myself but, any info would be great.

Thanks.

Dan

[C.Vestal]

from my reseller:

 

For the transfer of VIZ to Max 6, there is currently a promotion for $1,295.00 effective through January 15, 2004. Otherwise it would be $1,495.00.

 

IMHO, Not that much of a deal to me. :???:

[Dan J]

That could save you a extra $100, but if you paid for a subscription I guess you would have lost some $.

The incentive for purchasing Viz would be the lower cost, for max would be the financing that's available. With Viz I could spend the extra $$ on useful plugins and such, but I'm not sure if the savings up front is worth it.

Any opinion or info on Viz's long term out look from your dealer?

[Brian Cassil]

IMHO the only advantage to viz is it costs less. Having said that though, the only REAL advantage to Max (as far as architectural visualization goes) is if you do much animating. So I guess the answer lies there, if you see yourself doing a lot of animations, then get max. If not, you may want to save the money and buy viz.

[William Alexander]

The real advantage from going viz to -max6- is two fold.

 

#1

If you are looking for a better rendering engine than the default scanline one.

Free vray works but sooner or later you will buy the unlocked version. The engines I tested worked with viz, but genrally required a total lighting rework from one modeled for the scanline renderer and radiosity.

So you want better rendering you have to buy a new plugin, $700-$1500. That justifies viz to max6 upgrade real quick. Plus mental ray is closely matched with the lighting used in the radiosity of viz4 and max6. However there is a learning curve with mental ray that seems to be steeper than most. But well worth the time imho.

 

#2

Max's advanced features over Viz. Bake on materials, uvw unwrapping, rendering-MR & light tracer, Architectural materials similar to lightscape materials, Camera correction-perspective, channel info, light lister, improved animation stuff over max5 & way over viz4, Autocad 2004 and viz render support. However open linking like in viz escapes me if possible. Along with all of the viz4 aec components like layers. Full animation capabilities, cloth modifiers and the particle systems with wind & gravity effects.

 

Add it up for $700 for a good rendering engine, $600 for advanced and really CG Archy useful tools, you have a great value and bang for the buck. Having purchased the upgrade, it is well worth the money.

 

Max will always be the ultimate discreet product, Viz may at some time be integrated & disolved into a revit or Adt. If a product line had to go for whatever reason, I think it would be viz, if max continues support for the aec and CG Archy tools. imho.

 

If you would like a good contact with a discreet reseller for some independant if not interesting conversation about the products, I can drop you an e-mail. -low key, lots of information and awsome support-

 

 

rgrds

WDA

[Tim Nelson]

Isn't VIZ 5 on its way now? I'm going to hold out for that and see how close it is to Max 6. If most of the differences are animation, I would love to stick with viz. Plus Max doesn't even have file linking yet, which i need since I model in autocad.

[Dan J]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I think viz might be the way to go for now or until I can get a few more clients to build up the budget some more.

 

Thanks again.