Autodesk - 3d Max - price ripoff

[Pyke]

Have have contacted many users and companies here in South Africa.

 

Most that I have contacted don't have a legal copy of 3d max. Some have 1 legit version in their office but are using illegal copies on all their other machines. Some guys have bought a copy but are using illegal versions for the updated versions.

Some architectural practices I have contacted, a lot have an illegal copy of Max, sketchup and vray.

 

 

 

With the redundancy of Viz and the price hike to continue on Max, I cannot see piracy improving, now that you have to buy the full expensive max version.

 

So my comment of 90% is not based on an official survey, but what I have seen.

The BSA says that South Africa has general piracy rate of 36%- So I probably am off on the 90%, but I am sure that Piracy of the expensive 3d max is higher that general software like office and windows.

 

I wonder if there could be some anonymous international poll, to see what people are using and where the higher levels of piracy are.

 

I am sure the low prices of China, India, south America, and maybe even little South Africa are affecting you guys.

And how do these guys keep there prices low? Not just low cost of living?

 

I don't mind paying $3000 or even $10000 a licence, as long as everyone has to pay it. The cost will then reflect in what we charge the client, and it will be fair for all.

So you phoned up companys, and asked them if they were using illegal software, and they said 'yes'? Forgive me, but this just seems like a broad assumption.

 

Im sure there are a few garage operations running illegal software, just as there are many students out there using pirated copies to learn-but I dont think that they are a threat.

 

Honestly, one good job will pay off a copy of MAX in SA. Sure its more expensive in comparison with international prices, but we also have the ability to undercut international companies by more than a third if we wanted to, without much effect on our bottom line. $100 000 animation in the US could probably be done quite comfortably in SA for R250 000 (about $36 000).

 

This isnt just a 'Country VS Country' thing. Some FX houses set up shop in other states in the US, because its cheaper, and thus they have the ability to undercut the LA based companies. We have lost out on work to China and India, but at the same token we have taken work away from companies in the UK and US.

 

If anything, having a higher price keeps many of the smaller guys from competing on a big scale, aswell as keeps companies having to outsource to specialists, instead of setting up inhouse departments. I think that the bigger threat to Arch Viz companies isnt the high price of software, but rather the new software coming out that is allowing architects to pump out renders straight from their selected platforms.

 

And just a reminder to the South Africans here....another petrol hike around the corner. Yikes!

 

-Chris-

[Shane Gee]

I thought I would let you know that the price of 3d max in South Africa has recently been reduced from R52710.00 per licence to R32000 per licence. Very helpful as I am setting up a practice here in SA. Big price reduction!

 

Thank you Autodesk!