I'm about to purchase 3D Max Design 2009...should I do it?

[3DIFX]

I am very close to purchasing the new 3D Max Design 2009. I am Viz user planning to make order this coming Monday. I've always wanted to upgrade to 3D Max and then this program comes along...not to mention that they are nixing Viz (a little extra push, I guess). I will be using with Revit sometime in the future. I've read a few discussion and am trying to do some research before I spend the money. Planning to download and try the demo. What's the bottom line when it comes to performance? I'm nervous about buying it and then wishing I had purchased 3D Max 2009 instead 'cause the prices aren't that far off. Does it work well with Vray? Is anyone out there using it yet? I would really appreciate some input here. Thanks in advance.

 

Valarie

[aaron-cds]

It definately is going to work well with vray. I made the move from viz 2006 to max 09 when max came out with a 64 bit version. If you want to stay with vray / revit / autodesk, upgrading to max 2009 is the only way to go. I haven't installed 2009 yet. I'm waiting on Onyx to come out with an updated plugin for 2009.

[AJLynn]

Please do read the literature. The only differences between regular and design are that design has some render feature I haven't tried yet, and regular has the SDK. If you're a computer programmer you might want regular. Otherwise you certainly want design, especially at these prices.

[ABK]

I'd be interested to know what anyone knows about the differences too.

I work as a visualiser for a retail designer and Max 2009 design seems like the option to go for but it doesn't seem clear what we will miss out on.

[AJLynn]

It is perfectly clear and simple, having been stated many times in many places and consisting of only two details. It is so simple that my 4-line response above covers it.

 

-Regular: you get the SDK.

-Design: you get an added render feature.

-You will know more about what these are if you read the product literature.

 

Are you guys even looking at the web site?

[Tim Saunders]

I sense Andrew was breathing heavily and typing very hard when making that last post;)

 

I think I'm going to read the literature.

[Tim Saunders]

Okay Andrew,

 

Here's what they say:

 

".NET Support in the SDK

Support for .NET in 3ds Max allows you to use Microsoft’s efficient, high-level user interface APIs to extend the software. The 3ds Max SDK ships with sample .NET code and documentation showing developers how they can take advantage of this powerful set of development tools."

 

There's more in the Detailed Features list too.

 

What does that mean?

 

I'm guessing this is stuff for programmers right? Not the common user like me who uses Max as is, and maybe installs V-ray and a couple other simple plug-ins?

 

I have several architects in my office who want real lighting analysis work done without using the crappy software our lighting consultants usually have. It apears Max Design can do this--with "Expose". Does it calculate light bouncing from the different materials including reflective mats?

 

Does it handle memory issues as well as "non-design" Max?

[ABK]

I'd come here as a first oint of call... three minutes after my post i'd found the difference explicitly stated about 227,249,873 times.

 

I think I get Andrew's frustration!

[AJLynn]

Sorry, shouldn't be snapping at people, it's just one of those answered-this-already-too-many-times things.

[RobNJ73]

Tim,

 

It looks as though the SDK (software developers' kit) is really just for the code monkeys among us. Sound like you're like me... an out-of-the-box user who maybe uses marcos and a few scripts, but isn't really after the development end.

 

As such, I'd stick with the design version, as I'd have no use for the SDK. But as far as the specifics of Exposure and the lot, I haven't found a lot of documentation on it. I think I'll do my usual with upgrades... wait until the first SP to buy it so I have a better idea going in if I need it. Gives the plugin makers time to catch up, too.