Recommended - Max or Max Design?

[Professor]

Hi,

 

I'm new to the 3D Vis world and just joined the CG Architect website and forum. Hoping to get connected with the community, learn some new things, and meet some people in the industry. I'm just starting to learn Max and am sure I will have lots of questions as I delve deeper into it.

 

I do have a quick general question. What is the general consensus of Architectural CG artists as far as using Max versus Max Design? I know Autodesk tries to push the Design platform for that industry and Max more for the entertainment industry, but what is the preference of "users" in the industry?

 

Thanks for any input.

 

Scott Smith

[Jeff Mottle]

Most people I know are on Design. I'm sure this question will open a can of worms again though.

[Professor]

Thanks Jeff. Sorry for the can of worms. After I posted I saw the similar threads and read a few comments, so I get the can of worms worry. I'm using a trial version of Design right now, but wanted to get other users input before I purchased the full-blown version.

 

I see that we are practically neighbors. I'm just south of the border. I've been to Alberta a few times. Beautiful area! If your ever down in Montana, be sure to let me know.

 

Thanks for starting this great site. I'm looking forward to exploring all it offers and meeting some other 3D people, since I'm kind of isolated in this part of the country.

 

Scott

[rmccoy]

It really just depends on what major feature you prefer to have. With regular Max you get the SDK. With Design you getting the Exposure lighting analysis feature.

 

If you plan on writing your own plug-ins and such I would say go with the regular Version. If you are doing architecture then Design is a good way to go

 

look at the "Which version is right for me?" section

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=13567410&siteID=123112

[BrianKitts]

We switched all but one of our max licenses over to design and kept one standard max for testing purposes since the split is so recent. I've been working in Design since 2010's release and I'm yet to find a reason/need to open the other version.

Edited August 11, 2009 by BrianKitts

[Nic H]

Hmm we went the opposite direction and got standard max. We decided design was a bit bloated with architectural tools that we would never really use such as lighting analysis.

 

However these may be useful if you work in conjunction with architects often.

 

Essentially they are the same thing really, but Id just be wary of in a couple years time of autodesk splitting the products. Didnt see the need for the design split anyway, it was a money grab when they tools could of co-existed in one program. (imo etc)

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

If you are asking, then you probably will never use the SDK, so I would stick with design.

 

Nic brings up an interesting point on software bloat. I am guessing that you could disable most of the extra tools in design to keep it as streamlined as the SDK version, but I don't know this for a fact.