3dsMax or Maya?

good question, I've got both and learning to work with both of them. To see which fits me better.

I find it more a neccesity to learn to model if I wish to map for modern engine's or be stuck with using the same meshes/props everyone else uses. Rather than just curiosity.

I've tried both and I think you will be satisfied with either. I find max has a more agreeable interface for jumping in modelling stuff, but it also handles like an application that needs a complete interface re-write. I've lost count of the number of times I've inadvertently hit an obscure hotkey or accidentally clicked a menu option and then had to spend hours trying to figure out what I've done and how to undo it.

Maya is a little more clunky, but many of its features like pivots & snapping are more logical / easier to use and it doesn't have max's infuriating "what the fuck did I press?" problems. Regardless of this, I don't particularly like Maya's UI. The hotbox is an RSI inducer and while it can be more logical, you sometimes have to go through multiple menus to access something you use a lot. With max, most of the modelling functionality is right there on one menu.

There's a load of other stuff too, but it probably won't interest you unless you're doing stuff other than game art. E.g. Maya has a significantly better material system and the MEL scripting stuff is apparently excellent.

Both programs have their strengths and weaknesses. I probably stuck with max primarily because I tried it before Maya. Last time I looked, Maya was catching up with Max in terms of games industry usage, but you will find either application to be more than satisfactory IMO.

I'm sure someone who has delved into it more (i.e. used both packages professionally / extensively) will have a more concrete answer for you. This is just the opinion of an amateur pleb

Animators seem to prefer Maya, while modellers like 3dsmax better.

I'm a modeller and IMO 3dsmax has slightly better modelling tools. (i.e. you can cut complex shapes into a mesh with a few clicks)

Also the unwrapping tools are much more comfortable (despite some annoying bugs).

The Render-to-Texture feature is unbeaten by any other program.

3dsmax is a bitch, when it comes to navigating in 3D-space and the interface. You better get a second monitor.

Maya uses mouse-gestures for accessing tools, which CAN enable you to work much faster than with keyboard-shortcuts. Also the viewport-navigation is more smooth and intuitive.

Maya often causes massive pain in the ass, when exporting to other programs or engines, from what I know. And the material-system can be intimidating at first.

It won't hurt to know both though.

my 2 cents

maya and max are kinda like macs and pcs you will either have the tool that works better or you will be compatible with the world

choose now

They are the same thing really. I have been working intensively with 3dsmax for about 5 years now. I worked with Maya back when it was Maya 4 and I am now taking an intensive course in Maya. I can say that everything I could do in Max I can do in Maya, and vice versa.

I find what it comes down to is that Maya is best for group/studio projects and Max is better for the individual.

But of course specialty comes into play because of the slight differences, so here is my quick run down:

Modeling: Max

Animating: Maya

Arch/Design Viz: Max by far

Animation/Character Rendering: Maya

Softbody/dynamics: Maya

Level Design/Other game stuff: Max

particles: Max

Fluids/effects: Maya

But again either one can do everything

Go XSI - stable, easy and you do everything by hand. I can't cope with either Max or Maya while 30 Minutes of XSI Vid-Tut told me most of what I have to know now for game modelling (just props of course, no player modelling)

I really prefer Maya for modelling/uv mapping/shaders etc etc.

Max has nice shaders but there not really node based. Maya FTWz !!1

Ohyeah rendering is nicer in max imo

Quote from e-freak

Go XSI - stable, easy and you do everything by hand. I can't cope with either Max or Maya while 30 Minutes of XSI Vid-Tut told me most of what I have to know now for game modelling (just props of course, no player modelling)

For me, using XSI is like thinking. The tools and controls feel very natural and smooth. You want to move the camera? Move your mouse. You want to add a polygon? Click twice. It's all very intuitive., very organized, and very steamlined With 3DsMax I have to fight it to do even simple things like, I dunno, deselecting. It's like the difference between a PC and a Mac. You either do what you want to do, or you do what IT wants you to do.

I haven't used Maya in a very very very long time and it was only briefly so can't comment there.

my opinion

+1 for XSI.

Everything is just...there. Easy to model, easy to animate, easy to render and has a built in compositor.

Quote from Warby

maya and max are kinda like macs and pcs you will either have the tool that works better or you will be compatible with the world choose now

that's so false man.

every proper engine (and even some that are shit) have exporters for both tools.

Max has more effective polygon modeling tools. Maya has nicer world-space navigation and more fluid controls and and movement.

Maya's unwrapping is also very nice, quick effective and isn't as modifier dependant as Max.

Try both. They're pretty much the same shit with different buttons.

so I have to try XSI now too? I've seen their website seems like easy to work with.

Maya all the way. I don't have the brain power to type out the reasons at the moment

I vote 3DS Max or Modo =)

3dsm here as well. much easier learning curve than maya anyhow

I think you can find two, or maybe three of the exact same topic with ~6+ pages in both.

Search is right next to FAQ and Memberlist.

I don't do much modeling and i can't boast about having any skills in it either, but when i have played around some with it i found maya to be the tool that worked best for me. I have never been able to export a model to source tough, i've tried everyting! So if you are going to do source models don't go maya

I did try 3ds max in the past but i could never relly get my head around it.

I have been playing some with XSI to, not much but i like it so far. And it seams to be a very good tool for poly modeling.

I use Maya, but I'm certain I could just as easily do everything I need to do in Max if I needed to. Learn both, then pick the one you are most comfortable with.

I prefer using Maya, that being said I've spent most of my modeling time in it. Also I was shown allot of tricks while working at a game studio, kind of helpful having some great artists there to help

Maya for me is more logical and I love the interface, it reminds me somewhat of UED or Hammer where as 3dm is a jumble of complicated icons and deep menues I get lost in.

Now they are both owned by the same company I can't see either Maya or Max losing popularity, they both do the same job in slightly different ways. For the record I think maya's official demoreel kicks max's ass

What's up with the gravedigging?