Editorial Space

3D Storytelling for Everyone

From 3D Artist issue #33, page 6, by Bill Allen, 3DA Editor/Publisher

The range of choices for 3D storytelling has never been greater in terms of capability, price, and ease/difficulty of entry.
___ Once middle-ground programs, LightWave 3D and 3D Studio (and great third-party resources), are steadily encroaching on high-end software such as Softimage and Maya. For people who need Hollywood-quality 3D work, the options are cheaper and better than ever. But the user constituencies find themselves having to buy ever more add-ons, training aids, and better hardware, and spending more time learning new native and add-on features.
___ Several players are positioned to fill the needs of the larger middle market long dominated by Autodesk and NewTek. Among others, there is important new software from Hash, Caligari, and Strata, and even MetaCreations Poser 3 looks to be a contender.
___ The best news about today's new middle ground is that prices are low, often well under $1,000, and products are easier to learn and use. If you are like a Hemingway, more concerned with getting your stories out than about having the hottest typewriter, this is a terrific time to be involved in 3D graphics!

Revised: 10 Aug 98 rev 1
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