Alias AutoStudio or 3DsMax? I was wondering which was better...I noticed Honda, Ford, GM use Alias, so I'm leaning towards Alias, but if anyone has any input onto which software to purchase I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Hi Viper

I have used both in anger, both are good in the own way. Alias is in my opinion more powerful and better for looking at surfaces and its used by the Big Manufacturers. A good knowledge of Alias will help get automotive jobs far more so than 3dsmax. Max is known well in the computer game industry, and has a nice render engine.

Max is cheaper than Alias but you can download student versions and Alias versions of Alias which might be cheaper or free - others may know the answer to that one.

I would personally go straight into using Alias - but at the end of the day its up to you.

BTW - these software vs software, or which is best often start major heated discussions - which is a shame.

I hope this helps a little

Rhino 3D
This software is cheap ($800 when I got it) and is GREAT for "surface modeling" (NURBS). I recommend it for those starting in 3D modeling. It has a very fast, efficient workflow that is dedicated to surface modeling, which is why I like this software so much. In my opinion, I hope they stay focused.

Auto Studio:
It's an industry standard software, but I have no experience with it. I doubt you could go wrong using this software.

3DS Max:
It's surface modeling workflow isn't very efficient compared to Rhino 3D. Sure you can create car models in it (and I've done it numerous times) & even do NURBS, it's not really designed for surface modeling.

I would personally recommend taking classes in 3D modeling first, to get a taste for it & get you started in the right direction. 3D is not something anyone can just pick up & I’d caution against making a large purchase before you actually try 3D modeling (you can also get evaluation versions).

Best Wishes,
Jonathan Griffin

Hi everybody,

Does anyone know Catia?

This is the most famous program used by engineers (like Solidworks, AutoCad or Pro-E). But in previous releases it had also surfacing modeling tools (very efficients). Currently Catia is being make better for product designer whith a new module which is named "Imagine and Shape".

I am in a small group in the studio at FORD,we use Catia V5 (ACA)module to surface the clay model's,we also have Alias and Icem surf users

ICEM is developing Class-A tools for CATIA V5 (because they tried it themselves but failed)

I'm working with 3ds max and I learned about it mostly from the internet tutorials.You have a lots of it particularly about car modeling.Here are some of my works and renderings check it out.But everywhere the employers need the Alias modelers . http://www.cardesignnews.com/portfolios/cdn_pf_page.php...geTotal=2&imageNum=1

also you have tutorials with 3ds max from beginer stage to intermediate.It is good to start,but for the realistic renderings there are
menthal ray implemented with software and you have Brasil r/s plugin renderer for realistic renderings.If you need more informations about 3ds max please e-mail me: koleos@neobee.net

What you want to do – design or animation –I have work in Max (1996-1997)– I abounded it, I try Rhino – it is a toy for me – I use ProE (First class like Catia) – But for you I suggest Alias Studio Tools or some combination.

There are too many reasons for Alias, and we can speak about them if someone wants. Max is created for 3d animation and ordinary modelling. It is not in class like Alias Studio Tools – It can be side by side with Maya, but even there Max is not so good.
Using Alias will lead you into real stuff. Learning Rhino, before choosing something better is out of the question. Losing time. You can learn how to work in Rhino, and than will be difficult to again start leering something. Shoot in the centre.
Using ProE, or even Catia will lead you in other waters regarding design. Both packages are really top in design but totally different strategy of work is needed to learn for both but Alias is a tool with which can be easy and fun to work. ProE and Catia are preferred engineering packages. I use ProE – for all my design – I use Maya for visualization purposes. There is lot of thing which is good in combination of Alias and ProE, because they start something like a partnership which enables Maya or Studio Tools to load native files from ProE which is important in case or loosing data trough other formats. Using ProE and Studio Tools you can work in both packages loosing only soma limited information’s. Model stay solid, which is very important. Speaking about power of ProE in styling is out of the questions also. New Style in ProE (Ptc if I remember buy Icem) allows ProE users so much that I stop using Alias Studio Tools because I have everything in ProE. Maya is for Animation, Studio for design and development of ideas (once it has even CNC module) and ProE is for Engineering. Studio Tools is older brother of Maya. I want to say that for much of its power Maya must thanks Studio, which than means that Studio has very great rendering capabilities. Combination of ProE and Studio will be fantastic in your case. You can work on design in both packages – ProE can by used also for engineering, and Studio for visualization. That is one closed workflow from thinking it out, trough design, advertising to manufacturing.

I would go with Alias. I had a chance to work with 3dsMax and I loved the software. However, even though Maya is a bit more complicated than Max, Maya is growing with popularity among professionals while 3dsMax is declining.

If you learn Maya, there won't be another package that you will have hard time learning. As far as I know Maya is perhaps one of the hardest softwares to learn.

I use rhino and 3d max.