Difference between Maya and 3ds Max....

[Pelu]

sup all I was wondering what is the main diference between Maya and 3ds max... they look the same to me from the descriptions and such... not sure what makes them different at all.... So far I had never used Maya.... only 3dsmax...

 

[boorns]

They're now owned by the same company, so there isn't a big difference as opposed to before (rival companies).

I think Maya is the one most people use in the industry (gaming, film, etc). XSI is the main app in the game industry, but Maya is the general one that people learn about and can be used widely.

It comes down to preference. In the end, programs are only a tool and the artist behind should be able to create on anything.

 

[Czar]

Maya interface is not so good, but customizable to no end, thats why alot of big companies use it.

3DSMax is more of a good package but doesnt extend as far as Maya, thats why alot of smaller companies use it.

and what Boorns said, its just a tool

 

[Pelu]

I have been using 3ds max lately the version 12 and omg is awesome... with the exeption of that stupid rendering problem...

Going to see if I can get the maya... later on of course

 

[gorobei]

maya is used in film/tv/games because it has the most accessable code for customizing. the interface is 100 times better than 3dsmax if you can script. the marking menus beat all other packages hands down as far as operations per second go. the main downside for most people is that 80% of the switches/controls/tools you need to use aren't readily seen in the main menu bar. 3dsmax on the other hand sticks everything and the kitchen sink on their attribute editor box, which leads to ridiculous amounts of scrolling.

max is the game developer default, mainly because the file/model format gives easy access to all the info(model/smoothing groups,textures,shaders) that game engines are typically coded to look for. that and the default character rigs have prepackaged/scripted biped,quadruped,etc. it was there at the beginning and most of the workforce is comfortable with it. maya and xsi are used by some developers, but most of the postings on creative heads is for max. valve is the main user of xsi.

 

[Modelworks]

Asking that question has started more flame wars on forums .........

The truth is there really is nothing that can be done in one that cannot be done in the other. It is just the steps involved to get the same result. I use 4 different applications, Max, Maya, XSI, Houdini . They all have their strong points and some things in one application are easier to do than others. Houdini is great for particles, really nothing compares, but terrible at modeling. Max has better modeling tools but Maya is better at dynamics like cloth. XSI is strong in visual effects and with the release of ICE it can produce some great effects.

OS is another factor. Max is windows only. Maya is windows, linux, Mac. Xsi is windows and linux. For me I am looking at moving entirely to XSI. I was not happy with the last release of Max. It has become severely bloated as an application and the workflow is starting to get hampered by that. Maya and Max really need a rewrite . They both are based on software that has simply been added onto each version to the point there is so much code there that its becoming inefficient. But they want to keep old and new users happy.

XSI did a total rewrite about 3 years ago and it has made all the difference. They have the trial version released for any interested. Trial link is on the side. Try it out and see if you don't think the interface and usability is much more in tune with modern pc.
http://www.softimage.com/products/xsi/

After downloading and installing go to file open scenes / ice, open the examples like simple fire and press the play button at the bottom. That is fire rendered in real time.