Guild of Writers

I don't know what all the fuse is about when it comes to professional standard programs like 3ds Max and Cinema 4d and such. I have never found anything that I couldn't do in Blender that I could only do in one of the $3000 professional programs.

More than that, I believe in what Blender and other open source programs stand for. Most everything in our world today is judged by how much money it produces. In my opinion open source is one of the first steps in human evolution toward a civilization free of economics; a world where the person matters not the dollar. Think about it. It's the same principal of buying products produced in your own country over ones produced abroad except this product is one produced of the human spirit by people that want nothing more than to fill a need. When you buy something you support the people that made it, and when you use open source programs you support the people that made them.

The people that bad mouth free open source programs are usually the people that have been sold the idea that the dollar is the only means of measuring worth.

I'm not directing this at anyone. I just feel strongly about this subject and and the fine ppl here at the Guild of Writers Forum have provided me with a soap box.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I am developing in Blender. I am not wasting my money on high-end software just so I can develop Ages for MOULa.

Agreed. I've never found a satisfactory answer to why people put more 'prestige' on high dollar software vs. something equally as good for free. I don't really see this here from what I've read. Those that are using other software to build in URU are doing it for practical reasons to fit their particular circumstances. But in the 'real world'? The only conclusion I can reach is the power of marketing.

It's scary what they convince people of. My convenient example is Apple and the IPad. It's the phone. Only bigger. And without the phone. Or the camera. So they raised the price. It worked.

As far as people vs. economics, that's a personal choice and sometimes it can be a very difficult one. Of course people should come first. But if you don't personally know the people you're taking money from and there are bills to pay and kids to care for, this area can get very gray very fast.

I would love to have 3DS and (try to) build stuff with it. But the reality is I can't afford it and if I could, would my use of it jusify the expense? Probably not (unless I win the lottery or something). However, I am totally taken with Blender. I have seen some of the cartoons made with it and been totally blown away with what this tiny little OS prog can do. Its a right pain to use, but I'll stick with it.

I don´t know 3DS, but I do know Blender, and I like it. I´ll definitely am developing and will develop my ages with it.
At first, the user interface was a big obstacle for me, but now I got used to it, and it works for me!

And I support the "open source" philosophy, although it has it´s pros and cons.

One of the reasons why some people use 3dsmax is because they get lessons in it at school, like I'm the only student in my design class who even asked whether I could use blender, the others tend to be total noobs at it, and as Max is the software taught they use that (or Maya if they have a mac). According to my teacher they did once look at Blender but could make neither heads or tails from it.

But I like Blender, which is why I use it while max is free for me too(student licence). Yet not all free software is as good. And there are things the real programs do better (although the beta version is pretty good actually, just finding time to learn how to use all the cool stuff is hard)

I hope no one thinks I was thinking of them when I posted this, because I wasn't. I personally have 3ds Max 2011, Cinema 4D, Photoshop CS5 and tons of other software titles that cost WAY more than I could ever afford to pay for them. (I'll leave it up to you to decode that) I totally understand the use of main stream software, but I also know that this community and communities like it are filled with ppl that are the real shapers of the future. People that think and reason. If we were all about what was popular and mainstream we certainly wouldn't be trying to keep alive a 20 year old game.

I just say what's on my mind anytime its there. Not always appropriate, but it keeps me sane... ish Age building is a daunting task and if you can accomplish it better in Max, than by all means. Glad I haven't gotten any hate mail or death threats yet :

Luna wrote: Yet not all free software is as good. And there are things the real programs do better (although the beta version is pretty good actually, just finding time to learn how to use all the cool stuff is hard)

Free software is as good as the hearts and minds of the ppl that use it.

Whoa. That was a good one.

Luna wrote:According to my teacher they did once look at Blender but could make neither heads or tails from it.

But I like Blender, which is why I use it while max is free for me too(student licence). Yet not all free software is as good. And there are things the real programs do better (although the beta version is pretty good actually, just finding time to learn how to use all the cool stuff is hard)

Luna, notice how you call commercial software "real programs" vs. OS. I'm not in any way aiming this at you, because you obviously aren't the target. But I do believe our thinking can become biased by slick marketing campaigns. How slick? You stated that your university teacher admitted they couldn't make heads or tails of Blender. Now, this statement possibly reveals (1) your teachers are seriously lacking in software skills; (2) all those of us in this group are prodigal geniuses since we're all learning it (my personal choice ); or (3) something is going on behind the scenes causing the teaching staff at your university to promote commercial software over OS.

I tend to think it's probably #3, consisting of free software donations, text books, and plenty of support. If they get the graduates comfortable with their software, they build their future market shares. #2 is also correct, but it is impolite to discuss this in public.

Well honestly if you are not used to Blender the 2.49 interface is absolutely baffling . And I do believe them when they say they tried. But they have also gotten lessons in Max cause Blender simply didn't exist. I don't think evil software companies are influencing my schooling that much >.>