PhotoWorks Alternative?

Is everyone here using a PhotoWorks produce renderings?

If not what are you using?

I looked into the new Alias ImageStudio, but was talked out of that
option by the dealer. Instead, he sugessted a stripped down version of
Maya.

Hmmmm....

 

I've been using Lightwave 3D since version 5, and think it produces
beautiful renders. It's much more than just a renderer however.

Not sure of the cost of Maya or anything else, LW[8] is about
$1500.00.

www.lightwave3d.com

www.newtek.com

MT

 

I use PW2 all the time. Is there something you're not getting out of
PW2 that's causing your trek toward other software? Curious.


Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC
http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com
(Remove "GETRIDOFTHIS" from email address)

 

www.okino.com offers rendering software that is full compatible with
SolidWorks models. I believe it runs around $1000. I'm not sure of it's
rendering quality but the website images are good.

 

if you feel a bit adventurous you can try using open source (free) Blender.
www.blender3d.org this requires you to export as VRML files. see these
examples I picked of technical type renders done using blender to give you a
feel for its ability.
http://www.elysiun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25054
http://www.elysiun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23172&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45

 

I use PolyTrans from Okino (conversion software without the renderer)
to convert SolidWorks models to *.OBJ files, and then bring them into
Lightwave 3D. All texturing is done in Lightwave.

If you buy the SolidWorks add-in, PolyTrans will "grab" the open part
in SW and automatically bring it into PT. You can then save it in
many, many different poly mesh outputs.

Never used the NuGraf renderer, though it looks very nice. Like I said
before, Lightwave is more than just a "renderer"... It's a full on
animation package. Fundamentally, there is NOTHING you cannot do once
in Lightwave. Really need to look their website and study the images
and animations to get a full appreciation for it's power. It's
amazingly simple to use (with the prerequisite reading of doc's and
the many books available). Using Lightwave is a religion for some, it
can become very addictive.

If I had my way, I would spend all my work time in SW and LW
exclusively.

Mike T.

 

Hiya
Depends on what you want to do - I use Maya Complete (the "stipped down"
Maya? - £1500), but it is a PIA to get even simple good looking renders out
of - totally different workflow to Solidworks, but the additional
possibilities are endless - Maya is more of an environment for producing
completed video/film sequences - 99% of which you won't need for static
pictures or simple animations of single objects. From what I've seen, 3D
Studio Max or Viz are better for industrial design - faster to getting good
looking results from the box and more intuative for the standard Windows
user. Solidworks is light years ahead of Maya for ease of interaction and
"no brainer" solutions for user interaction.I've also heard very good things
about lightwave, but haven't used it since Windows 3.11, so have no relevant
comments!
One thing with Maya is that is can use the Mental Ray render engine -the
same as used in Photoworks, but without the eons of time and hassle
required. Results from this can be cracking (see www.bxhdesigns.com for
examples from Photoworks). Version 6 of Maya apparently supports STL files,
which gives a smooth flow from Solidworks to rendering.
However, unless you are looking to integrate your models in animations or
sales flics, I'd look elsewhere than Maya:
3D Studio MAX (www.discreet.com)
3D Studio VIZ (www.discreet.com)
Lightwave (www.newtek.com)
Cinema 4D (www.cinema4d.co.uk)

Also look at the Flamingo renderer for Rhino - combined with the forthcoming
Bongo animation system, it provides a pretty simple route to getting pretty
good results.
Hope it helps
Deri