Alternative

[Wingnut]

I'm just a beginner hobyist with hex and I'm uncertain about its future. My question is, would Amapi be a viable alternative. I'm not really interested in animation , I only want a good modler at a reasonable price, like I thought Hex was going to be. Any information on the topic would be greatly appreciated.

[laughingnome]

Originally Posted by Wingnut

I'm just a beginner hobyist with hex and I'm uncertain about its future. My question is, would Amapi be a viable alternative. I'm not really interested in animation , I only want a good modler at a reasonable price, like I thought Hex was going to be. Any information on the topic would be greatly appreciated.

hexagon is a good modeler, dont be swayed by those who criticise it all the time, most of those guys dont actually produce any models regardless of which app they use, they just complain endlessly about how crap it is , if you want to try Amapi try the free 6 version first from here.

heres a link to a model created by a good friend of mine using Amapi 6

http://forums.polyloop.net/3d-work-p...ult-rifle.html

GPS never complained at how crap the software was he just got on with modeling and he continous to make stunning stuff using this old piece of crap
go figure

those who can Do, those who cant Complain

stu

[medeamajic]

wingnut,

I doubt laughingnome answered your questions. Infact it might be more false information or a rant than anything else. Like yourself a lot of people like Hexagon but wonder if it will develope as fast as it would under Eovia. I am not sure if Hexagon will develope as fast as Amapi or if it will get a render engine. Do you want to render the images or just model them? Hexagon is a good program but I think you would need to try the demo of Amapi and Hexagon and then compare the two for yourself. To be concerned about the future of Hexagon is OK. I guess if it works for your needs now then you could buy it. If Amapi has features that Hexagon lacks then you may be better of getting Amapi since Hexagon may not get the features you like in Amapi but that would hold true for any software title. Buy what works best for your needs today. There are some simularities between the GUI of Amapi and Hexagon. I hope this helps.

[laughingnome]

actually it wasnt a rant medeamajic

the price for Amapi 7 or 8 is steep for a hobbyist user, thats to be expected as these apps are designed for pro users, version 6 is free here though and is a good starter for a hobbyist, so is wing3d or blender.
as to the future of hexagon , who knows? not me thats for sure
maybe Daz will develop it maybe they wont, i dont waste any time thinking about it to be honest . at the moment its still a good app even with its flaws, and that isnt going to change

stu

[bwtr]

Keep a close eye on Silo2. It's close to being about the best, easy to use/understand programmes as an alternative --and it's cheap if you buy the excellent 1.4 version now.

Buying 1.4 gives access to the version2 beta--currently 7a!

[transient]

There's also gsculpt.

Not too many know about this app, but it's a very nice wip and it's free, so there's no reason not to have a look. Has a great retopo tool as well.

[laughingnome]

Originally Posted by bwtr

Keep a close eye on Silo2. It's close to being about the best, easy to use/understand programmes as an alternative --and it's cheap if you buy the excellent 1.4 version now.

Buying 1.4 gives access to the version2 beta--currently 7a!

good point Brian , also if you use Hexagon the toolset and GUI of Silo arnt to much of wrench

stu

[laughingnome]

Originally Posted by transient

There's also gsculpt.

Not too many know about this app, but it's a very nice wip and it's free, so there's no reason not to have a look. Has a great retopo tool as well.

looks cool Transient thanks for the link.

stu

[Wingnut]

Thanks for the info guy's. I'm still not sure what way to go. With Amapi 6.1, I can get an upgrade to 7.5 for $249.00. This is a very impressive program and it probably has a great future. Amapi combines my CAD software and Hex into one program, this is enticing to say the least. On the other hand Silo is just $109.00. and it would replace Hex and I'de keep using my CAD for Nurbs. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

[Couerl]

If you're new to modeling still my suggestion is to stick with Hex and develop your skills. Forget the software label, silo, amapi, modo or whatever... If you're new it won't matter and it can take a couple of years to get good enough to the point where it will matter more.

Med, you're much more prone to ranting than Stu is so shush. If you like the way Hex was developed then Amapi and its future should be enticing to say the least. That development team will only get stronger and more experienced as time goes by and Amapi will mature and gain momentum. I think Hex still has a future too and it will take the new dev some time to get himself straightened out, but that's okay. He has a great opportunity to work on an app that has more raw potential than anything else in its league and he could be a great contributer to it given the time.

[Sketchy]

First off, I'm not recommending any app here.

I'd just like to state, in my opinion, that there is indeed wisdom in buying now than later. It happened to me a lot where I regreted not grabbing deals such as "buy <current version> now and get the next release for free". For instance, if you bought Rhino then you could have bought 2 products for the price of one (Rhino 3 and 4). Now that deal is gone. You lost Rhino 3 (which you could have probably sold for a hefty sum.) Same thing happened to me when I ignored Eovia's offer of buying Carrara 4 now and get C5 for free. I lost C4. Silo have been giving a similar offer. You will lose Silo 1.4 if you buy after Silo 2 is released. If you are into sculpting, it makes sense buying Zbrush now giving you 2 products with the price of one. (Right now, I'm thinking of getting Zbrush now than later.)

BTW, Wingnut, you missed e-frontier's previous offer of $149.99 for Amapi Pro 7.5. People who grabbed the offer also got Shade 8 in the process, which is also a pro app if you take the time to learn it. In addition, you'd expect reasonable upgrade offers for their next releases.

[Couerl]

Originally Posted by Sketchy

BTW, Wingnut, you missed e-frontier's previous offer of $149.99 for Amapi Pro 7.5. People who grabbed the offer also got Shade 8 in the process, which is also a pro app if you take the time to learn it. In addition, you'd expect reasonable upgrade offers for their next releases.

ya, I posted this on a couple places and a few people jumped on it I think. Good points, I regret not getting some stuff earlier too and now I see I'm in need of alternative solutions... Maybe E-Frontier will do another special before Amapi-8 comes out. That would be nice of them and help build that userbase.

Daz is very smart to do these one day sales and its very good business I think.

[Wingnut]

Wow, $149.99. I would buy that in a heartbeat. When did this happen?

[jbshorty]

Originally Posted by Sketchy

...if you bought Rhino then you could have bought 2 products for the price of one (Rhino 3 and 4). Now that deal is gone. You lost Rhino 3 (which you could have probably sold for a hefty sum.)...

not true. that is a violation of the user agreements of most software (you know that thing you agreed to when you installed the program, but never actually bothered to read). It is a legally binding contract. If a company found out that you've done this (which will happen as soon as the guy you sold it to tries to upgrade the same serial # as yours) then you would both be liable for breaking copyright laws that you agreed to. So i wouldn't try that apporach of being your own software reseller...

shorty

[laughingnome]

hi shorty ,actually it is true if you buy silo now you get silo 2 as a free uprade when its ready , i think thats what sketchy is referring to regarding Rhino3.
if you bought Rhino 3 at a certain time when the offer was availible you got an automatic upgrade to version 4 when it became availible.
that doesnt violate any copyright laws or user agreements.

stu

[Couerl]

I think what Shorty is talking about is using Rhino 3 to upgrade to 4 and then selling your copy of Rhino 3. This is naughty and will invalidate your "upgrade" so that you need to buy a full license. This is par for the course with any software..

[laughingnome]

Originally Posted by Couerl

I think what Shorty is talking about is using Rhino 3 to upgrade to 4 and then selling your copy of Rhino 3. This is naughty and will invalidate your "upgrade" so that you need to buy a full license. This is par for the course with any software..

ahh ok then no, you cant do that

stu

[Wingnut]

Well I just bought Silo 1.42 and Silo 2 upon release for $109.00. Don't think I can go wrong with this cheap program. If E Frontier gives a good deal for the new Amapi then maybe I'll get it also.

[jbshorty]

Originally Posted by Wingnut

Well I just bought Silo 1.42 and Silo 2 upon release for $109.00. Don't think I can go wrong with this cheap program. If E Frontier gives a good deal for the new Amapi then maybe I'll get it also.

Silo is a really good program. It still amazes me they can sell it so cheaply. I wouldn't say it's a "replacement" for Hexagon, but Hex+Silo will cover most of your poly-modeling needs. And seeing that you've already got a CAD program then you should be good for a while...

shorty