Does anyone know what kind of animating programs comapanies like pixar or dreamworks use? I'm wondering, because I'm kinda looking into professional animations, and need some advice on what program to use... flash works for 2d, but i dont think i can do 3d very well in in.
Thanks
Peace
aaron

lacking_imagination: I do not know exactly what software Pixar use, but the closest you will probably get to it is 3D Studio Max (3ds max). I don't think that you will be able to get the exact software which is used by the animation companies. You can download a trial version of the latest version of 3DS Max from discreet.com which is the creator of it.

Other software packages would be like Maya, Lightwave, POV Ray. Good luck with whatever you want to do with it.

Yeah, I think 3ds Max and Maya would be the best. The ones Pixar use might be Machintosh ones that they had someone compiled especially for them. I don't know.

http://www.3dtotal.com/ , you can see what people can do with their 3d programs. I think it's Pixar-quality, or even better.

most companies use programs like that in fact i think it's more than likley that 3dsmax (with a few modifications) is what they use for thier modelling at least if not the actual animation. all i can say is that none of the programs mentioned come cheap your looking at about £300-400 each (i don't know what that is in dollars) for a home licence. But i think they can be brought cheaper with student discount ect. It's worth looking into them if your serious.

speakin of 3d animation.. im a mathmatics major at my school.. and i was looking into goin into some kind of computer animation option... if anybody knows, will u please give me some info on this? thanx

Some people are pretty good in making a 3d feel with flash... I just can't do it... I have a friend who has a book about how to make scripts that can generate 3d animations, for example the rotation of a head, tanks going around with a perspective view (He's made a game for it. Actually, 3.). That's pretty cool too.

As shown at the end of all Pixar films, they use Renderman. A program the, of course, they developed themselves. Renderman is the absolute ruler over all animation programs. The only way you can use it is to have an animation team like pixars with different people good with each part of the program. Also, many of them know all the math that goes into it and change the program with each movie.

I found that now they are actually selling it for around 7Gs...
One would pobably have to get a bachelor's in animation to wield that thing (If there is such a degree).

I think most 3d movie companies that don't have their own proprietary software use Maya, because Maya is especially good for creating scenes in a movie.

Game companies use 3ds max mostly.

And yes, sadly, they also use Macs.

I am currently trying to get some 3d animation going for some projects at my work. Renderman is what pixar uses huh? Any idea who makes that?? Or where to get it? Why do you have to have a team? Is that actually a licensing requirement?? If anyone has more information on this topic - it would be great to hear about. I would expect that there are at least some similarities to other more archaic 3d programs so that some experienced with other programs might make an easier transition to Renderman.

Happy Designing to All

check this out and the next time read all in the topic if u are interested in the subject

It would make sense ,if ur a big company like Pixar, you would develope your own soft or at least order it .. so you would be the only one with the resources to make this hq movies. SO i dout you will be able to finde and get the SAME soft that pixar uses.. only.. if you have any Pixar related "connections" you can "buy" the soft..