former strata user looking for a new 3d application (mac). I am quiting strata, for known reasons and I am looking for a new 3d application. Carrara looks good, cinema 4d looks better. Has anyone tried both ? cinema 4d: http://www.maxon.de/usa/index.html

Havn't tried Cinema 4d & thought I'd get that myself, until I checked prices. Even a competitive upgrade from RDS, Carrara or Strata will set you back 1295. I'd sure play with the demo long & hard before choosing. Carrara is OK for the price & perhaps Adobe will improve it. I still think RDS 5.5 is more full-featured but it is an orphan. However, if you can find it for a good (less then 200.00) price I'd go that rout (you could upgrade to Carrara latter. I guess it depends on if your doing 3D for a hobby or for proffession. I use RDS & Carrara for both, but very little for work.

Don't miss out on Animation Master (www.hash.com), which costs $299 yet has features that rival very expensive 3D software like 3DMax and Lightwave. Its rendering features are nothing to scoff at, especially since it even has radiosity. It is simply the best character animation and modelling software around for that price range.

I use Cinema4D, and absolutely love it. I started with the GO version ($200), and eventually moved up to XL6. There was a magazine a few months ago which put a C4D GO demo on their CD, and you could upgrade to the full version for $50. Search the archives here at Renderosity to find it. You might be able to buy a back issue of that magazine.

I am currently taking a class on Cinema 4D at a community College in Berkeley, CA -- It ROCKS!! The makers of Cinema 4d (Maxon) offer about a $700 price for the educational version, it's fully registerable with no restrictions. Also, if you're taking a class in 3D, they offer an additional discount for a grand total Ed. price of $500 (this is $2400 software). Carrara is nice, but it's still pretty buggy. I'm looking forward to the future of it as well.