why is the rendering quality not as good as Lightwave? Does Vue 4 uses global illumination? The rendering quality on vegetation looks like plastic.

Err... because it isn't an uber-App like Lightwave? No it doesn't use GI, and the vegetation can look very realistic with a bit of work on the materials

I like Vue 4 because it is easy to build natural sceneries very easily than compare to LW or Max. But if the rendering quality is not as good as LW there is no reason for me to use the software for our pipeline. It would be nice if Vue 4 Pro can accept third-party renderers like Final Render, Mental Ray or Renderman. Then it would be a really useful piece of software.

Well, Vue 4 Pro exports the whole scene to many higher end apps, including lightwave, so that maybe the answer and do the render there. Check this link to see the export formats http://www.e-onsoftware.com/Products/vue4pro/index.php?Page=10

Will it also export the textures of the environment and vegetation? or just a mesh?

From what I read, its everything. This is the bit from E-on's site: Full Object and Scene Export Options Import fully textured models from other 3D applications. All objects (including vegetation, the result of a Boolean Operation...) can be exported. Exports under Discreet 3DS, Wavefront OBJ, LightWave LWO, Cinema 4D C4D, Truespace COB, AutoCAD DXF, Shade SHD file formats. All materials (including procedural materials) can be rendered into texture maps for export. Exported objects are UV mapped using advanced flattening algorithms. This UV information is used to generate the texture maps. Independent texture maps for color, bump and alpha material channels. Sky-box/sky-sphere rendering of the atmosphere for export as a 2D texture map. Automatic creation of mapped atmosphere primitives (cube, sphere or octahedron) for export. Entire scenes, including all objects, lights and atmosphere can be exported as 3DS, LWS. The resolution of the exported meshes is user definable. The resolution of the texture maps generated is user definable. Object animation information (motion, scale and orientation) can be exported as 3DS or LightWave MOT/LWS files. Objects can be converted to polygons inside Vue Pro (e.g. for faster rendering of complex Boolean operations). Several meshes can be welded together into a single, more complex one. Objects can be marked as not being exportable to prevent third party exports. hope this helps.

Thanks. I got to see this if it really really works as promised.

Thats what we are all waiting for! The reports from the beta testers are all positive so far, and they are shipping it, so I would have thought that it should do what it says (especially as this is its major feature!)

I read "Entire scenes, including all objects, lights and atmosphere can be exported as 3DS, LWS." My question is: how???

I don't know! I assume that the formats mentioned can carry the relevant data - I think all the uber-apps have filters for whole scene imports. Check out E-on's site for more info. http://www.e-onsoftware.com

Oops, sorry, didn't read that you were talking about the Pro version. That also answers Kiwisheep's initial question; no one can't, not with the standard version of Vue, unless he wants to come up with $499...

Only one point. Have you compared prices between the applications? Lets be very open. Why is my Volkswagen not as fast as your Ferrari? Same sort of question. And why are you using Lightwave even when Maya or Softimage is producing much better stuff? You see, not so easy and we should be real. This is a very reasonable software with which you can do excellent things. Not everything, but a lot of good ones. Look into the gallery. Sorry to be so direct, but my feeling was that your critique is a little unfair.

GAUSSIAN asked: I read "Entire scenes, including all objects, lights and atmosphere can be exported as 3DS, LWS." My question is: how??? In Vue Pro, you just have to click an icon to do so:-)

I totally agree with Wabe. But something else; my guess is that Kiwisheep has an illegal version of both Lightwave and Vue, because what would explain that he doesn't know what the price differences are. That would also explain his rather foolish comparison.

And - this morning i tried to see his gallery etc. He already has disappeared as far as i can see. He is not found under his nick nor under his "real" name.

I hate leaping to the defence of people I don't know but leaping to the conclusion that: "my guess is that Kiwisheep has an illegal version of both Lightwave and Vue, because what would explain that he doesn't know what the price differences are. That would also explain his rather foolish comparison." At no point has Kiwisheep responded to the price comparison so may know about it and have a different view on the subject. When dealing with "virtual" products the price is not a good guide to quality. For example many of Daz's models are supperior to more expensive models sold elsewhere they can afford to do this because they sell far more of their models at that lower price than their high priced competitors. I could go into more detail but it would involve reproducing a six week module of my MBA about pricing that is really, really dull. " And - this morning i tried to see his gallery etc. He already has disappeared as far as i can see. He is not found under his nick nor under his "real" name." And again the suggestion that those of us without galleries are in some way less legitamate than someone who does. I don't have any of those things either for various personal reasons - it doesn't make me a hacker, a troll or a software pirate - it just means I don't have them. Frankly given that someone dropped the accusation of piracy I'd be out of here pretty quick if I was legit and new. Of course the alternative would be to consider various legal actions I could take against my accusers... All I'm saying guys and gals is don't leap to conclusions like they do in some other forums round here and keep this place nice and friendly.

He didn't have anything in his gallery when I first responded to him either. Not sure how you can make the assumption he has pirate software, though. I mean his tone was a bit funny, thats why I answered him(her,it, whatever); nothing said indicated dubious intent. This seems to be symptomatic of the sometimes percieved attitudes of this community - I know of one person who is refusing to post anymore because of what they see as clannish voting and comments. It has also been implied to me personally that my recent 'The Sirens' picture was 'voted up' by either myself or others and to be careful 'as people are watching.' What sort of place is this turning into? I didn't mention the price comparion either - am I under further suspicion as well?

Niandji: Yes!

Is that a joke?

Ooh my...