Hi there folks, I'm looking around for some new software, and I've heard Vue mentioned a few times. I once tried to install a free version from a magazine but it just wouldn't, so I've never actually tried it. So, what do you all think about it? What do you like and dislike about it? How does it compare to other progs? I use Bryce4, Poser5 and I'm learning Wings 3D - I like Wings and Bryce but Poser, less so. How does Vue compare to those? Does it complement any of them, does it complement anything else? Is there a free trial version anywhere about? How much does the program cost? (UK money if possible - I'm crap at converting, dunno where to start!) It would be nice to hear about the program if anyone could help? FranOnTheEdge

Hey try Vue4, the download is about $70; L40... Poser is complimented, Build Environs in Vue input Poser Character... Vue5 Infinite will give you a good pro platform. Bryce ? If you look at the gallery you will see that Vue is not the most used prog, yet but the quality and ease to work with are great. I came back to graphics and was suprized at the ease of VUE R My two cents

You can also visit the Backroom link in the header of the forum. There you will find a page with links to past discussions and comparisons between Vue and other software.

You can find downloads of free demo version at E-on's web-site. www.e-onsoftware.com Vue 5 has some very powerful lighting models, which the current version of Bryce doesn't (I believe). Vue is easy to learn and quite intuitive - yet it's also extremely powerful. Now that they have made some of the features available as seperate models, you can add what you want to the base package if you feel that you don't need the power of Infinite. With it's ability to support a wide range of object imports, including Poser, Vue 5 is IMHO the most powerful and flexible 3D art package currently out there. However, from what I have seen of work from the beta version, the full-blown TGD version of Terragen is likely to provide some stiff competition for those primarily interested in landscapes.

I've been a Bryce user for years, used different versions, Bryce 5 as the last one. Since almost a year now I'm a Vue user. How did this come about? Besides being a Bryce user I've been a Truespace and Poser user for many years too. Due to the nature of my work I always used to use all of the 3 application seperately, import all of the rendered items into a 4th application. Last year all of this changed, I decided to create digital comics. Have been creating hand drawn ones for years, but with all of my 3D skills gained over the years I decided to give 3D digital comics a try. Then all of the problems started and Bryce's weaknesses started to show. First of all Poser import was a huge mess in Bryce 5 and needed much adjustments and work. Secondly TrueSpace import wasn't great either. Thirdly rendering large scenes with a number of poser figures in it, just was a nightmare. The DAZ came along claiming to offer the solution to my problem.... but the nightmare became worse. Now I needed to depend on D/S Studio for my poser imports. DAZ D/S Studio couldn't open most of my pz3 file correctly and it's imo one of the worst 3D applications I've ever seen. The nightmare grew bigger and bigger. I also noticed that I wasn't the only having problems gettting my pz3 files into D/S Studio and after reporting it a number of times only to be ignored and brushed off by DAZ, I decided it's time for a change..... Then I noticed Vue 4. It imports Poser 5 stuff without a problem and with Mover 5 it can even handle animations, dynamic hair and cloth.... also the renders are so much better and realistic with Vue 4. The trees are so much better then the ones in Bryce 5. Alpha planes (which I use quite often) are much better too. As far as rendering goes, my scenes do render a lot and lot faster with Vue 4 then they ever did in Bryce 5. Vue 4 also does handle TrueSpace files without a problem, completely intact and textured, got to see Bryce doing that. Then Vue 5 came along, wow, where to start? The improvements are brilliant, all that I missed in Vue 4 coming from Bryce 5 is now a part of Vue 5 too. Bryce is lightyears behind on Vue now. Vue 5 is even easier to use then Vue 4 and it makes Bryce seem complicated. Everything is accessable and makes sense in Vue 5, which wasn't the case in Bryce at all. Now with all of these seperate modules added, Vue is just excellent. Best thing to do is just download the demo and see for yourself. Even getting Vue 4 (which is really well priced now) will be such an improvement over Bryce. But really the main thing that made switch permanently is when DAZ became the new owner of Bryce. After having used D/S Studio for a while, I fear the worst for Bryce. DAZ has little experience in 3D applications, doesn't care about Poser users at all, doesn't listen to their customers at all, as far as I'm concerned they're just after my money. That has been (and still is) my experience with DAZ. My experience with Vue is different. I know they're after my money too, but they do conceil it much better. They've got great support, much experience and they do listen to their customers and care about them. I've requested a number features in Vue and they were very much welcomed. I and others have requested a number of features for Bryce too, only to be laughed at by DAZ, just to show the difference.

I am not familiar with Bryce - when I was looking for a landscape generator, after comparing Bryce galleries to Vue ones the choice wasn't hard. I upgraded to V5 recently, and am very happy with it. It is extremely easy and fun to use, and communicates very well with other programs (I use Poser, Xfrog for additional trees, and Sketchup for architectural modeling).

Compared to Vue I think Poser is an absolute horror - I simply hate working with it: slow, unintuitive, ridiculously impractical interface, constant freeze ups and crashes - everything that Vue is and does not. Actually, Poser figures generally look better when rendered in Vue than in Poser!

Most importantly, of course, I think Vue is capable of outputting images that can compete in quality with those generated in software 4 times the price. The new global illumination/global radiosity renderer is unbelievably good.

I do have issues with e-ons pricing policies (be aware that if you are in Europe, you pay the price in euros rather than dollars, plus added tax) and advertising tactics, but they are responsive to customers' suggestions and complaints.

DVcreator, "try Vue4, the download is about $70; L40..." Er... maybe when I've got the money. I'd rather try a trial version first though. Thanks for the info. Fran

agiel, I'll have a look in the backroom, thanks. Fran

LordWexford, Hey, thanks for the web address. "Vue 5 has some very powerful lighting models, which the current version of Bryce doesn't (I believe)." Yes, I must say I'm not impressed with the lighting in Bryce. "However,/// the full-blown TGD version of Terragen is likely to provide some stiff competition for those primarily interested in landscapes." Yes, I do like the free version of Terragen, not sure if the upgrade is worth the price just for bigger terrains though. Thanks for the help. Fran

aeilkema, "Now I needed to depend on D/S Studio for my poser imports. DAZ D/S Studio couldn't open most of my pz3 file correctly and it's imo one of the worst 3D applications I've ever seen. The nightmare grew bigger and bigger." I too have been having problems with Daz - even just getting it to work at all. "Then Vue 5 came along, wow, where to start? " Coo, sounds nice. I bet it's expensive though. Thanks for the info. Fran

MartinPh, "(I use Poser, Xfrog for additional trees, and Sketchup for architectural modeling)." Xfrog, huh? I've heard of that one too. "Compared to Vue I think Poser is an absolute horror - I simply hate working with it: slow, unintuitive, ridiculously impractical interface, constant freeze ups and crashes - everything that Vue is and does not. " Well you've certainly hit Poser on the head there! I'm liking the sound of Vue, more and more. Thanks very much for the advice. Fran

@ LordWexford: Tne registered version of Terragen lets you build and import bigger terrains, which means a lot lore details in your scenes, plus improved anti aliasing, plus bigger renders ( = 100% more details in your final renders.) The next version of Terragen , TG2 will be a lot like Vue, with import of 3d geometry, multiple lights, displacement mapping, subsurface scattering, import of Xfrog plants and so on.. Terragen is a fantastic program, not to mention it's the most photorealistic landscape rendering app you can get. But right now, I'm really bored with it, as all of the fantastic features I mentionned are yet to be implemented. Now Bryce: Yuukkk!!! Ugly renders, bad imports, most unfriendly user interface, very complicated yet powerful material editor, great terrain editor. Nuff said.

I find Vue to be invaluable.

My only feature request is more realistic clouds, the ability to create thunderheads....cumulous etc. w/out having to use alphas.

That said, I'm excited to see the direction E-ON is moving in, based on the sneek peek of V5I feature list(if it all comes to pass). With the new V5 & upcoming V5I & the addition of procedurals terrains & the deep texture editor(and it is deep) I see Vuer's putting out Terregan quality images very soon(landscape wise). V5's terrain editor is so deep it makes my head spin LOL.

I see the competition ramping up...which IMHO, benefits all concerned.

Message edited on: 01/30/2005 19:34

Message edited on: 01/30/2005 19:35

Attached Link: http://www.e-onsoftware.com/

"Coo, sounds nice. I bet it's expensive though." It really depends on what you want. I wouldn't go by other peoples word, but try the demo's yourself to see what suits you best. As far as prices goes you can find out all info on the E-On website. You don't need to convert, just go into the store and choose the uk and all of the prices will be in pounds. So check the link it gives you all of the information you do need.

aeilkema, "As far as prices goes you can find out all info on the E-On website. You don't need to convert, just go into the store and choose the uk and all of the prices will be in pounds." Oh lovely. I'm certainly going there! Thanks. Fran