I just upgraded to Vue 7 Xstream. I hope it works in Lightwave as advertised. Even if it doesn't, it should work as a standalone program, and maybe I'll buy 3ds or Cinema 4d someday.

I wonder if  Xstream 7 will still work as a plugin when the host applications are upgraded. 

Vue 7 still doesn't like the ATI 3800 series. I might need a new video card.  

Nvidia is most definately the way to go for Video cards...and dont swallow that "Quatro" garbage you dont need it. I run an older 8800 GTS 650M and that is more than enough(;

Found out the difference between cards - nVidia's Quadro line, and ATI's FireGL line, that is.

Here's the deal - consumer cards (and I'm using a GeForce 8800 in one computer, and a 7900 in another) draw the entire screen all at once. When anything changes on the screen, the WHOLE THING is redrawn. This is why they work so well with games, and not AS well with CAD type applications, or generally stuff like Photoshop and the like.

Quadro and FireGL cards "segment" the screen. Each "element" is its own thing the either needs or doesn't need to be redrawn. Picture the 4-panel display of most 3D apps. Each panel is its own screen, as is the tool bar, the menu bar, the CURSOR, object menu section, the timeline at the bottom, etc. Every CHUNK is its own layer. When you move the cursor around and do nothing, it's only redrawing the sursor itself as its own layer. When you move something on 1 panel, it's only redrawing the panel.

Mudbox can edit meshes in "layers" you don't actually see - it's designating THIS MESH a layer to the Pro card, which is why it can keep track of it so well.

It almost never has to redraw the menu bar, the object list section, the materials section, the tool bar, etc. JUST the panel being used/changed is ALL it has to think about which is why it goes faster for CAD/3D software - basically most software used by those of us on Rendo.

These cards to NOT handle games well - why? Well, it has to redraw a HUGE screen as your Mana/Power/Health bars go up and down, while your radar screen is movigng around to show you enemies within sight, etc. Too much info all at once - get it?

So, basically, if you NEVER run games on your computer, and only plan on making your 3D images, and video and photo/image editing, I'd invest in a QuadroFX or FireGL card.

If you play games - especially newer VERY graphics intensive games - get consumer cards.

Mudbox will be limited to something like 3 layers is my drawback...

Hope this makes sense-
-Lew ;-)

VERY helpful post, thundering1!! Thank you!

I'm especially interested in this because I am going to have a computer custom-built. : ) From the sound of things, I am probably always going to have an issue with something -- because I want the comp for my 3D apps, but I would also love to be able to play the demanding games on it as well. :d

Ah well, my first choice is deffo gonna be to build a computer capable of maximizing the features of my 3D programs. Thanks again for your info, I never knew the difference between the cards. :D

Glad it was helpful - I only found this out about a month ago myself. My work computer is gonna eventually get a QuadroFX card (all it does is 3D, Photoshop, and video editing and FX work) while my home computer will stay GeForce because I love my games ;-)

Dude, this is awsome.  I always wondered what the difference was and why lower memory workstation cards performed better for CG apps than video game cards.  now I know.

Well, if that is indeed the case (as it seems to be)  then i stand corrected and find yet again another reason why it was useless for me to go to college:D But alas, I am also a gamer, so for me...i am stuck with my non Quatro cards:D

Believe me - I'm having trouble justifying the expense - I'm REALLY tempted to stick with me GeForce card for work. My work needs to be fast, but right now it's just too expensive.

Found out another benefit, but it doesn't apply to me - Max and Maya can use a pro-card to handle the rendering of a scene. Since I have C4D, they haven't done that feature yet, so still not seeing a HUGE reason for me to make the switch.

I always wondered why there was SUCH a price jump between the cards?! And they can't play freakin' games!!

My understanding is that they could play games, but not nearly to the level as your over the counter consumer cards.  I sit corrected again.  Dude, you are just full of all sorts of good tech info.  Can I come over to your house, have coffee and learn more stuff?

They can play games in general - just not graphics intensive ones. They'll stutter and choke up - and by them time they catch up in the middle of a fight in something like Gears of War2 your character will be dead and you didn't realize it.

Sure - you're cordially invited for coffee and conversation, but unfortunately I came up on this stuff almost by accident, and most of my knowledge is of filmmaking, illustration and photography.

Digital post production is fairly new to me for all of the above, and MOST of what I know best (in relation to the 3 subjects above) is Photoshop.

Works for me, get a pot brewing, I am grabbing my hat and scarf and walking out the door as we speak.........  :^)

Ya like sugar cubes and non-dairy creamer?
Yes, I got a giggle from that one ;-)