I started in 3D with TurboCAD 3D, this cheezy cheap excuse for CAD, (i prefer autocad now). Yet, i was able to make 3d objects and render them, which was mindblowing. I then found bryce 2, totally stunning, after which i had to upgrade to bryce 3d, and then version 4. The problem with bryce is that its renderer just isnt all that powerful. So i needed more. 3dsmax had the power, but i lacked the knowhow, so i went to rhino. Excellent program, you can make ANYTHING in a relatively short time, yet again, lacking rendering capability. Enter...Carrara, the perfect vehicle by which to render my creations. It's built so much like bryce that the familiarity alone made it plausible to use. And now, since the current update, its better than ever. I have dipped my hand into a few other packages, most notably Alias|Wavefront, but i just cant grasp that yet. Good luck to all future 3D artists!

From what i can tell, the most noticable difference is light intereactions. In the raytracer, light is not refracted and applied as well as in the hybrid ray tracer. Also, there seems to be a slight speed improvement in the hybrid. I've never really seen a use for the raytracer, i dont know why its included along with the hybrid.

i was really unsure since i just bought one, and it looks almost a clear red (my pic is a decent likeness) so i didnt know, but if u guys think thats cool ill give that a shot

The render didnt take 2 hrs, just playing with settings to get it to look right did. I have an 1 ghz athlon, so im set in terms of render power, it only took 1:02 to render. Thanx anyway guys...and no, bryce is crap, i wouldnt render anything there.

I curently have both. Your best bet is to do the same, modelling in rhino is superior in just about every way, and if you can learn to use it, then i say get it. (Also if you have autocad experience then definitely go for it). As for carrara, its far superior renderer can make anything you've made in rhino look like a dream. Exporting in 3d studio format is the best method i've found. Good luck!

sorry, i forgot, the cone is turned on btw.

hmm, im sorry that didnt work, it did once for me, but we may be victim to a glitch. There is no hidden option. You may just have to plod along in one continuous animation.

While i dont know of any official way to do it, what you may want to do is make the first part of your animation, save it, and then start a new one. Load your previous part, clear the animation frames, and start from that point. The reason your getting an error is probably thanks to one of Carrara's thousands of glitches. You could also try saving the last frame, then start a new animation, and use the merge feature to continue on with your animation. Good Luck! Your pic looks great so far. Cant wait to see the finished result.

the idea behind the weird background was to give it an artsy, flowing feel, its a background for a page, so it needs to blend.

to be honest, i cant use 3ds max very well, in fact i suck at it. and no, the numbers arent bumps

No, no new speakers unless u want this one. And yes, its new, freshly created...lol, hasnt experienced the pain of hip hop yet....

No,the pins were created in rhino using a revolve function. The pins are only placed ondly for purposes of the scene, i found that placing them correctly detracted from the aesthetic quality of the pic, so i left em weird. As for animation, thats a foray im not sure if i wanna hit yet...

That's really excellent Fat. I think the light comimg out should be a little less bright, but that amazing nonetheless. If u dont mind emailing me at mf193@hotmail.com and telling me the basics of doing it. Just astonishing. GREAT WORK