3D Studio MAX, Hard to learn?

[Atomik]

Ok,

I'm actually thinking of shelling the $3,000 to get 3D Studio MAX, but I wanna feel really good about it before I do. I am a decent learner and was able to pick up a good flash knowledge in about six months. I have Swift 3D and I need a program to be able to impost into there. What would your choice to be able to import as a .3DS file and/or What do you think about 3D Studio MAX? Specifically how the program works, time taken to learn, was it worth it, etc.

Thanks to everyone who gives their opinions

Michael Carriere
Atomik Design

[Sceppi]

I use swift 3D, and indeed if you want to make quality 3D flash stuff, you'll have to work with MAX.

I can say, from my experience: it takes TIME!
Use 3D studio for 1 year, and you'll probably know only half of it's features. Most programs are easy to learn by yourself, but not MAX. I mean: You can get the basics by yourslelf: How to create primitives, and how to render stuff, place lightng, etc...

But then you have to think about creating fog, reflections, and even more complex stuff like that. In order to understand all this, my opinion is: A BOOK IS AN ABSOLUTELY MUST !!

The program by itself is I must say: Excellent...
I mean: Once you start to know how everything works, you'll be able to make EVERY sort of shape with it.

I would say: Recommended for creating really good 3D stuff, but don't buy it, in mind with: Wow, within the next month, my websiter is goin' to be full with 3D MAX stuff...
'cause it'll take some more time than that!