Don't want to start a rant here, I just need a little advice on the advantages or disadvantages or switching from Maya to Max. Used all the old stuff TDI, Wavefront, Alias and ,yes, ElectroGIG. Heard and seen good things from the sales people, etc. This will be my first purchase so I am interested in the support - thanks for this forum - and the ability (ease) of writing scripts. Any prefrences for the platform?

Both are good packages, and both are heavily entrenched in different industries. Both have scripting built in as you suggested. I think MEL is more complete and capable while MaxScript seems faster and easier to get things rolling. Just an observation though.

In a nutshell I think you have to look at the kind of work you want to do and use what they use. If you're into games or if you're a lone freelancer then MAX is a worthy investment. Otherwise if you're heading to a post house or VFX shop then stick with Maya.

Thanks Brandond - I'll have to check into the scripting of Max more. Not giving up Maya of course.

My company uses both and here's a few observations. Maya can be slow for putting together amany scenes that Max blows through. This may be Maya's tools are TOO customizable. Example: Maya lighting and shders have so many choices many artists here go crazy just trying to get an initial test scene thrown together. Modeling also tends to favor the nurbs and "high-end" approach to 3D. Lastly-few people actually need the extensive tool set it comes with (which I imagine is why the price is so high). On the other hand it pretty much assures you that you have every tool available when you need it. It's also pretty ubiquitous in the big studios so if you are going to work for them later on it's the program to know. Maya just seem to require alot more IT savvy support and is far less an "out of the box" program (for the basics) than Max.

Again- Max depends alot on plugins for things Maya already has so it depends on what you are going to be doing. The Max batch renderer is also extremely easy to setup and run (like 3 clicks and you're on). Maya does not come with a user friendly network renderer. Maya does a great job of keeping a high profile and knows how to milk the free markting it gets from the high end studios- but remember ILM has a dozen programmers to work out all the things you or I have to kludge through on our own! Good luck either way.

Just to add one more thought- Lightwave 7 looks like an amazing product and has a better renderer than Max or Maya and is cheaper.

Then be sure to check out
http://www.scriptspot.com

Also (shameless plug) take a look at Boboland...
http://www.gfxcentral.com/bobo/




Bobo
VR Boboland
http://gfxcentral.com/bobo/

Thanks Bobo. The site was what I was looking for. The thing I need to compare now is the wealth of information on that site for Max users and the wealth of Maya info on this site and others. You do get a lot out of the existing Maya user base as far as free scripts go. What I am bnervous about is that, like mel scripts that aren't done right (hey they are free), Max relies on the same kind of script based plugins, etc. Anycase I will check it all out.
Was curious how Electronic Outlaw says one time that he has no idea how Max does with animation and then touts it as a good "full animation" package. I am not sure what that means. I just got a demo of Max so I guess I can find out for myself.

Thanks again people