Autodesk has a monopoly on 3d software.

[Jabberwock xeno]

If the our government can split up other monopolic companies, why not autodesk?

 

[Radeonx]

I believe that, technically, it isn't a Monopoly, but it is awfully close to one.

 

[zfactor]

They don't.

I know of Blender and Daz3D, both are free.

 

[shado_temple]

SolidWorks is still a strong competitor, I feel.

 

[Jabberwock xeno]

Just of the top of my head I can think of Blender and Zbrush that aren't Autodesk. There are more. CAD, Maya and 3Ds Max may be the biggst kids on the block, but that doesn't mean that there aren't competitors.

On the other hand I'm pretty glad there's kind of a monopoly on these programs. Can you imagine what it would be like if every studio used it's own 3d software.

But it's so expensive...

 

[Dys]

SolidWorks is still a strong competitor, I feel.

I'd actually argue that for the overwhelming majority of mechanical systems design, solidworks has near a monopoly, as people simply don't seem to use auto-CAD unless they are working within statics. Solidworks is more than enough of a competitor for it to not be a autodesk monopoly.

 

[Jabberwock xeno]

But it's so expensive...

Blender is free, I think. And 3d programs have never really been intended for personal use. They're more b2b oriented.

Meh.

Blender is so hard to use, and let's face it, blender is the only real good compitior to autodesk.

 

[Shifty Tortoise]

Autodesk programs are some of the very few i wouldn't feel guilty about pirating (not saying i have, don't suspend me >.<) I've already got a legit copy of Max, Mudbox and Maya. So not much need to.

It actually makes very little sense, the cost of the software inhibits the ability for people to learn it. They should only be charging companies that use their programs to make profit.



Going off topic here, anybody find it strange that it's taken me over 2 years to get 200 posts?

 

[mindlesspuppet]

If the our government can split up other monopolic companies, why not autodesk?

Autodesk is no where close to a monopoly.

ZBrush crushes Mudbox. Houdini is pretty close in terms to Maya, some actually prefer it. Not to mention there's Silo, Blender, Rhino, etc.

Autodesk has plenty of competition.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

*looks in from modelling in Lightwave 9.6*

Monopoly, you say?

I get to be the race car, then.

 

[Penguinness]

Though most companies I see use 3d Studio Max or Maya in modelling, it still doesn't mean there's a monopoly if there's other programs around. And a lot of people have mentioned ZBrush, which I've seen companies prefer if you have experience in that, not so much Mudbox.

It does seem weird to me that they own different programs that do almost the same thing (Max, Maya, XSI for example, then there's differen't versions of those too) but hey, I guess other companies do that too.

 

[Jabberwock xeno]

Though most companies I see use 3d Studio Max or Maya in modelling, it still doesn't mean there's a monopoly if there's other programs around. And a lot of people have mentioned ZBrush, which I've seen companies prefer if you have experience in that, not so much Mudbox.

It does seem weird to me that they own different programs that do almost the same thing (Max, Maya, XSI for example, then there's differen't versions of those too) but hey, I guess other companies do that too.

Still, Autodesk makes like 85% of all the 3d software, everything else only makes one product.