I’ve taught myself Autodesk Softimage at a point that I’m very confident in the program.  I notice that most Jobs are using Maya, now on a freelance note it doesn’t matter what software you use as long as it gets the Job done.  If you are planning to work in a studio having an understanding of a program is indeed helpful.  Now that Autodesk owns both programs, I was informed that they are both almost identical, and I could make the transition to Maya fairly easy if it became crucial.

I actually just recently switched to Maya, for pretty much the reason you mention, a LOT of people use it.  As a studio, it was a logical step to switch to a software with the biggest user base.  That combined with Toxic made the switch a no brainer.

So you could do like me and learn them All, lol.  Before Maya I was with C4D and XSI, a couple of years ago I was with 3dsMax and 10 years ago I was with Lightwave, lol.  The sad thing is, I forget as quickly as I learn, as soon as I’ll know Maya, I’m sure I’ll completely have forgotten how to use C4D and XSI, D’oh!

If you are a generalist it’s always tougher to switch software as you have SO much to relearn. Specialist, like animators have it easier, as the general workflow stays the same.  Well unless you are an animator that does rigging, then it’s gonna be tougher.

I did get a membership to Digital Tutors, with their current membership setup, I get access to ALL their training kits.  They are not the most in depth tutorials, but if you already know your way around 3D softwares, all you really need to know is the general stuff, the rest you should be able to figure out.  I did find that the best way to learn quickly, is to start a production while learning a soft, the pressure of having to deliver a job will make you figure stuff out Fast! lol

If you look at my site, that’s what I did for C4D, with the Gatorade spot and XSI with the Duvalin spot.  It’s cool because you deliver a project and at the same time, become proficient in a soft ;)

Are you now just using and only using Maya ? Do you find there is less technical restrictions within Maya then with Softimage ? As in you can solve something on your own ? What is Maya’s pitfalls ? I know Maya doesn’t have ICE like Softimage does, but if creating your idea takes a few days to solve in ICE or weeks that is time wasted, and that is I find one of the pitfalls with some of the things in Softimage.  And I’d hate to land a position and they like the demo reel only to ask me was that done in maya ? And I reply No and they <sigh> I know a tool doesn’t make an artist but some people or studios would rather know you’re using what everyone else is using. I’m at a position where as I’m near finished a project that I did in Softimage and if don’t have some of the technical restrictions that sometimes come along with Softimage in Maya.

Well in our case, we will continue to use them all depending on the project. 

Some modelers prefer to use XSI, so that will be up to them.  Others (namely me ;) ) love bodypaint (in C4D), so I’ll continue using that for texturing.  Yeah, ICE is awesome, so for now I’d still use this to make any particle animation.  I’ve heard Maya’s particle are great too, but until I’m comfortable with them like I am ICE, I’ll continue using Softimage.

I mostly work with freelancers, so obviously the question of software they use does come up often.  My general rule is, they have to get familiar with it before starting work and then, I’ll help with the transition if they have questions and such, or other employees will help.  But that always been for animators or texturers, where the amount of info needed is minimum.  I must admit I wouldn’t hire a TD or a generalist if he wasn’t already comfortable with the soft, as he would slow down the production too much since his adjustment period would be too great.

But I do understand where you are coming from, as a generalist and TD for years myself, when I was a freelancer I used ONE software, since it made me a much better TD, it’s easy to learn the nooks and cranny’s of a ONE software, but you can stretch yourself thin if you try to be TD of all of them.

If I made the switch to Maya that is a an expensive transition to make, more with money then time as I feel it won’t be as hard for me to make the transition compared to when I went from Lightwave to Softimage. I asked this question because in all honestly, I hate to change I know it can be good but it also can be bad.  I understand that in a production environment, they want to hand you the instructions and you can load up the software and get to work, and then your paycheck starts or even in a freelance environment where they use the same program as you. What I worry about is if I stuck with Softimage, then the opportunity would arise and I’m asked ”So do you know how to do ABC in Maya” and I say no, but I can do it in Softimage, that might not be the answer they want. Or even worse say ”What is Softimage?

Softimage is a great package that is established but when it comes to starting to have a income to enjoy a comfortable living you have to asset what is the right decision to make that will be long term and that I won’t regret.  And currently it’s coming down to I either stick by Softimage or I put it in a boat and a let it sail away.  I prefer to do everything in one software program, I don’t like to be the jack of all trades because in all honesty I don’t think it’s a trend to follow.