MAX 7

I have spent a full day being trained on the new release of MAX 7 today. Most of the updates are Games biased, not an area we train in currently, it is mostly visualisation in either architectural, exhibition or inventor's products, therefore it was a great opportunity to explore what Max can do in this area.

I am amazed at the difference in the software, not only MAX 7, but other design software available now compared to when I first started to use it in 1993. Things have been made so easy to achieve now, modelling, animation, graphic design, web design and even video editing. Hardware is so much more powerful - no more walking away and making a cup of tea while the machine thought about what you wanted it to do. What amazes me most is the programming behind all of this, the machines and the software. It really makes the mind boggle when you see the code and the maths that go into making the software that creates movies like Finding Nemo and Shrek, let alone the Lord of the Rings Trilogy's digital effects.

Does anyone else stop to think about how unreal it all is and how much we take all this for granted, when less than 15 years ago, the bulk of animation was 2D? The additions in the new version of MAX are absolutely amazing and so incredibly powerful, yet only part of the wish list has been added - what will it eventually be like in 15 years time?