I don't udertand why everyone is using AfterFX instead of Combustion ?¿

mitteg wrote on 1/26/2003, 11:47 AM
I tried both and I do not like AfterFX interface, it reminds me of Premiere urrghh :-( .On the other hand, Combustion v2 interface is much more friendly in my opinion. I'm not an expert about FX, so I do not understand why almost everyone uses AfterFX for composing/titles/particle and so on?

No matter which forum I go, CreativeCOW, avid... there's always much more information about AfterFX, much more tutorials...

Can someone tell me what is the difference between these two composing programs ? Why everyone chooses AE ? Who uses Combustion?

Thanks !

Comments

msorrels wrote on 1/26/2003, 2:36 PM
The reasons are simple. After Effects has been around a lot longer, runs on Macs, and was (until the recent Combustion price drop) vastly cheaper. Add to this the way Discreet sells products(regional dealers) and After Effects wins everytime. One is much more mass market than the other, which explains all the information and tutorials.
mitteg wrote on 1/26/2003, 3:32 PM
thanks msorrels,

I see. So, is this situation (AfterFX vs Combustion) similar to Premiere/ VV ? The first one is on the mass market, but this does not mean it is better. Now, AE and Combustion v2.1 are more or less the same price. Which one would you recomend me ? I like discreet products, I have 3dstudio max and I find it very user-friendly. On the other hand I hate Adobe software, I don't know why really.

Thanks for your help.

Robert.
mitteg wrote on 1/26/2003, 3:32 PM
thanks msorrels,

I see. So, is this situation (AfterFX vs Combustion) similar to Premiere/ VV ? The first one is on the mass market, but this does not mean it is better. Now, AE and Combustion v2.1 are more or less the same price. Which one would you recomend me ? I like discreet products, I have 3dstudio max and I find it very user-friendly. On the other hand I hate Adobe software, I don't know why really.

Thanks for your help.

Robert.
rextilleon wrote on 1/26/2003, 8:22 PM
AE is a very capable program, as is Combustion----I think its a function of individual taste---I disagree with you about Adobe software---I think that Photoshop is simply brilliant and deserves its market leadership position----AE likewise----I think the only truely weak program in the Adobe collection is Premiere and it certainly has improved---if it wasn't so damn buggy----
msorrels wrote on 1/26/2003, 9:33 PM
I think Combustion is a slightly better fit for anyone doing 3d animation work. I like AE too, but it doesn't quite have the 3d toolset that Combustion does. But in the end, both products do about the same things. The new lower price on Combustion is a very good deal. I think if your a 3ds Max user, Combustion is a much better choice. AE has a lot of strengths in more 2d style compositing and the way it works with other Adobe tools. It also has a better selection of 3rd party plugins. Learning material is much more available on AE. If your not able to learn software without extra help, Combustion might not be for you. Neither is really a clear winner. I'd pick the one that does the things you want to do most often the best. Both products will do the core basic features just fine. The difference is more how they handle things on the edge. I don't think you can go really wrong with either of them.
FuTz wrote on 1/27/2003, 10:18 AM
And wich one's easier to use? I mean, the most intuitive? I ask cause it seems to me using AE means a lot of calculations...
mitteg wrote on 1/27/2003, 11:28 AM
I have been trying Combustion v2.1 these days and I must admit that is awesome. I'm learning it by doing tutorials and reading the manual. It's difficult, but more or less intuitive. When I render something I get better results than AE. I don't know why really, maybe is subjective, but the motion, the letters are crisp and clear, no flickers... It's a stable program. Not the version 2, which is rather buggy. Version 2.1 is almost bugg-free I belive. Particle effects are nice, they took ages to render even with fast computers, but it's absolutely worth.

I'm not an expert at all, but after trying both softwares (as a begginer) I find Combustion a rock solid professional tool.

Just my opinion.

Robert.