Ha ! 3dOcean crowd is here !
well i use 3ds max for everything ! it’s indeed limitless..
Now let’s split this into two parts. 3ds max vs. Zbrush, and 3ds max and other 3d packages (emphasis on animation)
First of all, as a 3d artist, you have to develop a unique workflow for every new project, else things wont just get finished.
Part1:
So who is who ?
The main difference between the two programs is that 3ds max is the tool to “create”, and Zbrush is the tool to “sculpt” what you have “created”.
3ds max has good (but not the best) tools for modelling. But you can really create anything with the toolset that max presents. In newer versions, Autodesk introduced Graphite modelling tools, which proved to be quite robust.
On the other hand, Zbrush is quite limited in terms of creating base meshes (something to start with).. There are a few usefool tools like PolySphere and so on, but it generates tooo rough meshes which would add several levels of retopologysing to your mesh before you finish it. This takes time.
Solution ? Simply create a base mesh in 3ds max and export it to Zbrush to further enhance it.
Texturing and UVWs
Never quite played with texturing and UVW unwrapping in Zbrush, but i hear good feedback.. Still i kindof more believe in unwrapping the base mesh before exporting. to ease workflow with a heavily subdivided Zbrush model.
Rendering
Zbrush’s weakest point in my opinion. Never liked its renderer, no frame buffer. Limited lighting controls. Best to export model back to max (or whatever you are using) and render from there.
Other 3d Packages
There are many good packages in the market other than 3ds max.. But there is something different in every one of them. Like NURBS workflow in Rhino, or drawing workflow like in Sketchup, freeware like Blender, etc.
In my opinion, Autodesk’s Maya has the best modelling tools tho. Nevertheless, i found it as the most complicated software ever.
Part 2
Animation
Those of you who say 3ds max isnt made for animation. You are wrong. And especially character animation. Max simplified the process so much that it is pleasant to work on character rigs and such in it. Great Inverse Kinematics (IK) and decent bone tools. In addition to max’s BIPED object which is great for animation of humanoid characters. They have also introduced the CAT rig and now partnered with mixamo and made sort of an “appstore” for stock animations right inside max. (farewell 3dOcean “animations” category).
By the way, did you know that “Prince of Persia and the sands of time” game was created and animated in 3ds max ?
What are they using in the VFX and movie industry ? yep, 3ds max is the industry standard. Ever heard of FumeFx, Afterburn, Rayfire ? Those are top notch animation tools (plugins) which were made specifically for autodesk softwares (maya and 3ds max) those are of the most spectacular tools currently in the industry.
Still there are some new rising packages like Cinema 4d.. Well i say it is still to early for it to take the place of 3ds max, even though cinema 4d has presented a quite innovative approach to animation, it is still trailing what max can do (yes although max is getting a little outdated). C4D has great potential, and is the current trend for motion graphics designers. But if you started max, go on with it !
Hope this helped !
Cheers !