Dynamic simulation in a 3D-environment : A comparison between Maya and Blender

Abstract: Today there are several 3D software’s that are capable of producing realistic simulations, such as fire, water, smoke, cloth etc. This thesis will focus on two software’s, Autodesk Maya and Blender. The first one, Maya, is an industry-leading commercial product, while the second, Blender, is based on open-source. Thus raising interesting questions regarding the overall performance in both software's. Three different sets of simulations will be created in both applications, then a comparison will be made focusing on the work-flow, rendering time and the final render. In order to draw a conclusion of the final result, each simulation will be rendered as a short video sequence and later showed to a number of participants. The participants will then decide which simulation looks more appealing in the terms of both photorealism and behaviour of the simulations. Through that process, it is showed that both applications outweigh each other in different areas. Keywords: Maya, Blender, computer graphics, dynamics, simulation