Blender Vs C4D vs Houdini In Motion Graphics

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In the field of motion graphics, I think we've got 3 very powerful competitors: Blender, Cinema 4D, and Houdini! However, I can't help but wonder, what is the best software among the three? And which software is better for your needs and projects?

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[AlenHR]

I used Blender for many years before switching to Houdini about 5 years ago to create fluid simulations. I work in game development, so I use Houdini for multiple hours each day. The first year with Houdini was tough, but it got better in the second year. Now, I even tinker with Houdini on vacation to try out random ideas.
Once you get the hang of it, especially if you're a certain type of thinker, it's hard to switch to other software. The ability to approach tasks in countless ways is invaluable to me. While using Houdini, I learned a lot about coding and linear algebra and developed a strong problem-solving toolset. I simply love the way this software works.

[InsideTheMindSpace]

I think Houdini has a bad reputation of being a lot more complicated to get started with than it really is. As someone who has used Blender, albeit many years ago, and C4D I feel way more comfortable in Houdini. You are only limited by your knowledge in Houdini and once you understand the way the software works things work a lot more logically in my opinion.

I also belive that as far as paid software goes Houdini Indie is the absolute best deal for what you get of any software. Obviously Blender being free makes it extremely valuable too. If anyone wants to try Houdini though they do have a free version with mostly rendering limitations.

Overall though your experience with the software determines what is best. Whatever you can create the best work the fastest in is what you should use.

[MrSunamo]

Blender is good software to make initial steps into the world of motion graphics and 3D, but to use Blender somewhat efficiently and effectively, the myth of the program being free needs to be dispelled, as you inevitably will need to pay for add-ons. Blender's simulation capabilities are also not that great, even just doing simple cloth sims has its setbacks. So, I made the decision to start learning Houdini and haven't regretted it in the slightest. Once you get the basic gist of it, the node-based workflow is a lot more intuitive than Blender's geometry nodes. Even the calculation time for such a simple cloth sim as a sheet falling on a static object is much faster than it is in Blender, with much more precision and accuracy. I haven't used C4D, so can't say anything about that.

[deastman]

Houdini is several orders of magnitude more powerful than the others. However, when it comes to motion graphics, speed and ease of use, along with the tight integration between C4D and After Effects make a compelling argument.

[psclip]

lets be honest, if you want to work as a motion graphic, there is no other option than cinema 4d, the tools given and the access to controls are so flexible, they are made for it, you will go crazy with blender geometry nodes to get results that can be made easily in cinema 4d, because you pay for c4d, you open up a lot of opportunities and separation for other artist to used those tools

What I hate is that in cinema 4d I have to buy the rendering engine separately, and there is no fluid sim

[vlwebd]

I use CINEMA 4D.
Why?
It's just easier for me to use. I've tried the others.
The Bottom Line: Use whatever program feels MOST comfortable for you.

[UlfricStromcloak]

Houdini blows cinema 4D & Blender out of water.

[dalalramtane-nfgl]

I love your comparisons. Keep it up man. 🎉🎉🎉

[Cyrus_the_viral]

C4D is the best 3D software so far for me. Getting to Houdini now though.

[punmije]

I feel like people into discussion which software is the best are the ones that can't properly use either one. no offense

[DestinyLiveGaming]

I honestly feel like UE5 will be in this list soon

[QaysarboyUnamasov]

I struggled for a long time with the choice of whether to choose Maya or Blender, and in the end I chose Cinema 4D

[cemgulpunk]

When Cloner-Modifier-Fields simplicity comes to Blender, it will be the end of Cinema 4D. Everything else and more can already be done in Blender. But X-particles, man, that's hard to beat. Don't tell me Houdini. Houdini is like making a 30000-part Lego over and over again.

[mrkper]

great video :D

I really REALLY want to use C4D always.
But the cost is extremely high and not worth it imho

[Teteerck]

My problem with blender is that apart from everything needing way too many extra clicks compared with C4D, blender starts to struggle a faster than the other 2 when scenes starts to get heavy, performance is not there yet.

[sebastianodibusti]

I love blender but houdini is in complete another level 👌🏻

[germanoborba]

Houdini literally is the definition of separate mens from boys

[Gasconauxolives]

A really good overall look, thanks. I'll stay with C4D for now :)

[ZeroTorySeats]

Why no mention of Maya? Where does that fit in?

[renderdcafe]

The new cinema´s particle systen is great and, as always, fit with the others tools like pyro very well and is veeeery easy to use... but the price... that is a reason to switch to other less expensive softwares.