Hi,
which program would you prefer and what are the
Cons and Pros of them?
Thanx
Shaggy
Shake and Combustion are not really "competitors" in the every sense of the word....
The main difference between the two software packages is that Shake is a node-based system where as Combustion is a layer-based system. In fact, Combustion has been often described as a blend between a layer enviroment (much like After Effects) and a node environment like Shake (or Digital Fusion.)
Shake is an awesome application, no question about that. The major strengths that I respect in Shake are 2D workgroup film compositing, generating a processing pipeline based on scripts, managing group assets, and a render engine that is very intelligent in terms of how it uses processing power. So, simply put Shake is great for film work. ( Note that Combustion does film wotk too...)
But there are other types of compositing work besides film -- For example, some jobs will have the need to create quick motion graphics using vector-based painting tools, or maybe want to use an After Effects plug-ins for a certain shot, or maybe create a SWF Flash file for a website, or perhaps work in 3D / X-Y-Z space......... You see, all THOSE functions are things that Combustion does and Shake can't. As for Plug-Ins, Shake has a growing list of third-party choices, but it still doesn't match the fact that Combustion accepts many, many AE compatible plug-ins. Further, with the Combustion v3 update, you also get a kool Warping/Morphing plug-in from Re:Flex thrown in..
Lastly is simply PRICE.. If it is YOUR money you are spending, first off the purchase price is very different: about $5000 for Shake MAC (double that if you want Linux!) vs. $1000 for Combustion (either Mac or PC.) That's a big difference !
But on the other hand, I know of many professional effects and production houses in that use BOTH Shake and Combustion, for the many reasons I've just mentioned...
Bye,
jack
denmark