SF Program

I know that this isn't RCT related but what program does six flags and other parks use for there coasters. For example to SFOG Goliath, SFGadv El toro or Holiday words Voyage Videos?

I'm guessing something along the lines of No Limits, or the program that Keith 'Badnitrus' uses.

Usually, either 3DMax or... I think it's called Maya. Both programs are highly sophisticated 3D modeling programs. Here, there is a little FAQ on Badnitrus' site, http://badnitrus.coasterbuzz.com/. Click on FAQ, it answers some questions.

The voyage videos were made using a Customized version of NoLimits, and was made by the Gravity Group.

The Goliath and El Toro videos were both made by Keith of badnitrus and the last I knew he used 3D Studio Max.

No limits can be picked up from www.nolimitscoaster.com/ for a meere $29.99, and you'll be able to create decent coaster in very little time. Of course they only offer a limited number of coaster trains. Don't worry they have most of the major ones.

3d studio max, on the other hand will cost you around $3500.00 (yes thats thirty five hundred dollars) and have a very steep learning curve. You won't be able to load this program up and expect to make what ever you want right away. If you are interested in 3D modelling, a much more reasonably priced program is Blender www.blender.org. It's free open source software, and it's just about as powerful as 3DS Max or Maya(which are industry standards). Once again programs like this aren't dedicated to the task of creating rollercoasters. They are all purpose 3d modelers, so you could make what ever you want with them. Since they're so powerful it will take a bit of time to learn.

Like Danimal said, Keith uses 3D Max and it really does cost that much...if you are a student in college you can get 3D Max 7 (the newest one) for about $580 which is a steal for the program. For that price you get the educational version program which can't be used for commercial purposes.

It is hard to learn at first, and takes some time to get really good at it...Keith does extremenly good work with it, as his stuff is some of the best I've seen with the program. Still can't figure out how he does it. Although I do believe 3D Max is totally worth it, I really like it, and have been using it for about 5 years now, and the possibilities are endless for it.

Oh well, i already have no limits. I was just wondering what they used. Darn it $3,500 would probably be around $4,500+ Canadian Dollars.

I'm just curious, since Keith makes most of the 3D videos for park advertising and what not, I was just curious, do these parks pay him well for his service? It seems to me that they would pay him seeing as how he does most, if not all of the videos I have seen for new rollercoasters.

Would you spend countless hours working on videos, have your own company, and then work for free?

Didn't think so.

I was curious as to how much he makes for these videos. No doubt he's getting paid, I was wondering how much.

I have no idea how much he does make, but I would venture to say thats its a pretty good amount. I say that just considering how much time, and how difficult it is to make models as complete as his are. Not to mention getting the speed and things right in the animation/audio aspect of it. I would say he works on these for a long time before their done.

I don't know how much Keith charges, but Gator still claims it isn't enough.

After looking at the videos, I'd probably agree.