Hasta La Motion!

thanks in advance

While comparing 3D programs the following question came up:
which 3D program do you think is the best renderer?

I’m looking at Softimage XSI, but I don’t know or it is the right choice.
Does anyone know any better render programs, or perhaps some render-only programs?

Thanks 😀

Thank you for reading my first post. I am hoping to get some tips and advice from more experienced people on this project that I’m undertaking, in hopes that I won’t feel so overwhelmed 😮

I am beginning a new short film (independent, low budget) that I am shooting and acting in in entirely in front of a green screen. In addition, I have several scenes where I will be "headless" and will need to key it out. I am not replacing the head with anything. In fact there are scenes where I would like to appear as if I’m physically removing it and setting it down, or carrying it. thus the desired end result after keying is just a body, no head, no background. I will be shooting with either a dvx100 or I could possibly borrow an hvx200a. For compositing i have after effects 6.5 (which i’m still learning).

So far i only know as much as that I will need to purchase a chromakey hood- this one is really the only one I’ve been able to find:
http://store02.prostores.com/servlet…d–dsh-/Detail
(i already worry that this particular green is not exactly the same as my green screen, and I’m not sure how much suffering and time that will cost me in post.)

The first question I have is is there a special lighting technique (beyond the usual for lighting subject and greenscreen) that I should be aware of for this special situation where I want to be a) removing the head along with the backdrop but also b) preserving the body
and
for the special scenes in which i would like the body or another character to be holding the head, what is the best way to go about making them look like, well, they are holding it? Gesturing as if they holding it, and then motion tracking the head to their hand?

I can’t express how much I would appreciate any advice, cautionary tales, suggested tutorials, or instructions.

In general I suppose i’m also asking is how doable is this effect for someone not working within a studio?. Am I nuts to try it? Will it be ridiculously time consuming?

Again, thanks for reading and double thanks in advance for any help!!!!

I was really good with AR3, and after I swap MAX, I noticed that I have to learn another renderer ^^

Ok. I need a good renderer which is fast and capable of rendering sitni sati plugins (because as I know, vray is not..)

Waiting for your suggestions..

I thought there could be some training covering up from the basics to the expert and more detailed settings of fumeFX.

Thank you.