New computer and 3d program

[whitekraken]

I need a new computer. All I currently need it to do is to run my adobe programs (After Effects CS3, Premiere CS3, Photoshop CS3, etc.) well. My current computer can run them but they can be a little slow. However, I'll probably be getting an HD camcorder soon. So, I think I might need an upgrade. Also, I'm considering getting a 3d program (modeling, animation, whatever you want to call it ex: cinema 4d, Maya, etc.). What would you recommend? I'm a beginner so I want something easy to use(relatively speaking, I know of a steep learning curve), but I also want something powerful so it is capable of greater tasks once I learn the basics. What I want to do is incorporation with my movies. I don't really want it to be creating cartoony animated stuff, I want to create special effects that I composite in after effects. Price isn't an issue since I'll be buying a student edition (can't image making commercials any time soon). For the computer, I would like to keep the budget under $2000. Alienware (a gaming computer) seems to be good since they are high performance, but my current laptop is alienware and I feel like I could have got more for less if I just bought Dell or HP. So, what software would you recommend and what computer would you recommend (or just necessary specifications)? Also, would it be possible to do my work on my new computer and render it on my laptop (I've heard it can take quite awhile)?

[Sacman]

I have an older model Dell Inspiron 6000. As in about 6 years old. I opted for a 128MB video card so it is slightly better than your standard off the shelf laptop. I have the Ram maxed at 2Gig.

I have XSI, Real Flow, Vue, and Zbrush. All of these programs will run on my laptop. I have even played both WOW and Warhammer online. I have just learned that my video card will not support the graphics necessary for Modern Warfare 2 but for the most part it does everything I need and more.

I also use AE CS3 with no real issues but I have never worked with HD footage.

There are some areas in each of those prgrams where my laptop will bog down. This is a factor of both the processor and the video card.

A gaming PC is going to put you in the right direction for video power as well as processor speed but you don't have to go that far. You can get a good off the shelf dell and buy a high end video card for probably less expense in the long run. If I had the money I would probably opt for an alienware.

If you are willing to purchase 3D software, I would strongly urge Maya or 3DS. I personally don't like either of those packages but they are the industry standard. I am much more fond of XSI. There is always Blender which is free and has amazing abilities for freeware.

If you have the software installed on both machines then yes you can render on a seperate computer to free up your main machine. The best way to do this is to have a common networked drive to work from. Rendering is indeed a very long process depending on what you are looking for and can take anywhere from less than a minute per frame to much more than an hour per frame.

Hope that helps.

[crossplatform]

Well I don't really have a recommendation for a computer, however for the 3D software side there are a couple of options:
1) Blender (have it, but haven't used it for anything yet)
2) Carrara 7 Pro, this is what I use as it reads match move files from matcmover4 from realviz.com (now integrated into maya from autodesk) and syntheyes from ssontech.com (I use both carrara pro 7 (will render out to render nodes on same network (best to have two systems of the same speed otherwise the faster one will be waiting for the other one to finish slowing the process)) and syntheyes (syntheyes also exports tracking data to After Effects))
*You can get both syntheyes and carrara for less than the cost of Maya.
3) Maya and others (haven't used because of price)

4) Get a computer with multiple cores (at least 4 mine has 8 cores)