Autodesk appoints new 3DS Max Product Manager: Eddie Perlberg

oh boy! do i have questions for him.

Well, he may have an management occupation now and before with CAD, but the fact that he is/was an Animator and Motion Graphics artist is a good one. Every motion graphics artists loves new techs, ease of use and stability. 🙂

Yeah … you’re right Adam. It’s kind of strange since (it appears), this news release was provided by AD.

When we were getting our hopes back with Tom Hudson on the play …

Wait and see I guess.

Oh … sorry about that Pablo. My bad!

oh I can’t help myself –
“I, for one, welcome our new threede’smaxxian overlords”

Based on Frank, you better ask your questions fast as he will only be in the role about four days.

I am predicting some kind of announcement about a bew commitment to open communication, etc.

“No wonder Max keeps losing its focus.”

It’s never had focus 🙂

Greetings and thanks for all of your comments.

I was anticipating your concerns when I took the position and I’m glad I have forums like this to help answer your questions. Being that this is my 11th day in the position, teams are working on setting up and migrating typical forms of communication for me. So watch for a new blog on the area, twitter accounts, etc. I was hoping they would be in place for my official announcements, but the gunslinger came first. More about that in a moment.

I was hired to be a part of and have spent the last 6 years in the Media and Entertainment division here at Autodesk. I have met you at GDC, I’ve stood side by side with you at NAB where we froze waiting for Motocross displays out in the parking lot and I’ve presented at Siggraph as well, always taking the time to talk with you about this passion we share called 3ds Max.

It’s true that a majority of my experience focuses on design work and design animation, but, like many of you I have worked on a number of different projects, spending many days, nights and weekends creating elements for everything from Architectural walkthru’s, visibility drive-by’s, motion graphic displays for the local sports teams or characters and levels for a small faith based video game. It’s important that you understand that I represent all of us, not just one of you. And, it’s more than just me, this is creation of hundreds of dedicated people.

Yes, I’m a design viz guy. I am proud of that. How would it be different if I had come from Games? If I was a former vfx artist, would that change anything? I have been working with this software since 3d Studio rel 4. I purchased a personal copy for 3ds Max 2.5 and upgraded it when I could. When I got a tattoo a number of years ago, it included the 3ds Max logo. Yes, I love it that much.

I understand your frustration and skepticism about the communication you’ve received. Until 2 months ago, I shared it. I heard about the struggles and barriers that were put into place for past development teams. But, if I can leave you with anything in this comment, it is that things are DIFFERENT now. From top down, teams are working together to make you more successful with our products. All of our products.

Also, you are being heard. This new attitude is giving you a new voice, a louder voice. Last week we conducted a Gunslinger event where we invited customers from ALL industries to help guide the future direction. From there we are conducting focus groups and watching Uservoice more than ever before to hear you.

There is a lot of negativity surrounding 3ds Max, both real and imaginary. I hope you will give me a chance to change that. I hope that your comments above do not reflect a perception that cannot be turned around. In my very short time in this position, I have seen a long and bright future for 3ds Max. It was the driving force in accepting the position. I am excited to know that many of the same people that helped other softwares in M&E at Autodesk are now focused on 3ds Max and, most importantly, I am excited to be a part of an incredible team of designers and developers working to bring you a better experience. Of course, it will be up to us to prove it to you in the near and more importantly extended future.

To that end, I am truly excited by the team that has been assembled including Tom Hudson. To have one of the founders a part of the team is an honor and a privilege.

One of the things about being a part of the 3ds Max family is that it’s not as easy as other families. There are a lot of us with very diverse needs. But, I’ve always believed that we share more than we differ. I still am amazed at what I see this family produce. Together we should celebrate when our 3ds Max brothers and sisters create an amazing design animation, or a great video game or a vfx shot blows your mind. I still get chills when I see it.

Here’s the truth, there are games companies that are looking into design viz workflows to build better levels, there are design viz firms looking into game tech for creating interactive presentations and the first question I was asked about Populate when it came out was how do I leverage it in for a shot I’m working on? It’s that sharing that makes us stronger together and makes us one of the most unique and resilient families in these industries. We support each other and I am looking forward to supporting you.

It’s always nice when we see a “face” here, helping us believe in 3ds Max. Of course that people are pessimist, but I think you took the first step in making things work by showing up.

We’ll all wait and see, but things (in my point of view) are looking brighter and better.

Welcome and good luck Eddie.

word, Eddie. great to have you at the helm. i’ve always enjoyed working (and playing hard!) with you in the 6+ years we’ve both been at Autodesk, and i plan on a lot more of both – i just wont post as many pictures from nights out in vegas now that you’re a big deal.

//garyD

“When I got a tattoo a number of years ago, it included the 3ds Max logo.”

Man, how pissed were YOU when they changed the logo for 2014? 🙂

Joking aside, I appreciate you coming on here and acknowledging 3dsmax’s problems instead of just the usual “Oh my gosh guys I’m so excited about the future of 3dsmax©®™” corpologue we’ve been accustomed to hearing, and I really do wish you good luck in what seems to be an ever challenging task.

I’ve known Eddie for quite a few years, and had the opportunity to participate in the Gunslinger and meet the management, designers and developers, spending several quality days working with them and all of the other professionals they brought in. Every industry was represented.

There is definitely a new energy, and a new direction, in M&E and Max in particular. I was very impressed with the team; they are a sharp group of professionals with a deep understanding of Max and the industry, with lots of good ideas. We are in good hands.

– Jenni

I wish the best for you,your team and our software ! 🙂

Maya = Characters – VFX
3dsmax = Enviromental – digital sets and lighting
Sound like a plan to me! and with a little more dev they could even build a katana like capabilites into max too, that would make the Entertainment Creation Suite package very complete and attractive indeed

I Totally agree with you Maziar :O)
I was merely pointing out each app strengths related to each other not what can be done or not be done between the both of them

i was and thinking about what Eddie said and as somebody looking into justify the cost of the entertainment suite with both maya and max included (softimage)

“Here’s the truth, there are games companies that are looking into design viz workflows to build better levels, there are design viz firms looking into game tech for creating interactive presentations..”

Best of luck to the new PM, but, sorry I’d have to wait and see.

To be honest, they lost me at punative upgrades initially, and capped it by the announcement that you won’t be able to upgrade after Feb 2015.

My original intention had been to wait a few releases to make that 70% upgrade cost worthwhile, now it would cost me way more than I’d benefit from the feature set introduced in 2014 and 2015 (unless Autodesk offer something phenomenal in 2015, which is pretty unlikely)

It’s often been said that companies are only interested in new customers, and changing product managers (again) doesn’t really fix the problems I think Max has.

Change the way Autodesk develops Max, and I’d be interested.

But that will never happen.