Attached Link: http://www3.telus.net/public/fvdhoorn/

k, so i have been using poser for a while now and would really love to start making some of my own poseable clothing, you know, dresses, costumes, that sort of thing. problem is that i have no idea where to start so my question would be which programs do you use for that kind of 3d modeling, which ones are easiest to use, which give the best results, the usual. i use poser4 if that makes a difference. cheers, emilie

Attached Link: http://www.wings3d.com

I'd recommend Wings3d wholeheartedly. In my opinion it's the easiest modelling app to learn and one of the best. As far as results go, that's down to the artist, all modellers are capable of great results! - Baz

Wings is a great program, and coming to it fresh, with no previous 3D modeling experience may make it easier for you to follow, Elv. However, as a person who's been making NURBS models for awhile now in the 4 window and laid out command setup of Rhino, I find programs with a setup similar to Wings and Silo (another subdivison modeler), difficult to jump into. The programs I find I took to quickly outside of Rhino were LightWave and 3D Studio Max, though they are expensive. Many people use Rhino to make stuff for Poser but the price and somewhat lacking polygon based tools may hinder your decision to buy it. My reccomendation to you would be to try out a few demos of the popular programs in your price range and see which you find more appealing. As BazC has stated, all modeling programs are capable of great results in the right hands.

OK I'm a little biased! ;o), Teyon's right try out everything you can get your hands on and see what suits you! :o)

Yep, try everything you can. Some programs are about as free as you can get. I've downloaded Anim8or, Wings 3D, and Blender. Any others? I'm still learning, and you really need to read the manuals. Then I heard about NURBS, and get even more puzzled. Anybody care to try grouping the various programs according to how they lead you to think about a model?

oh lawd..there's dozens..try all the ones up in the masthead (title) up above, just to get started. I've got a list somewhere with about 50, but after the first half-dozen, yer eyes glaze over. Look at your local bookstore for things like Cinema 4, Carrara, Amapi 5.15, even Turbocad, for all sorts of modellers. They're usually found in magazines like 3d World, Computer Art, Digit, etc. Drop by the forums of the ones you're trying out for tips and hints, we're usually helpful..;)

If you have not been using a modeling program before, it takes time in any to become proficent... Just knowing what commands do what takes awhile, and to begin thinking in modeling terms of breaking down an object to component parts... that comes faster to some then others. Recommend finding one that makes sense to you, as far as layout and workflow, spend time playing and doing tuts, to get a hang of it... AND have no doubt eventually you will find limitations with any you choose and note that another program has that additional extra in certain areas you want. Once you get the hang of one, the next becomes easier. Demos will help get you started in choosing. Hitting the forums here and at other sites, might give an additional understanding of what other users like and dislike about one, as well as what level of peer support you can obtain. If you have the money. The biggies like Maya, Lightwave, and Max do more then just model... Texturing, animation, etc... Just some thoughts.

PhilC does rather a lot of clothes, as you probably know. He uses Truespace mostly. Caligari - the makers of Truespace have put Version 4 on sale for $79. (www.caligari.com) Give it a try.

sweet, thanks so much all you guys, i went and downloaded a demo of rhino...am still very confused but maybe some day...

Think that playing with the commands one rail sweeps, two rail sweeps. lofts, and surface from edge curves, will get you a long ways in this program. Need objto3dm program - a freebie, link at Rhnio3dsite or can do a search at the Rhino forum for the URL to bring poser obj's into the program. Contour command is great for working on making clothes and other such accouterments... If you have questions about the program, post in the Rhino forum here and should get a speedy response. Think you will like nurb modeling once you start getting a little practice, but some prefer poly modeling instead... different way of thinking in doing each.
Wish you the best in your modeling.

The Rhino Forum at RuntimeDNA has some great tutorials for poser clothing.