I've only been modeling for a few years and started with trueSpace - a solid modeler. In the long run, I discovered that it didn't meet my needs for "organic" modeling and added AM - a spline modeler. If you want to do things with curves, you'll find a spline modeler (like AM or the free Anim8tor or the price-y Rhino) virtually irreplaceable. On the other hand, I've found that a solid with modeler with good boolean functions helped me get off the ground in the first place, and is a good place to start for most man-made straight-edged objects (like many props). But I found the single greatest problem to learning modeling, in general, was that all the software and manuals assumed the reader already knew what they were doing. Whatever modeler or modelers you settle on, find a user group, read the mail, read the tutorials, ask a lot of questions. Mark