I am interested in learning to model scenes and props on the order of Danie and Marforno's sets, furniture, and so on. What is the best program for this as far as intricate modeling and textures and easiest learning curve? 3DMax? Maya? C4D? Carrara? or are there others? Thanks, Sherrie

Also, intricate clothing for Poser people?

Wings will definitely do scenery, buildings and furniture in the DM style.  I know because I've been experimenting in exactly that direction.  DM's stuff is relatively low poly, generally simple shapes that are very well planned out; it's the texturing that's very detailed.

I haven't tried making any clothes in there, other than a couple of space helmets, but I suspect it wouldn't be the best for such things.

Try the free ones first, Wings3D, anim8tor, blender. Wings is what I learned on, couldn't stand the other 2, but it may be different for you. So, try them all and see if one clicks for you. This will also help you decide if you even like modeling, many don't.

Try all the demos of all the other modelers and see if one of those click for you. Low to mid range that are good are Hexagon, though you need to use work arounds for creating figure morphs as in all figures on the market and the UVMapper can be a bit flakey, Silo, even Shade but I have no idea what is going to happen with shade now with the selling of poser and all. There was going to be an English version 9, but who knows now.

Carrara is a good app but I think it sucks for modeling, you need to buy the pro version to get all the modeling tools and it does not come close to what can be done in Hex or any of the modeling apps out there. It's more an all round app.

The others you mention are very pricy, you can add XSI and Lightwave to that list. But if your thinking Lightwave, you may want to check out Modo. More powerful modeler but has limited animation features. Good news is, there will be a 64 bit version, it's being worked on now.

Best advice, try them all and decide which works best for you and not what anyone else tells you works for them.

To clear things up because it took longer to post than Sam. Yes you can make clothes in Wings and very good ones as a matter of fact. I will post some to show you as soon as I can find the disk they are on

All of this is done with Shade and wings. The vest is wings only. the others are just a quick curve modeling in shade for the base mesh and Wings to do all the fine work. I learned on wings so I still find some things faster in wings than other apps.

If you like wings, then Hexagon or Silo are simular. I can show you clothes done in those too. The only modeler I don't have clothes made in YET, Modo301, that's because I have not had much time to work in it right now, but from what I have learned, it is now my modeler of choice.

Click on image for full size.

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Thanks, all! I will go get Wings and try that!!

Attached Link: T59 Hex clothing tutorial

Well, OK, I learned my block modeling in Wings3D and just aply it to Hex. You can adapt my Hex clothes tutorial at PoserPros to Wings if you want. The tools are a bit differentbut simular. It will give you some block modeling info if nothing else.

Since you've already got Max 7, you should stick with that!  You'll never get good at what you wish to do if you constantly chase after will-o-the-whisps.  No, program does modeling better than Max.  No program does animation better than Maya.  All the other progarams will do the job, but you'll have to work hader to achieve the same results.
DPH

Obviously you know something the rest of us don't. There was no mention of Max 7 ownership.

I wouldn't believe that Max is the best modeler anymore. Modo seems to be the choice of a lot of Max and Maya users from what I have read in different forums. Also include some major animation studios have Modo as one of thier tools. V4 was modeled in it too.

There is also the fact that some people don't get along with one make of software and finds another is thier soul mate. That is why there are so many different apps. Not everyone will like the same thing as you. So it is very important to try all free and demos to find the one made for you.

Now I have a few different modeling apps, but each one seems to do something better than the others, except Modo seems to do it all, just a learning curve to get past. I am also quite good at using them , so it's not a bad thing to have.

I think it's a matter of taste-I like the hex interface, and learned on it. My husband bought me c4d for my birthday-but I have yet to use it for anything but bodypaint. Why? Because I LIKE hex-not that c4d isn't probably "better", I just am not comfortable there......

edited because it was birthday-silly hollidays run together

Hi Drifterlee

I can't recommend a particular software,  I feel that should be left up to you and what you are comfortable with.  I would begin though by asking myself what kind of user interface I would like,  icon buttons,  or text buttons.  Then,  what all would I be using the software for.  Next,  what is my price range.

If you're interested here's a few tips.  Set up hot keys.  Keyboard shortcuts are a time saver.  Back up your work and program frequently,  on an external hard drive.

That being said,  here's two great links with a wealth of information on 3d modeling in general.

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showforum.php?forum_id=12402

http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=25

Happy New Year

Pat

P.S.  I hope you have as much enjoyment 3d modeling as I've had.

it's not what the 'best' is, it's what's best for you. I know someone who's working on armor for Apollo in Wings (stop by the forum here for questions answered, tutorials offered, and links to the home site..;)

If you have Max, you can do most anything the others can. Go with what you know, but sometimes you can use other programs to get specifics done (I use Blander just to make greebles, etc..;)

Personally, for a lower end app that does a lot I'm totally in Love with Hexagon. Of the Big boys I use Max, mostly because I get it free, throught work.
If I didn't have Max, I'd be looking in Cinema or Maya. 

HOWEVER, there's a TON of things that can be done with lower end apps. 
At the moment, the only things I use Max for are it's cloth simulations, which are a LOT more robust then poser. I create some noce flowy wrinkly morphs there, touch them up in Hex, and make clothing FBM's out of them.  Hexagon has awesome UV mapping tools, especially for organics and clothing.

For advanced texturing I use Deep Paint 3D and Zbrush. Zbrush is also handy for morphing.

You can get a LOT of really neat things done with just Hexagon and Zbrush combo.

Then you'll need some poser rigging tools.

I started a Q nad A thread about something similar to this over in the 3D modelling Forums at the request of few people, please feel free to join in :)
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2724368