I've been around these websites featuring 3D and digital pics. I've been using Adobe range for my pic editing. Now I wanna try out 3D graphics and I'm confused!!! There are so many good softwares such as 3D Max, Maya etc... Gimme good comparisons between softwares so that I could decide which one to use.... Recommendations are welcome Thanks anyway!

It all depends on what you want to do and your time restraints do you have time to learn the software? Larger learning curves ( take time to learn) 3d Max and Maya and lightwave medium learning curve Poser 5 Rhino Lower learning curves bryce poser 4 what are you going to do with the software? what do you want it to do? Do you want it fast and easy or take days to do what you want to do? S it all depends on what your needs are.

3DMax is the industry standard now, trust me, if you learn the in's and out's of max, everything else will fall into place...Maya and Max are not far apart, but studio's still cater more towards Max which is moving UP incredibly faster. It's because Max has so mucho versatility and is compatible with so much else out there. Mind you, there is also Lightwave and then Rhino and although there is nothing wrong with these cool apps, why not start out with the max??? This is speaking mostly 3D "creating" by "building" your very 'own' and/or "animating" your very own ORIGINAL stuff. ***If you want to make 3D pictures or do mucho quality artwork/postwork and photo style masterpiecs, you should be smooching heavily with Adobe Photoshop 5.5, 6, or 7 which cannot be beaten at this time in the 2D or 3D world. If your into dishing out awsome 3D pics and even making derivative works from already existing creations which appears to be welcome and allowed in these huge online worlds of 3D fun, then you really should be looking into Poser 3, 4, and maybe 5 depending on further EULA and bug indifferences; you really don't need a lot more other than something to aid you in making cool realistic textures so you too can have your own dazzling style and have some money set aside so you can buy all the obj. files you'll need to make your very own marketable product over time; although this can be done with just poser and a cool "gotta have" idea. Cheers ;-)

How much money do you have to spend? Bryce5 $300 Poser4 $220 Rhino $900-$1,200 Lightwave $1,600 3DSMax $3,500 Maya $2,000-$7,000

Try some free or inexpensive 3d modellers first. Some have really nice features, without the feeling of being overwhelmed with too many features. At the top of the Modelling Forum is a list of programs.

The person never asked how much, it is a "generic" question and I gave an honest answer according to the industry/career standards presented to us in a top notch digital graphics school...this is what is trendy and used by the big banana's... Hey look...get yourself a course, even just one..become a student..get big discounts on software of the finest...besides, you practically need school just to learn stuff like 3DMax anyways....anyone that learns this baby on their own I really need to kiss their feet for their awsome brains and intuitive skills and loooong time they have to sacrifice for this perplexity of self teaching!! Don't get me wrong, it's easy to use, it's just that there is SO MUCH everywhere to use and to remember and it can be an overwhelming new world once your in max...darn modifiers alone can make your hair all funny...

plus there's trueSpace 4 5 and 6... some good offers over at Caligari for them.. plus it's a good medium range modeler / renderer and easy to get going on... Kai

The person never asked what the industry standard is, it is a "generic" question and I gave an honest answer according to what someone is going to eventually do instead of stealing the software. California want ads for 3Dartist seem to always want you to know 3DStudio Max...and be using Maya, more and more often. (it seems) Truespace 6 can be 50% off right now if you own one of it's rival's software. (weird, but true). ($300 instead of $600). It's a great program for the price. But, a great thiing is Maya has a free edition of its software called PLE (Personal Learning Edition) It is a GREAT way to tinker around with a big boys program. Maybe some of the other companys have similar try out's. Research. Demo's. Student Discounts. Amazon.com=cheap 3d books, etc. AgentSmith

Yes...great additional info AgentSmith...they don't call you agent for nothing huh...;-)

Ok Pete here's my feet ;o) Just kidding but I learned max without one class. It's really not that hard. Just getting used to the interface is really the hardest part. Don't forget to mention that the plugins themselves can put a big dent in your savings. Some are quite expensive. you can't model in poser or bryce. Well bryce sort of. I've seen equally nice work from all of the big contenders but max just seemed the most versital.

kiss....kiss...kiss....smeck...smoochles...blech....I hate the taste of feet.... ...(damn...I hate my big yap at times...)

One class? I find every stupid excuse not to really learn a traditional 3D program...(it's so safe in my little Bryce world).

Thanks so much for the replies...I could follow the books, online tutorials and everything, no hassle for me. It seems to me that priority has been given to those who actually uses Maya and 3D Max but no offence to those who don't use it. It is just an impression so would it be best if I just start with Maya or 3D Max and patch things up by using other softwares such as Lightwave, poser and bryce? Or should it be the other way round which I could start with littlest softwares then move on to Maya and 3D Max. I am actually an architecture student. Meanwhile I am doing some graphics and right now I'm venturing into the 3D making realm. Just to keep up with the market needs, I have to know these technologies. I am not staying in America and I'm ahead of my peers in terms of technology so I which to have u guys' -experts- guidance to tell me which software deliver best for my needs. Money is no problem with me. I could actually copy my friend's CD but it's illegal!!! I know it. Thanks again. :)

Oh yeah, BTW I'm using a laptop...P3-M 1.2MHz, 256 RAM, 30Gb Harddrive. I might change to using a desktop instead. so what would u say about the best requirement to support 3D graphics such as Maya, 3D Max, Poser, Bryce etc...

[I could actually copy my friend's CD but it's illegal!!! I know it.].... First rule of thumb for 3D online and credibility...never...never...NEVER say such things...!! A big nono...not allowed...so what if your computer store sells CD burners...VCR's have record buttons...but your NOT supposed to USE em!! NO!!....not allowed!!...no such animal!! DO NOT TOUCH SUCH EVIL!!! Don't even go there...at all!! You will end up in HELL!!! Those are temptations of pure blasphemy... As for what you should use first....learn first...it depends...you could start by poser and bryce and learn the basics and have fun with all the add-ons and basics and enjoy the 3D world and slowly filter in and then get into your own fascinations with high end modelling....or you can start BIG right away...and not necessarily be influenced by what is already mainstream...and begin your own fascimlie's...from scratch...both have their advantages and disadvantages...weigh them well...

Architecture student? Hmm...

Go to CGArchitect they have some reviews of 3d software for architects (Autodesk VIZ, FormZ, ...) and some forums too.