plumrd?

But yes, I always knew I would be getting Bryce 7 for the scenes and backgrounds I would like to make. (I would like to try my hand at those shiny glass textures)

As for which modeler, that is a little trickier but I've narrowed it down to two final contenders: Moi 3D and Zbrush. Since I've recently had to format (because of Bryce arguing with my PC) I haven't yet tried the demos for either of these programs, but the screens shots and the demo videos I've seen look very promising.

I gave modo 401 a try with the demo, but I was greatly restricted with the time I could spend in the program. Their demo last only for 15 days and I only had 7 days with it, and in the middle of installing everything else on my new PC, I didn't spend as much time getting to know modo 401 as I would like.

But in the end, I like the idea of both modeling and sculpting, so I will probably end up getting both Zbrush as well as what modeler I choose, which at this point, looks like Moi 3D.

As soon as I have something to show, I will most certainly be sharing it with you all.

But I will probably be showing it even sooner, and in segments if I have any trouble with getting the effects I want and need some advice on the settings.

I'm really looking forward to finally getting my feet wet with 3D!

This is GREAT news!!!!

I really had my heart set on making an image like this, being able to replicate the basic idea, I'm so pleased to know that Bryce will be able to do it without any extras. (I'm still a little miffed with Bryce- I had to format my brand new PC because Bryce had an argument with something Alienware put on my machine) but if I can make this image, I will forgive it.

I have taken your advice and I've checked out the tutorial section - ignored the errors that are being generated by a script - and I have a few things to be getting on with, to hopefully learn a bit more about Bryce and how to get the results I want.

If I have any questions, or problems, this forum will be my next stop after good ol' trusty Google.

What is this Cumulus plug-in you speak of? I do have Photoshop (Photoshop CS3 to be exact) and I'm always interested in getting handy plug-ins. Who would I have to message to find out if it is still available?

Thanks so much for the speedy reply guys. It is greatly appreciated.

Hey, thanks for that suggestion. I haven't heard of this program before, so I will definitely download the trial and give it a try (I particularly like the pricetag attached to it!)

Yes, I agree with you there. The UI is an important part of the decision. If I comes to grips with the UI, then what method the program uses for modelling is ultimately secondary IMO since I have no experience with modelling and have no preferred method.

I'm completely new to modelling, so I'm not good at any of these methods. I'll be learning from scratch how to model, regardless of what program I ultimately choose.

And using a sculpting program like Zbrush, is that an effective way of creating cars (the cars I want to do they aren't the hyper-detailed realistic ones... just the shape of the shell and maybe some detail with the lights and wheels... all external details) or modelling a serpent's head for the handle of a cane.

Those are the kinds of things I'm interested in doing. Maybe a little monster creation as well.

The tutorials I have seen with Carrara and Hexagon modelling a car look pretty straight forward to me. Still looking into programs, I haven't completely dismissed Carrara... and I have found another program to further complicate the issue - Zbrush.

Has anyone had any experiences with Zbrush?

Yes, you're right- any program that is jam packed with tools and features comes with a huge learning curve. 

Thanks so much for everyone's input- It looks like I'll be getting modo at some stage (There are other more pressing programs I need first)

I'm leaning towards modo, but I will see what happens when I play around in the demo :) 

Thankyou so much for such an informative reply! :)

I don't know if box/poly or "nurbs" will be more my thing, but whatever program I pick, I will learn whichever approach it uses without much comparison to the other kind. I haven't done any 3D modelling before so this is all very new and there is no point of reference for comparison.

Rhino 3D isn't an option because I don't have a whole lot of options for buying it in Australia, and when I do, the price is more than I'm willing to spend, particularly if Rhino is just going to be the modeller.

C4D and Maya are the same- far too expensive. And someone said in a previous post that C4D is aimed at pros.

I'm thinking Modo or Silo. I have downloaded the trials for Silo and Modo, and I'll be grabbing Carrara just to have a play around and see what program does what. I might not even a secondary program, depending how I like Carrara. I don't mind slow and tedious when I'm making something- with a hobby, there are no deadlines.

Hahahaha! I hadn't heard that saying before, tantarus, but it is so very true. You try to take shortcuts with buying cheaper anything, you end up paying more in the long run because the cheap stuff always needs replacing.

Compared to C4D, everything is cheap. But the results I have seen of what people have made in C4D, it's definitely very impressive with what it can do. (I just don't want to be impressive enough to part with $3500 when I can use a slightly cheaper option)

 Hey, thanks for that! If the code works, I'll be really very happy- $100 bucks I can be spending on other things for my new desktop (the beast of a machine has crippled me financially)

I was looking at the Modo gallery just now.... the cars are all very impressive with the sheen of the metal. That realistic gloss is just the look I'm after.

Mmm, so Hexagon 2 isn't looking so crash-hot with these user comments. And Carrara 8 Pro too? 
Looking into Rhino and Modo, I think Modo will be the one I will seriously look into purchasing because it's the only one I can order online without a great deal of hassle. Rhino doesn't seem to recognise Australian customers for online ordering.

Does anyone have anything they have modeled and rendered in Modo, just to give me an example of what the program is capable of? Looking at the gallery for Carrara 8 Pro and even Hexagon 2 looked very impressive (but being the gallery on the website, of course they would want the images to look impressive)

One of the greatest considerations I need to make is that whichever modelling and rendering program I use, has sufficient lighting so the car looks like a car should with some gloss to the shell. Of course I could be adding some of the lighting with post-work in Photoshop, but to me, a 3D modeling and rendering program that has the end result look flat and lifeless isn't exactly what I'm after.

Ooo, speedy reply (No surprise really considering we're nearly neighbours!)

Some further Google searches has heralded another result that Hexagon 2 from DAZ 3D will also let me model cars. So there are some cheaper options around that I'm pretty pleased with.

I'd like to hear from people who use Carrara or Hexagon 2 to hear what they think of the programs. A run in the demos of each program will help me decide, but I like hearing other people's experience with the programs and the results they get.