Hello.
I was wondering if perhaps some folks in this forum can recommend a 3d modeling tool that is well suited to the creation of creatures.  At the present time, I am learning Cinema 4D R10.  I have seen some tutorials on making people with C4D but they seem like a lot of work so I'm not sure if Cinema 4D is best at this particular task.  I am happy with Cinema 4D in regards to making man made things like weapons, tools, buildings, vehicles, etc.  But making a living creature appears to be a whole different ball of wax.  

I also use Vue Infinite for creating worlds and other such environments and that tool is super for that kind of task.  I also use Poser and that tool actually works out quite well for many of my character needs so long as my expectations are within what is available for pre-created poser characters and their morphing abilities.

But then there is the issue of making creatures or monsters.  I have only been able to create such things in a very limited manner with the tools I have, maybe its just a matter of finding the right training materials or maybe I should add another tool like Zbrush to the mix with their zsphere creation abilities, I don't know.

The area of 3d modeling is so vast that I can't help but wonder if someone knows of other tools that can make creature creation.  Animation is not an important thing for me right now.  I mainly need a tool that will allow me to create a 3D creature or monster for still images.  I need them to be 3D so I can create multiple pictures at different angles and in different settings, as well as pose them, to follow story lines for books.  Tools like 3Ds Max or Maya are out of the question due to cost and most of all the learning curve with those tools.  

Anything you can suggest or point out that I can check out are most appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

Attached Link: zBrush from Pixologic

ZBrush will be fine for a quick fix, high res model and as long as you stay in ZBrush, you can pose your model with little worry. The minute you try to take that high res mesh into another application...your PC just may up and die.   That is, unless your app can read displacement maps, in which case you'd only have to export the low res mesh with the displacement map from ZBrush.  Keep in mind though that you'll still need to learn the fundamentals of modeling a human and/or creature somewhere down the line. Programs like ZBrush simply make it easier for you to get the concept out but some knowledge of organic modeling will be needed for cleanup of the final mesh I think.

With that in mind, if you're looking for a pure modeler that can do displacement painting too but won't break your bank, try Silo, Blender,  or if you don't mind the stress with exporting maps - Hexagon.

Thanks Hoofdcommissaris.  I forgot to mention that whatever the tool may be it must export the creature in a format I can import into Vue Infinite.  The three 3d formats I've found to work well for me in Vue Infinite for importing objects from other applications are as follows:

.psz3 (Poser)
.dxf
.obj

There are other import formats Vue accepts but I have not tried them like from Lightwave and 3Ds Max.  Vue is the final destination in many of my 3d projects where I import Poser characters, prop objects from vendors, or personally created items in Cinema 4D such as props like furnture, equipment, etc.  If I do use another tool to create creatures then I need to be able to import the output into Vue for the final scene or into Cinema 4D (which takes .obj) where maybe it needs some adjustment.

Thanks Teyon. 
I was thinking of picking up the following books for general 3D modeling information on people and animals.  What do you think:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584502851/ref=wl_itt_dp/002-2568280-1711215?ie=UTF8&coliid=I27IQ4DJ12YKIB&colid=2GE9RXJZFRL8B

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584502096/ref=wl_itt_dp/002-2568280-1711215?ie=UTF8&coliid=I247O2Q1O73M24&colid=2GE9RXJZFRL8B

Perhaps you can recommend some others that may be useful.

Ken Brilliant's book is pretty good and I have a few friends who swear by the Modeling Digital Dinosaurs so they're both very good choices.  Things to keep in mind:

Box modeling, regardless of the polygon modeler you choose, is pretty much the same across the board and by far the easiest modeling method to learn.  These books will probably cover both box modeling and other forms of model making. In addition to books (or instead if you're a quick learner) there are also tons of box modeling tutorials available on the internet in a wide variety of languages. These can be used in conjunction with or instead of a dedicated modeling book.

One location with a good selection of tutorials is http://www.3dtotal.com  So give them a look over before and after buying one of those books. I say before and after because seeing the tutorials there before will give you an idea of what to expect in the books, while doing so after will allow you to apply what you've learned in the books to situations that the books have nothing to do with.