The best 3D modeling kit/program?

Question

I recently asked about a career in model making and was greeted with information and useful guidelines but after little research it was becoming obvious the type of modeling i was after was as with most things being replaced by computers, now i've dabbled in a program called Maya incredibly briefly but i believe i was on the right track.

what i want to do is commit to a program like that, learn how to use it to the best of my abilities and have it as a developing skill for a career hopefully.. i just want to know what program should i start with or which would it be worth my while getting used to, in short: what one will i be using 10 years down the line if I'm involved in a career to do with 3D model building etc. ?

Answer 1

Depends on what type of modeling you want to do.

Autodesk probably has the best products.

Maya is good for environment/character modeling.. Though it used for Design.

3D Max is the same, though is leaning a little more towards design these days (archetiture..)

Both have its pros and cons.. personally, I'm a maya person. They do full animation/rendering/special effects.

Then there is StudioTools. Which is the ultimate modeling program, but it really.. just a modeling program. It is very precious. This is used mainly in car companies, industrial design etc. It has limited animation funcationality...

Answer 2

i use maya and trust me there's no other program like it. to start off you could use a program called 3ds max here's what i did with it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJUUpAVdc... , good luck.

Answer 3

I think maya or 3d max is one of the top choice, I recommend 3d max bcoz it has lot to offer.      

Answer 4

I would use Maya then, its expensive though : \

Answer 5

"Best" is a subjective term.  What qualifies as best?  Cost, usability, support??

To me, Blender (http://www.blender.org/ ) is the best, it is open source, costs you nothing, has the most amazing support, step by step tutorials and works perfectly.

Then there are paid ones, like Mya already mentioned, and ZBrush. (http://www.pixologic.com/home.php ) which are very nice as well, stand up to Blender in most ways, but cost money.

And then you have web based ones, such as the Java scripted Art Of Illusion (http://www.artofillusion.org/ )

Just depends on what you want, need and plan to do with it.