   Modelling for beginners
  I was thinking maybe this went in the Visual Arts section, but me being a newbie I'll just ask here:What do you guys think is the best (or at least easy to learn) modelling software for a beginner? I've tried downloading Milkshape (which froze my computer whenever I opened it), and I tried AC3D which is pretty easy right now. I'm just making the basics like houses and random objects. Or is it based on how easy it is for you to learn and use the program? Thus making it that the best software all depends on how you take control of things.P.S. If this really does belong in Visual Arts, can a mod move it please!   
  My lack of modelling experience *may* prove that Newtek's Lightwave is a pretty good tool. I just love how easy it is to place vertices and then make polygons of it. The lay-out is quite different from other 3D packages though, so it may take a few hours before you are getting used to it.However, I guess it will depend mostly on what you want. Creating objects and maps is pretty easy. Organic models such as cars or high-poly humans is a lot more difficult though, but I think that counts for any program. I'm still waiting for software that captures my hands & clay model :)As for animated models, Milkshape is way easier (and cheaper) than Lightwave. Maybe not for pro's, but that is out of the scope anyway.Furthermore, LightWave supports quite a lot output formats (important if you want to load the models). It's own LWO format is not the easiest, but neither impossible to load.My 50 cents   ;  3ds Max is a little scary at the beginning but youtube is full of tutorials covering quite anythings from beginning to intermediate, even pro.Anyway for static mesh milkshape or blender is quite easy (the logic back to modelling is quite the same every program u will use (except sculpture)).My first model was done with blender following a tutorial on youtube about little creature with wings.If u want the normal map for your model I think or you are a very pro with 3dsmax/blender or you need zbrush for sure.Anyway if you want more details, u need to explain what kind of model you want try to modelling and what format you want to use (ex. X format).Bye   ;  If you can afford 3ds Max of course.If you are an University student, you can get Academical /Educational license, with limited time (for some money of course).Blender is free.   ;  For general purpose things blender is a go, especially with 2.5 I think it stands on its own with the other commercial counterpartsAlso for pure modeling you can try http://www.wings3d.com/ witch I heard is better then blender in the modeling processWith tools like this there is no doubt you can make professional models but no matter what tools you use you still have to learn allot to get thereAlso if you have an opportunity to use other software by all means you can try themNote that the tools are there to help you with your workflow but its the artists that makes the good models regardless of toolOn a side note blender has some sculpting features too , although it doesn't compare with other sculpting applications its there   ;  I personally like and found Milkshape to be very easy to use. It has a free 30 day trial and to purchase a license is quite inexpensive compared to other modeling software.   ;  Milkshape is only for low polygon stand-alone models, and is ten years out of date.Blender is great, and there are tons of tutorials on vimeo. Try BlenderCookie.com and just follow along through all the tutorials, starting with the interface. It's a general purpose 3d modeler, animator, compisitor, sequencer, etc... you can do anything with it.;Quote:Original post by BrokenCaneI was thinking maybe this went in the Visual Arts section, but me being a newbie I'll just ask here:What do you guys think is the best (or at least easy to learn) modelling software for a beginner? I've tried downloading Milkshape (which froze my computer whenever I opened it), and I tried AC3D which is pretty easy right now. I'm just making the basics like houses and random objects. Or is it based on how easy it is for you to learn and use the program? Thus making it that the best software all depends on how you take control of things.P.S. If this really does belong in Visual Arts, can a mod move it please!Have only direct experience with Maya, Mudbox, and a little bit of motionbuilder but from everything I've seen and general consensus none of the general purpose 3d suites really deserve the label 'easy to learn'. A consequence of Autodesk getting fat and lazy on its near total monopoly. Maya is full of nonintuitive quirks that really drag out the learning curve much further than it should be. Frankly I had an easier time getting the hang of the visual studio ide. 3dsMax I'm sure is not much different. Blender is free but a common complaint is that its a pain to get used to even by the standards of the field as it is built from a programmers perspective rather than as an easy to use artist tool. Mudbox on the other hand stands head and shoulders above all the others in terms of ease of use but it is quite specialized. All in all if you keep at it you should grow to be comfortable with whatever skillset you pick up. But if you're used to the likes of paint and ms word prepare to have your work cut out for you.;  Thanks for the posts everyone, I'll check out Blender first since it's free and it does seem to be used a lot, too.   