Best 3d modling program for newbies

#1 Each program is simple in its own way. Id download the learning edition of maya (which is free) and gmax (which is free) as well as demos of any other program you want to try and see what works best for you.

I personally use (and swear by) 3ds max, but its kind of a hard program to jump into if you have no modeling experience.

#2 Adam is right.

But, you have to start some where. Pick any demo or free 3d program that catches your eye (Maya or Max is a good start) and stick with it for a while.

Pick ONE. Stick with it.

One day, one week is not enough to get to know a program, especially if you haven't much experience using one. Give yourself time to wrap your head around the whole 3d environment and the program.

Think about it. 2 to 3 months is not very much time to devote to one program, to get to know it.
It's the only way you get to know what you want in a 3D program.

I've use several over the years and finally made my choice - Lightwave. That was the program that suited my personality and the way I work. It may not be for you.

SO - GET STUCK IN!

Good luck :)

James

PS - I've never used Maya and now I'm starting to work with the Personal Learning Addition to see if I like it. Who knows, in 3 months I may be switching over ;)

#3 I recommend Blender... www.blender3d.org

I found it easy to learn and even easier to use, It can import/export a large number of file types aswell. It's completely free and has a great DTS exporter for it, theres also a good .map exporter on the way too.

Blender has a huge community here - Elysiun - they always help you out with simple questions or problems easily.

Milkshape is also a good starter, alot of people support it, although I've never really used it myself.

#4 I am now using blender. The initial learning curve is high but once you have it, it a fast and well featured program. The learning videos are a fantastic start and the downloadable manual takes you through everything you need. Plus its free.

To start with all the keystrokes can seem scary but I generally find I only use a few all the time:-

A = clear selection/select all
B = box select items
E = extrude selection
G = grab/move (restrict to axis by pressing X,Y,Z after G)
W = Access manipulation features like merge, subdivide etc.
Tab = change between object and edit mode
CTRL-Tab = Change between vertex, Edge, Face mode
Ctrl-R = Loop cut (this feature is a HUGE timesaver)
Numberpad = changing views.

I started out with milkshape but it takes a long time to do stuff in it and it has quite a few problems when it comes to animation and model cleaning. The interface is very simple to learn but you can quickly get lost while modelling more complex objects.

Lightwave, maya and max are expensive programs, I wonder how many people in the indie environment actually have a legal license, especially for Max as it is VERY expensive.

#5 For a newbie...in my opinion, Milkshape3d is the best program to start with. I consider it a baseline of beginning; once the concepts and basic modeling tools/commands are mastered, of course, move on towards higher end packages. Ms3d will produce acceptable TGE content, once it's optimum workflow is used, and you squeeze every last bit from it. It won't give total DTS/DSQ functionality; but, pound for pound, it more than pulls it weight. To me, a tool is used for leverage, that which can't be generated by the hand alone...;).

...the operational words here being, "simple". and use the DTSPlus! exporter, with it's outstanding .CFG dialog, it's intuitive, logical, making the process to DTS/DSQ fairly straightforward. It would be awesome if that dialog a bit of extension for more .CFG parameters, writing it to file for ya...eh. Like I said, pound fer pound.

#6 I personally think Milkshape is wierd cause only 3-d progam i have used so far is Cadkey-99 which is outdated and not made for any kind of game stuff.

#7 Any suggestions as to what someone should use for making games with the TGE? I know everyone has a personal opinion (mine is Maya) but can someone give me an honest opinion as to what program works best with TGE?

#8 Ive used the LW exporter most of the time, and some times the MAX exporter too.
The LW exporter is really simple, stable, easy to learn and use tool. This is not true for the max exporter, which is totally chaotic if you are compare to the LW exporter. We are used it to exporting characters and character animations in KA:PC, just becouse our character animator did his job in max, but we had our most horrible user experience witht the TGE art pipeline, when we are used the max exporter.to exporting DTS (www.kingarthurgame.com)

I didnt used blender or maya exporter, but i cant imagine that there can be a simplier method, and better useability than David Wyands LW exporter, just becouse thats really a few click solution :) Oh ..and is there a trueaspace (gamestudio) exporter also, but i didnt got any experiences with. Im stopped using truespace after v2.0.

Good luck to make a good choice :)