Building and character modeling program

#1 Try Blender, it's free and very powerful.

If you have trouble with the interface (which most people do) try searching around here for a Maya template for it.

Best of luck!
Patrick

#2 Thanks

#3 Does any1 have a link to download maya? I've looked but had no luck.

#4 Maya has a free Personal Learning Edition: usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=7639525
But seriously, I suggest you give blender a good chance. It's easily as powerful as anything else, and it will always be free.

#5 Patrick, I did a search for the blender/maya template, but search didn't pull up anything useful. You have a link?
Jon, you really don't want to use maya unless you have mega $$$$ to spend. Blender is free, but most people have major problems with the interface. Some tho, pick it up really fast and make some amazing things with it.
There is a free version of DeleD that you can download and use, but you will have to use another program to get the dts into torque.
There is Milkshape which isn't free, but is low cost that has a good dts exporter plus animations.

#6 Our school has used Max for years, but I'm looking at the screenshots for HOUDINI, and it at least LOOKS phenomenal for character modeling.

I tend to trust resources that GarageGames puts on this site, so I'm wondering what people's experiences have been with it as far as character modeling goes... is it any good?

#7 Modeling-wise, I found Houdini to be rather cumbersome. While the node-based construction history gives a lot of flexibility and power, the toolset as such seems sub-par to me--especially compared to top-of-the-line products like Modo. No knife tool. Selections are a nightmare. Tedious chaining of operators.

#8 @Mike

Sorry for the delay, forgot to subscribe to the thread. I put th files on my server for you and all to enjoy the max/maya interface for Blender.

Get it here

Word,
'Patrick

#9 Thankyou Patrick. I absolutely hate blenders interface, but found the maya interface easy to work with. :-)

#10 Umm, I don't see anything in the folder...

#11 @Tyler,

Works for me, anyone else having trouble?

#12 You should have a folder named .blend, and a file named .blend. Just copy those to:
C:\ProgramFiles\Blender\
overwriting the originals.

#13 For clarity's sake, I tracked down the site I found the files and thought I should share as I didn't create this interface.

The mirror is still up on my website here for the above link too.

Patrick