Maya, Blender, or 3Ds Max?

I haven't used blender yet (most likely I won't), I do have Maya Unlimited and 3DS Max (student version). I 'grew' up with 3DS Max so when creating simple models, I use that program. 3DS Max also has its own Script language, which lets you write your own file exporter (so you can use your own fileformat for your game). I don't know if maya also has this, though.
I use maya for the really nice renderings, models that have hair. 3DS Max doesn't have this thing with hairs unless you pay alot of money for a plugin.

I just (5 min ago) a movie where so artist created a prehistorical piranhia in ZBrush and within 15 minutes I fell in love with ZBrush...

I cannot say to you use this or use that, if you like blender, keep using it, all modeling app's got features which others doesn't have. I began with 3DS Max because I have heard about it so much.
The popular big boys aren't necessarily the best, you know...

I know I didn't answer your question, because it is all about personal favor, to me that is.

Xeile

3ds max is an own all program, it does everything maya, blender can do. there are tons of freeware plugins for 3ds max aswell that do the same as the expensive ones (like hair). Maya is good too but blender is limited compared to the two.
However don't listen to me or the other guy. 3d modeling programs are like an artist and his medium of choice, use whatever you feel the most comfortable with.

Blender is actually really fast to use once you're used to it.... moreso than 3dsmax, I'd say. But the really, REALLY nice thing about blender is how it doesn't cost thousands of dollars.

Don't forget to look at your own skill. It don't really matter which one you use since it is your own talent that is going to make the difference. Take me for example, I could drive a Ferrari but it would probably have just as many dents and scratches in it as my car. If you get to a point where you find Blender cant do what you need it to, then it is time to start shopping around.

OK, thanks for all your advice guys. I will do what IronGryphon said, and if there is ever something that I can't do in Blender, I will look into Maya or 3Ds Max.

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Original post by Harryu OK, thanks for all your advice guys. I will do what IronGryphon said, and if there is ever something that I can't do in Blender, I will look into Maya or 3Ds Max.

I hope you have at least $3000.

blender+wings, then greaduate to an entry level high end app, like xsi foundation, or if you only model, modo or silo.

for game modeling, at a beginners level I suggest that you have specific apps for all the diffrent stages. I suggest wings3d especially for the modeling stage, what a great application, I use it even for hi-res applications. Maybe try Gmax as well for the modeling, free from autodesk (who make 3dMax, as well now as maya apparently!)

For unwrapping try lithi-unwrap (I belive thats what its called. Cheap and decent) In reality there are alot of not so expensive programs that do this (and some free, see the stickified list).

For texturing for free GIMP works well, or if you have it PhotoShopPro, either one will suit your needs.

Your looking then at just buying and unwrapper, which is good because then you can keep tasks seperate and specific, you dont pay through the nose for a 'complete' program and finding an unwrapper can be more suited to finding one that you work well with, instead of using one that you must get used to (because there are so many of them)

This is just my opinion, there are some problems with it like doing animations and stuff but starting out it should be about creative process (aquiring better artistic skills, learning to think 3d and other more basic stuff) then later it can be about learning more advanced programs, UI's and techniques but you will already have a workflow and foundation.

Much more than I though I would have to say, sorry and good luck

Slowpid.

If you can pull out $7000, get maya. It can do hair, cloth, water, and it has the best rendering system. It is not as supported for game programming though, but it is the best package you can get. If you want scripting and have only $3000, get 3ds max. The most widely used program to date for game modeling. You may want to check out rhino or lightwave too.

m-works, have you ever used 3ds max?
I'm not trying to say 3ds max is better than maya (it doesn't matter anymore anyway since discreet now owns maya) but 3ds max can do hair, cloth simulation,water, soft shadowing...ect and has the best render using a seperate render made for 3ds max. There's vray, final render, Brazil and many others. And you get all of this for less than maya, unless you're either A: a very rich person or B: a doing well company you should get 3ds max.
But as i said before choose the one you're most comfortable with and not what we say, i'm just trying to give helpful advice.

I personally have tried them all, 3ds Max, Blender, Lightwave, Maya(In various places, I don't have them all), and I must say, I have been most comfortable using Blender and Wings, once you learn the Blender interface it gets less scary.

Try to take into account that if your are going for game characters you wont be using things like hairFX and renderers should mean very little except for concept work. Your hair will be all polygon as will the rest of the character.

Another thing I forgot to mention was that, and someone please correct me on the validity of this, blender has a built in game engine to test things like animations and level designs with quickly.

As well, if you have the dedication and the money 3dsmax is a great program with alot of benefits and, if you are going to be going for a job in the industry, is mostly the standard, although some programs like XSI are getting up there (XSI used for half life, correct??). The only trap I would avoid is thinking now that discreet owns Maya maya will change much, I believe that now autodesk owns both programs they will either make compatibiblity better, or they will move maya even futher towards the movie business and keep max in the videogame buisness.

As well, keep in mind that maya does not cost more than max, it costs less than Max AND you can download a free version (with some hardcore watermarks) that has no time limit or save limit, the limitation is the watermark.

Good luck

-slowpid

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Original post by Jarrod1937 3d modeling programs are like an artist and his medium of choice, use whatever you feel the most comfortable with.

Nice said. Use Lightwave3D then :)

how about gmax? That is free. You can practice with that to get skills needed for 3ds max in the future. I'm not sure if there is a plug-in to support .x files or whatever format you need. Gmax is like max 4 . You will pretty much get the picture with gmax it just doesn't render. There are many game modeling tutorials for gmax, and I suggest you check it out. 3ds max is easier for rigging bones. For cinematics maya or 3ds max is good.

If you really need something more advanced than blender, I would suggest Lightwave3D: it is easier to use than 3DStudioMax (IMHO), is cheaper than most of the other apps of the same level and can do everything the others can. Perhaps it's not really suited for nurbs modelling, but if just for this, then you need Maya or Rhino only if you are a professional charachter modeler.
And the provided renderer of Lightwave is very good. Currently you can buy it and Bryce for < 1000$.

No more GMax?

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=5562445&siteID=123112

I would go with something cheaper like Lightwave, Softimage or GameSpace. Even though gamespace has a horrible interface IMO. The thing about Max and Maya are that they offer way more than you will ever need to do game characters. You don't need a high quality raytracer renderer and all the extra things these programs have unless you are creating high end animations.

max and maya are expensive because they are high end industrial tools that can do almost everything. They aren't built with the hobbyist in mind as much as some of the cheaper solutions. Some of the other programs only cost one forum of what those programs cost and offer all you need for creating polygonal characters.

There are also dead cheap programs that specialise in certain areas.

For levels:
Deled
Cartography Shop

For Character Meshes:
Milkshape
Fragmotion
Gamespace