I use 3dsmax to create my basic character model and then import it into Zbrush to tweak it and color it. Zbrush is great.

I find blenders camera rotation very different from 3dsmax (scroll click + move mouse). In max (and probably maya), it doesn't matter where you middle click, the scene moves all the same. In blender, it moves relative to the selected object. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but after using max a lot, blender is a bit difficult for simple things. I would suggest lightwave if you have the budget for it, as max is a bit on the higher end.

If you're not looking to make game models, and simply animated shapes, i would suggest Swift 3D (by erain) as it has the same animation principles as flash. You wont have to hassle with rigging etc. So IF you aren't going to use this for game modeling, i think your best bet is Swift 3D.

Edit: Bah, swift3d isn't free anymore :( Well, still have a look into it.

Good luck :)

Blender is the least intuitive 3D modeler you will ever use. Yes, it's powerful and yes, it's free, but you'll know exactly what I mean once you try it. It'll frustrate you to high heavens, especially since you're not trying to do anything complex. I suggest gamespace light or milkshape for what you want to do.

Yeah. I'm going to go with the majority of the repliers before me and recommend Milkshape (Website: http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/) or Blender. But if you have the cash, I would recommend Maya or XSI|SoftImage/XSI Mod Tool. They have the best and easiest GUI systems, the most features, and the biggest reputation (Maya made Final Fantasy 7 Advent Children, and XSI Mod Tool made Half-Life 2 and all it's episodes.). But yeah. You can get free versions of XSI Mod Tool and Maya 7 Personal Learning Edition, so they can be used for a little bit. But get Milkshape too, if only because it's free and it has soooooo many compatible import/export filetypes (*.ABC models? *.TXT models???) and is open-source.

DeleD for levels.
Fragmotion for characters.

DeleD can be used for free until you decide you need the PRO features.
Fragmotion is dead cheap.

I want to put in one more jab for Gamespace. If you've ever struggled with 3D modeler interfaces in the past, even the so-called standard-looking ones like 3dsmax or Milkshape, give Gamespace a try. I've really never liked any modeler interface before I tried Gamespace, and now I never feel like I'm fighting with the modeler to get something done.

However, I suggested Gamespace Light above. I'm not so sure that was a good idea. I've been playing with Gamespace Light for several weeks now and I love the program but it has some key stability issues. I called up Caligari to find out why and they said the light version is actually based on version 1.5 of gamespace. The full version is 1.6 and it fixed many stability issues. The full version also adds a bit more features to light than they let on from the website.

Also, when I called them I learned they offer a student version only available through the phone for $199, saving you $100 off the full price. That's something to keep in mind.

If you register the old version of truespace they offer for free(3.2), they constantly send to promotions like:

Weekend Special gameSpace content bundle!
Purchase gameSpace1.6 and receive free robots, guns, zombies, cars and more for only $199!

or even:

gameSpace Indepedence Day special!
This week only, purchase gameSpace1.6 for only $149 -
save 50%!

Quote: Original post by eedok
If you register the old version of truespace they offer for free(3.2), they constantly send to promotions like:

Weekend Special gameSpace content bundle!
Purchase gameSpace1.6 and receive free robots, guns, zombies, cars and more for only $199!

or even:

gameSpace Indepedence Day special!
This week only, purchase gameSpace1.6 for only $149 -
save 50%!

Caligari does offer a lot of specials. Probably about one week a month you can get something for cheap. I got TrueSpace4.3 a couple of years ago for 99$ then got offered an upgrade for V5 for the same price with videos and the physical manual. Which I took seeing as how if I jumped right into 5 at the time it would have cost me several hundred. It worked out nicely seeing as how v4.3's NURBS are buggy as hell and fixed in 5. I will say I've had some trouble with the .x exporter on the older versions.

One day I plan on jumping on a deal for 6 but I haven't been able to yet. Anyway If you got the time to invest you can get several versions for less than what you would pay outright for the current offering.

Well, as said, if you are going to use Blender I would recommend doing so before getting used to any other package; once you start using the more expensive ones and get used to their UI, it is hard to go back and learn Blender due to the frustration you feel from the interface (that's just me of course...might be different depending on who you are). In my opinion 3ds Max has a great interface...plus it has tons of features and is supported by almost everyone.

However, from what I've seen Blender is quite powerful and if you don't have a ton of extra money lying around I'd suggest it.

If you want to prototype you can save a lot of time by using a "game creator" like Blitz Basic or Dark Basic.

For prototyping 2D games I use Flash..

These kinds of apps are really useful for knocking up something quick and dirty - just to see if its fun, without having to deal with the technical details.

This is common practice in the game industry.