XSI, it has the best exporting plugin for Source, not to mention you can do view models and other things a lot easier than 3DS and Maya.
Yeah. Maya or 3ds are way better. Also fuck that learning 3ds or Maya take as much time as learning blender.
No, the main problem with blender is that its gui doesnt work as for ANY other 3D modeling programm. So if you learn cinema4D you have some insights how the interface of MAYA works. But blender needs to go his own way without keeping the standarts. Same for gimp, corel and adobe have the same style of interface but gimp needs to be special and so you cant change easily.
Learning Maya/3ds as a first modeling program takes as much time as learning Blender as first modeling program. There was a huge flamewar about it on gamedev.net. And yes, Blender doesn't have all 3ds/Maya's features.
For making static models wings3d is incredibly easy and fast to learn, it does have limitations though like it can't make models with holes in easily.
ok simple, cinema 4d is great for u to learn a decent modelling face, 3ds IS THE ULTIMATEMODELLOR, AND MAYA IS THEULTIMATE ANIMATOR,cinema 4dis a jack of all trades, and blenders a hobo
thanks for the update I was monitoring this thread in case there was a superior program for organic systems
Okay. I have a HUGE hard-on for blender, but I never found a way to make source compatible models with it. Does the blender->collada=>XSI->Source method work? --And is there an easier way? I can't imagine with how awesome and popular blender is, that there isn't an easier method hiding out there somewhere. Blender's interface is definitely unique, but unlike GIMP, there is a good reason for the blender interface to be the way it is. It's quite customizable and efficient. I'm fairly sure you can even use a '3ds esque controls' preset layout.
Eh, I still say XSI is the best modeling program, but then again I have yet to try out 3DS Max to it's full abilities other than just using it as an intermeditary for my exporting to the Bethesda engine.. or whatever it is called.
Both blender and XSI are good. What I like about blender is that it's free, but It's legally free and I can do whatever I like with the models I make: if I made a model in mod tool, but want to use it in a non free game, I can't, whereas I can with blender. I found blender's interface fine really: for modelling I just find a use about 5 different hotkeys and the space menu.
