Jake, Maya has a FREE version which is complete and completely functional....

I ment to mention that earlier to everyone....

they have actually two pacakges that go with it that are also free for public non-profit use that are fully functional

Styl,

I use 3D studio MAX ver 5.1 (just upgraded) for the bulk of my modeling and rendering. Some of my modeling I accomplish with various CAD tools including AutoCAD 2000, Unigraphics, and AutoDesk Inventor. I'll use these when it's job related or there's a high level of dimensional accuracy involved. From those programs, I'll export a .3DS file and import it into MAX. In MAX, I'll assign materials, do any animation setup, and create appropriate lighting. Rendering is done mostly with the MAX scanline renderer since it's fast. I work in a one-man animation department, so I don't have the luxury of rendering with time intensive renderers like Final Effect or Brazil.

Still images are "never" straight from the renderer, I'll render in passes to isolate the various elements and or shadows. specularity, reflection etc. for later compositing in Photoshop.

Every once in a while I'll render something in Bryce for special effect and just to push the software a bit. I hope this answers your questions and regarding if you have a future in 3D, that's up to you, and how deep you want to explore the field.

Dangeruss, where in Texas are you?

for anyone interested in Maya as a means of learning 3D without
killing your pocket book or wallet

Maya 4.5 Learning Edition

Maya Personal Learning Edition™ is a special version of Maya®, which provides free access to Maya Complete™ software for non-commercial use. More info. (Available for Windows® 2000/XP Professional and Mac® OS X).
http://www.aliaswavefront.com/en/products/maya/ple/index.shtml

Studio Tools Learning Edition

Now you can get your hands on the industrial design software tool that can make your designs a reality. The Alias Studio Personal Learning Edition is for anyone who wants to learn more about the power of StudioTools.

Unleash the power of StudioTools at your own pace, learning made easy with no time limits and no pressure. Alias Studio Personal Learning Edition includes our industry leading sketching, modeling, rendering and animation tools.

Included is a full seat of Studio for Windows® 2000 and Windows XP.
http://www.aliaswavefront.com/en/products/studiotools/studiopersonallearningedition.shtml


Alias SketchBook Pro™ is a business and personal productivity tool that transforms your Tablet PC into a digital sketchbook, available anywhere, any time.

You don't have to be an artist to use Alias Sketchbook Pro. Think of it as your personal, portable, whiteboard!

Alias SketchBook Pro Downloads
Download the free limited feature version, plus free resources to extend your capabilities with Alias SketchBook Pro.
http://www.aliaswavefront.com/en/support/sketchbook/downloads/index.jhtml

not sure if Discreet has followed suit with Alias or not, worth a look to see if they have. It is a possibility and a means to learn, then jones until you have the $$$ :/



I want a month to hang out with DangeRuss at work and at home when he is either on the board or at the keyboard to just watch and ask a few questions

Anyone got a Genie's bottle laying around not being used at the moment?

Discreet has some really indepth learning tools at good pricing online...
Covering all of their products which is good to know, I bet a good part of it would apply across vendor products at least with concept and such...

AutoDesk is king really in my opinion , they did start it all and have stuck at the front of the pack ever since unless you go higher end to Unigraphics, Catia, etc...

sitll want to be a fly on DangeRuss's wall for a bit, Camcorder and Mic a must...

ok, thanks. let me check out that maya stuff.

@ Elfkura, Arlington Texas (mid-way between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas)

Arlington,

now that's not such a bad place to visit

/me writes it down