- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
I'm glad you guys like them!
I use 3D Studio Max. I've been using it since version 5 came out (about 2 years or so). I was lucky enough to get a 100% free legal copy of 6 and then 7 from my school. I'm good friends with the head of the tech department, so every time they order a multi-seat license I get to install a copy for myself at home. I took a course on Maya, but I definitly prefer Max for modeling. Animation actually isn't bad on Max either. I've only just started learning animation though. Right now i'm working on rigging that Master Chief model for animation/posing. I'm learning as I go; this is the first character i've set up for animation. It's actually a lot easier than I thought.
Somebody asked if I knew of a good free modeling program. gmax is great. It's the free version of 3D Studio Max (not just a trial...100% free forever). You can get it from Discreet's website. If you're interested in some Halo models to play with, get gmax and you can download a bunch of various characters and items at http://www.yayap.com - they're the actual models and textures used in the PC Halo. They're already rigged if you load them in gmax, which means you can pose them very easily.
A couple people asked if my models were available for download. Unfortunatly, not at this time. Model theft is a pretty big problem these days, considering the widening range of people who have access to the 3D software and meshes. Many people who download models to use in their images or animation fail to give propar credit, or worse, resubmit a model somewhere as their own creation. However, I am always willing to sell my meshes or do freelance work (get paid to model something for somebody). Visit my website for more information on that :)