Best 3d Modeling And Rendering Software - What's the best 3D design software out there?

Hello m8. First off a lil background of myself, I took a class learning the basics of Maya, and just recently started using 3ds max. In my oppinion, Maya is a bunch of headaches you don't need untill you are very familiar with a less intense program. When I started using 3ds Max it was soooo simple, theres a few things that need a little learning but once you figure it out, its freakin cake man. Also I don't know if you are into World of warcraft, but if you are then I have a great way for you to get into 3ds max. If WoW interests you, then I think you would very well enjoy loading World of warcraft characters into 3ds max, rigging them, and making animations with them haha its quite funny to see the hardcore bosses doing ballet or the chicken dance hahah. But anyways Theres a guy on youtube that is awesome, and has a bunch of bad ass tutorials. Here is the link to his youtube channel "http://www.Youtube.Com/user/iwkya1".

But basically all you have to do to load the World of warcraft characters into 3ds max is:

1.)Have WoW installed        2.) download WoW_Model_Viewer(Free)    3.) Export the model from Wow_model_viewer to a Milkshape 3d file(The only option)  4.) Load into Milkshape 3d and Export as Autodesk 3ds 4.)  import into 3ds max   5.) The textures are given to you when you save from WoW_model_viewer

Quick tip about the textures: If when you render and the textures come out with a light color to them than the original, then go into the materials editor (M) and look for 3 options under the section Alpha source: click None(opaque). This will get rid of the light color and make the textures come back to life. 

You can follow that guys tutorials on youtube for more detailed info, and info on how to Rig the characters, apply the textures, and start making animations.

Ohh and also, I really do now think that 3ds max is really really easy to learn, even making a Rigged character do a Ragdoll is freakin easy, if you just pay attention and follow that guys tutorials I guarantee that you will learn the essentials of the program really fast. Also Using WoW character models also makes it a ton more exciting and interesting, at least for me it does, and I don't even play the game anymore.

BTW, Blizzard does support Machinima, and in fact they encourage it, But only under these terms: "http://www.Worldofwarcraft.Com/community/machinima/letter.Html"

As for obtaining the programs:

I don't know if this site is anti - Warez or watever, and I really don't care either but seriously if you just use the programs for educational purposes and don't sell any of your works I really do not see any harm, and once you do finally have a job because of your excellent modelling skills, then you can finally afford to buy the program, in that essence Torrents are really just really freakin good advertizements, if you truley do enjoy the programs then go buy them.

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