hi! What is, in your opinion, the best (easiest to use for beginners / most flexible) 3D modeller for making simple models and animations for isometric and tile-based games? bye chris

1. Blender: It is free. However, it has a scary interface. If you can get a tutorial, it rocks.
2. Milklshape 3D: It is cheap, and easy to use.
3. Lightwave: THe king. Only beaten by Mirai and 3DS.

Scott

Cinema 4d is a VERY easy program to learn, the basics are able to be picked up very fast, but the program is still incredibly powerful so you won''t be limited.

And, its not that expensive. I can afford it

...or truespace 3 which is for free now.

anyway,i would suggest you to start with an early version of any programs.there are this much features in the newest generation...you quickly get lost with them :-)

tilesets games sprites
http://www.reinerstileset.de

gmax is what im (tryin to) learn. pretty good interface, subset of 3ds

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I really need to update this signature...

It depends on what your ultimate goals are. If you are an indie/hobbyist then stick with open source (free) stuff, like Blender - www.blender.org , Wings - www.wings3d.com, Art of Illusion www.artofillusion.org, etc.

If you want to get an industry job at some point in the future, you the learning editions of the big boys, GMAX, Maya PLE, etc.

Be these programs opens source or not they all provide a means to learn techinques that are applicable in any 3d software package. Nurbs modeling, sub surface modeling, etc are all techniques that can be learned on any software and transfered to another, by learning new syntax.

Personally I use Wings for modeling and Blender for animation.

http://zmodeler.nfscheats.com/

I have no artistic talent at all so its hard to tell whether it can make good looking models, but I have amnaged to sculpt something..

Is free and supports .x

Please don''t be put off by the way its designed for cars.

Suplimentary documentaion is very good.,,

Another suggestion is 3D Canvas 6. It''s free look on www.download.com for it. I''ve never used a 3D modeling program before in my life and it doesn''t seem too difficult to get into. It comes with a help file that provides a link to a website with many tutorials to get you started and familar with the interface. I haven''t used it long enough or had enough exposure to other programs to make a comparison but this one seems like as good a start as any with all the free tutorials.

By the way if you''re thinking of learning Gmax be aware that it is not capable of rendering still images ie. what you would want for a 2D isometric or otherwise type of game. All it does is allow you to save your model in a file and then you''d either import it into another 3D modeler for rendering (getting a still image for use as a sprite) or your engine is capable of loading these files which I doubt. I just installed it to try it for myself so just thought I''d save you some trouble.

Please post links. I want to model too.