Ok here goes... I'm new here so I made sure I read a few threads before I posted this, but I really want advice. I'm a pretty young and relatively inexperienced high school artist, I draw by traditional mediums pretty well, and I've gotten the hang of using 2-D software packages such as Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7, and Arcsoft's Photostudio 2 SE. However I'm really green when it comes to 3-D works, I downloaded blender and have been "playing" with it for a while now, but I was wondering if someone could suggest a better 3-D package, preferably geared towards game art, and animation and a price tag under $100. I've looked into Milkshape 3-D but I'm not even really sure what I should be looking for. Can anyone give me advice?

Wings 3d is free.. ummm it's not bad

it would not be fair for me to give you advise seeing as how I am a 3d begginer also, however I am progressing very quickly and in my opinion its all about how you learn, not what you learn. Doing 3d is about having an eye for 3d, it will develop in any program you choose, not just an expensive one. I hear great things about Blender but I choose Rhinoceros for the simple layout of its tool system, but its all preference. Be warry though, if you learn something and try to switch it can be extremely difficult learning the new interfaces (not to mention frusterating) I recently tried to go from Rhino to Blender and things were so different I almost gave up. Just work, practice and have fun, try a tutorial or two and get yourself something free, powerfull and easy to navigate, I would suggest Rhino (trial) or Blender, but im just a begginner.

Try the free Maya Personal Learning edition. It's great to learn on and it's what a lot of professional's use. You get almost everything that's in the commercial version. It also puts a watermark when you render so you can't use it for commercial use.

Maya PE

It also comes with a great tutorial.

Thank you very much, I think I will try them both ^_^

I love all kinds of art, but I want to learn to do 3-D animation and design for video games so i'm trying to get all the help I can.

I've been using 3D Canvas Pro for a little over 2 years now. It's perfect for my needs, low poly space ship modelling, although it sucks at texturing. I use Ultimate Unwrap 3d for texturing. Another good reason for using those programs is that they're cheap, Canvas about 60 eur and Unwrap 30 eur if I remember correctly.

3D Canvas:

http://www.amabilis.com

Ultimate Unwrap 3D:

http://www.unwrap3d.com

XSI is a good package for a novice. Some 3D artists don't like it too much because it's quite different from some of the other packages such as 3DS Max, Maya, etc. However, for somebody who has never tried much 3D artwork before I think it may be a good choice.
I think you can download XSI Experience for free: though you can't render things in it...

Visit http://www.softimage.com for more info

If you want to become a professional at this stuff start learning Maya&3DSmax(both have a free learning edition,max also has G-max a free prog for making game models), most game companies require skills in both programs from theire art developers, also start learning Adobe Photoshop, is the best 2D editing softwere and everybody uses it.

I have every intention of going professional at this point. I just got accepted into the Art Institute of Pittsburgh to learn Game Art & Design so every step I take now will help me in the end I figure. So I'm downloading the free versions of both 3D Max and Maya since they seem the most prominant in the industry. But Photoshope costs alittle more than I can afford right now so I'm going to stick with Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7 for awhile. Thank you again very much for the advice.

Just before you get into the games industry take a look at this letter, which is worth looking at

http://www.livejournal.com/users/ea_spouse/274.html

I say if you want to work in games go for it, just have a really good think about where you decide to work. Also its the only industry where overtime is expected and unpaid!

but its better that working in a supermarket or factory!