I would like to have some suggestions for getting started with 3-d modeling. I have messed around alittle with a demo of maya, but could someone suggest a newb friendly yet powerful modeler for me? I need to have some models for the projects i am working on, and great thanks to all that can aid me. I will be using opengl. i would like freeware. and somthing supported by many tutorials would be great. :)

ok, im checking the sticky, and find out that, for example, wings3d is a subdevison modeler.what are the differences and why are they important???
im also leading toward blender.
Is blender good?

please help.

Blender has more functions than you can shake a stick at; modeling, rigging, animating, texuring, it's all there. Thus, for the price of $free it's a very good deal, and if you have the time to figure out the interface, then definitely give it a go.

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free:

- Milkshape (has a huge amount of export plugins)
- Blender 3D (although the interface is slow and not my favorite)
- GMax (although gmax does not have a lot export plugins)

Of course you can model in Blender and import in Milkshape to do any final touches, etc.

wait, what final touches couldnt i do in blender?
and what is the differece funtionaly between these modelers???
how are some modelers different from others, what makes some better???
is milkshape free?

and thanks a bunch, i have no idea what im doing.

ok, how are the techniques for modeling like mesh modeling or polygonal modeling different ? and what different kinds of modelers and techniques are there?
ive heard somthing about vertex modeling for example.

sorry, but im completly clueless

I'm brand new to 3D Modelling, but I have read a reaaaaalllllllly big book concerning it, and it was very helpful.

The difference between the programs is what they can do, for example, Milkshape is good for modelling, easy to use, and has a lot of utilities to make excellent shapes.

Then you can use Blender to make photo-realistic models, hence someone mentioning importing models into Blender to make the 'finishing' touches.

Most programs differ in interface, what they're made for, what they can do, and how good they're used.