What is the best compromise in terms of price and ease of use?

That depends hugely on your budget. If it stretches, I''d just forget compromise and go all out for XSI2, its a beautiful app. If not, see if you can pick up an old 1.5 version cheap maybe.

But then, if you''re just getting into 3d thatd probs be too advanced anyway. Start simple and affordable, with something like TrueSpace (assuming its still around, I haven''t used it for years).

You could always go for milkshape3d, www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/ ...

-Fredric

You could look at what is at Freezone. They have a good bunch of freeware modellers.
http://chuckr.bravepages.com

3dsmax is the veteran in videogame business (but +/- for at least $3000)


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"Cuando se es peon, la unica salida es la revolución"

I am actually talking like less than 500. I have used the TrueSpace demo and like it much better than the freeware stuff.