modeling programs

I was have some modeling experience which programs like Rhino3d and 3d
studio max (i own neither or these programs, used them at school) and i
was gonna try and start makeing models for halflife 2. but there dosnt
seem to be a modeling tool included with the SDK. Am i spose to shell
out 175 dollars for a years use of Softimage XSI or is there something
else i can do? any other tips for modeling would be helpful. i know
about the XSI demo but i cant save in that so its not really of use to
me

You can download a free version of XSI (not a demo) specifically for HL2 modelling.

http://www.softimage.com/products/Mod/v4/

Softimage has a fair bit of bad reputation with a lot of people for
being un-user friendly and unintuitive, but I'm sure its plenty good
enough once you get the hang of it. Personally I use
milkshape, but if
you have much modelling experience you will most likely find it too
limited and simplistic. Its good enough for building level props, but I
wouldn't consider it for character or weapon modelling at HL2 quality.

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[img]http://card.mygamercard.net/sig/Default/reno84.png[/img]
Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net

One confusing site .

[edit]

The namee of the xsi mod tool contains the word "demo" yet this is not mentioned on the download page. Am I missing something?

what about others.. one u gota pay for.. casue i got
that xsi and all i can make is a box... cant figuer how
anything else works

wizard james, take a look at this thread, a few links to some xsi tuts.

[edit] err, here are the links, forgot to paste them :razz: http://www.snarkpit.net/forums.php?forum=6&topic=4632

[/edit]

As for modelling programs I only can think of Milkshape and Blender 3D
( http://www.blender3d.org/cms/Home.2.0.html ) right now.

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What the Snarkpitters listen to!

If you're looking for a program you have to pay for. . . I personally
like Maya 6.5. It's easy to learn and there are plently of resources
available for it. However, you may not want to spend around $7,000 for
the program. . .
http://www.alias.com/glb/eng/products-services/family_details.jsp;jsessionid=4RFC2VBH3Q3JZQCLCWSCM44AJMK0KJVC?familyId=3900009

Another pay program which is also quite good is 3DS Max 7. In my
opinion though, like XSI, 3DS Max isnt that simple or intuitive as you
might think. Likewise with Maya, 3DS Max has a hefty proce tag at I
think around $3,500. http://www4.discreet.com/3dsmax/

Like I said before though, Maya is my personal favorite and quite easy. Theres always the free programs mentioned above. . .

EDIT: Did'nt see in your post that you already had experience with 3DS Max. . . It might be your best bet then. . .

XSI is horrible, I can't stand it. I just like good old Milkshape. Costs $20 or so, and its the best for beginners.

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-[Better to be Honest than Kind]-

I, acquired Lightwave 8. I really like it. It's much
better than XSI. And by the way, it's not like I downloaded it
off Kazaa or something. My dad's work has all kinds of
uber-programs that he can get free.

That's where I got Photoshjop as well.

Anyways, I have Maya, Lightwave, and XSI, and XSI is by far the worst.

Whatever, just consider Lightwave, it's very good, it also has an animator.