For those of you who use 3d Max...

[Ebbe]

Which version did you use, and how much did it cost you?
Because me and Milkshape are becoming unfriendly, and Blender is too difficult to manage.

[scionxbabe]

personaly I use maya but before that i used 3d studio max if your a student go here
http://www.studica.com/Discreet/

if not http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=5659302&siteID=123112

try it out first make sure you like it cuz thats a lot of money

[ToRnado]

max is very expensive

[Ebbe]

I've seen. Dag...is there any others besides: Milkshape, Blender, Wings, Anim8tor, and Maya, Max?

[SnowStorm]

Once the qa version of Simpe is released you can use other 3d programs that support SMD (Halflife2) format. I've been using fragmotion (http://www.fragmotion.com) for a week now to make both object and body meshes. It's a very nice program that is quite in-expensive.

[IndigoRage]

I mostly use Max 4.2 (student ~ was something along the lines of $550), but I've started using Max 8 SP-1 ($3495). It would be great to see Maxis shell out a little of their money for a GMax pack for Sims 2, since GMax is free, but my understanding is they have recently migrated to Maya, so Maya PLE might be an option, as Maya PLE is also free.

I'm kind of stuck with Max, as the work I do requires it, and I did go out on a limb to get the approval to buy it.... but it does STL's (stereo lithography) that our RPM (rapid prototyping machine) can read natively... so....

~I

[ParsimoniousKate]

I got 5.1 on a student license for £685 but that expires later this year so I will have to buy a second hand copy of 5.1 from lord only knows where, or I shall have to stop making Sims 1 objects!

[Seraphira]

unfortantly i paid way to much :( 3500 for 3ds 7.1 not includoing vray.

Ps it's a business license. :)

[IndigoRage]

Pistachio : It may be possible for you to aquire an extended license for your student version. I was able to for 4.2 for something along the lines of $550. The extended licensing agreement allows me to continue using 4.2 indefinately, but only for educational use.

~I

[Diocide]

Im pretty sure i saw somewhere discreet doesn't even let people download Gmax anymore.

[SuperMaster]

what about Cinema4d?

I use the free version 6 CE that is just like 6 but with a maximum rendering solution of 600x400

but as this doesn't matter for creating objects for the sims2 it's a great tool

[phoenix_phaerie]

I also got 3D Max for a good price because I was a student, but I'd suggest getting Maya, only because it seems to be more compatible with the whole content creation thing. I've run into so many problems with compatibility issues because of max, but I'm sort of stuck because I already have it/am familiar with it.

[ToRnado]

i use max and i've never had any problems making stuff. you just have to know the right method to use it and i do.

[D2Diamond]

Gmax - Free (http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax)

Diamond

[ParsimoniousKate]

Pistachio : It may be possible for you to aquire an extended license for your student version. I was able to for 4.2 for something along the lines of $550. The extended licensing agreement allows me to continue using 4.2 indefinately, but only for educational use.

~I

I finish my course this year so I can't extend it any further but I expect I'll be able to find 5.1 for sale second hand somewhere!

[simsfan3ds]

I also got 3D Max for a good price because I was a student, but I'd suggest getting Maya, only because it seems to be more compatible with the whole content creation thing. I've run into so many problems with compatibility issues because of max, but I'm sort of stuck because I already have it/am familiar with it.

Have to ask, what compatibility issues are you experiencing?? I use max only. Is this to do with editing animation etc. or more with importation/exportation issues?

Although I have just started cloning and modelling the Maxis stuff I havn't come across any issues, yet! For future I would love to know what I should fear...

[ToRnado]

well max isn't really good for editing animations or making body meshes

[Jasana_BugBreeder]

well max isn't really good for editing animations or making body meshes Don't know about animations, but Max is GREAT for making body meshes. Because you can have bone assignments set automatically, very close to original bone assignments, by simply attaching the changed part(s) properly.
The only thing needed is SMD exporter-importer.

[simsfan3ds]

http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax

Download for free and plugins available.
Havn't downloaded myself as I have 3ds V8 anyway.
Max is undoubtedly the LEADING program for modelling and is the ultimate 3d package and only slightly beaten by maya 7's great animation controllers and rigging system.


Hurry if you want a free 3ds program this won't be here forever!!