[3ds Max] alternative 3D modeling software for Non-destructive modeling.

OccultMonk

Since the last few releases and especially the latest release of 3dsmax 2018 I am not so sure about the future of 3dsmax. 

What are the best alternative 3d packages for non-destructive modeling (Characters and Hardsurface)? In 3ds Max I work with the modifier stack a lot. Will Modo or Maya implement a stack based modeling approach sometime in the future? Why haven't they done this already? It seems so obvious.

I also would like to retain my workflow as much as possible (mouse bindings/hotkeys/viewport navigation).  What package resembles Max's workflow the most?

PolyHertz

Modo has a modifier stack (although it's quite new): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6xvkJTRXbI
As does Blender: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ndd_qNYf3Y

spacefrog

I don't think it's the right approach for new software to carry over old habits. Most people who switched will state that you have to adapt to possible new concepts and ways to do things. Otherwise you gonna constantly fight an uphill battle against everything the new package stands for. This is even true for viewport navigation etc...
Better adopt the way the new package works ....

kio

If you want to dive deeper into procedural modeling you might want to look into Houdini - if you liked the stack you'll love it's approach. On the other hand it's a little more technical oriented than 3ds max.

You could also give blender in combination with animation nodes a try - also pretty fun to work with.

OccultMonk

Do Modo deformers allow a non-destructive modeling? What kind of non-destructive stacked modifiers does Modo support and will this be improved in the future? 

OccultMonk

Does Modo handle high polygon counts well? Max can handle 10th of millions of polygons easily. There was a chart somewhere that showed comparative viewport performance for high poly scenes. I believe max was best, but I can't remember Modo's performance.