If you do decide to go with Silo, you're better off buying the pro version. I find some very valuable things have been cut from the Core version.
I also wouldn't recommend Milkshape (although DemonPrincess might disagree, heh), as it's horribly antiquated and it doesn't have much use besides being a tool for importing and exporting various formats. While you can use it to create models, I feel the workflow is so behind the times (and therefore not very fast), you'd be better off buying Silo or learning Blender.
And while I used to love Wings3d (and still do miss certain features on a daily basis), I feel it's too much hassle to use it for game-development, mostly because of the difficulty in working with holes in your mesh, which Wings can't do easily.
oh, also: there's a christmas-sale on Silo right now!
I'd second the Silo full version. As far as 3D modeling applications go, Silo is already pretty inexpensive. I believe it runs $159.99 at the moment. Not cheap, but a hell of a lot cheaper than other sculpting apps. The core version is close to half price, but you get a lot less out of it. If you don't want to pony up for the full version of Silo, you'd be better off just going with one of the no-cost solutions.
Which brings me to the XSI mod tool. This tasteful package is fully free, and even comes with some very nice exporting options. (a lot of "trial" version software prohibits or hamstrings exporting) If you aren't looking to get into super-high poly stuff, XSI Mod Tool is a great solution, and can handle just about any low to mid-range poly work. It has full animation tools and can export models for several major game engines.
And of course, I always recommend Blender. It can be difficult to wrap your brain around this program. But once you "get" it, you can make it do just about anything.
Yeah it's a bit baffling the way they've separated it into 2 products... really no need for that at all, and there are important tools missing from the stripped down version.
![:\](https://polycount.com/plugins/emojiextender/emoji/twitter/confused.png ":\")
Replies
http://www.blender.org/
Milkshape is free or $20, I can't remember.
http://chumbalum.swissquake.ch/ms3d/download.html
Wings 3D is modeling only. I really like the work flow in Wings.
http://www.wings3d.com/
Silo Core is $79
http://www.nevercenter.com/
Hope this helps.
I also wouldn't recommend Milkshape (although DemonPrincess might disagree, heh), as it's horribly antiquated and it doesn't have much use besides being a tool for importing and exporting various formats. While you can use it to create models, I feel the workflow is so behind the times (and therefore not very fast), you'd be better off buying Silo or learning Blender.
And while I used to love Wings3d (and still do miss certain features on a daily basis), I feel it's too much hassle to use it for game-development, mostly because of the difficulty in working with holes in your mesh, which Wings can't do easily.
oh, also: there's a christmas-sale on Silo right now!
Which brings me to the XSI mod tool. This tasteful package is fully free, and even comes with some very nice exporting options. (a lot of "trial" version software prohibits or hamstrings exporting) If you aren't looking to get into super-high poly stuff, XSI Mod Tool is a great solution, and can handle just about any low to mid-range poly work. It has full animation tools and can export models for several major game engines.
And of course, I always recommend Blender. It can be difficult to wrap your brain around this program. But once you "get" it, you can make it do just about anything.