[Ave]

there has been quite a buzz about modo recently, was wondering if anyone has tried it out?

[robmaz]

I do like it. I think it's about the best sub division modeler out there, and it should be easy for you Lightwave guys to use, as I think it's reasonably close to modeler.

Not too sure on the price though, as it is 'just' a modeler and renderer. Get the demo and give it a whirl. It does have the best help files ever made for an app.

[Ave]

yeah I was reading that it made by the original creators of lightwave, so im sure there will be elements that are very similar..... and I dont no how true this is but I heard that you can change settings so that the interface is either like that of lightwave, or 3d max
I think that is so wise to make the learning curve easy- in my opinion the biggest thing that is holding blender back is the steep learning curve and the terrible help files- most of them are so outdated that it literally takes days to figure one small thing out

[robmaz]

You're so right - a nicely pitched learning curve is vitally important, especially nowadays with more artists wanting to learn 3d apps as opposed to just 'technically minded' people.

Blender is a crying shame for me, I think it's a missed opportunity. You can do a load of things in there, but the interface has stayed resolutely confusing throughout it's history.

Wings 3D is a better free modeler, but again the help/tutorial area is let down by a frankly elitist and apathetic community. They showed no interest in 3D Palace's free Wings tutorial, with one user telling the author that 'video tutorials are too hard to follow, it should have been done as a .pdf'.

Modo does share a 'feel' with Lightwave, but it is different enough to warrant it's existance. It's incredibly elegant and Lightwave users will feel almost immeadiatly at home, I think.