How do you make Transformers in 3d and what is the best program for it?

 

I use 3D studio max, the latest version is 7, but I hear its one of the hardest 3D programs to learn and work with. I've never tried any of the other popular ones yet

the way I build them, is I just take basic shapes, squares, rectangles, cylinders, spheres, etc. then I mold each piece from that and put em all together, eventually after hours and hours of modeling, I have a robot!

there are other ways to model too, but I havn't learned how to do those yet

 

Any program will work if you put the time into it. Makotron told me in so many ways that you can't teach someone how to use a 3d modelling program. They just have to learn a bit on their own. I found he was right. There are so many elements in it where the individual takes over. It's like clay: you could give it to 5 different artists and get 5 different renditions. I chose Maya because the interface looks almost kindergarten, and I think because of that I was less intimidated by it, but make no mistake, it's some powerful software. The other programs were a bit intimidating to me as far as the interface is concerned.

But it's really all about price. Some are extremely expensive while others are cheaper. Most of the higher end programs have trialware or restricted versions of their software, but you can still do heaps and bounds in them. Look around and pic one that looks cool and has a lot of user support (because you'll be reading hella-tutorials) .

Hope that helps in some way. Can't wait to see your first project.

 

That is some of the best advice I've ever heard. Everyone learns at their own pace, in their own way; I never even glanced at Lightwave's manual until I started getting a lot more advanced. One piece of advice I will impart, though, is to start small with what you try to make, and work your way up.
Personally, I use Lightwave 3D to create my work; I find that the interface is very simple (instead of obscure icons it uses actual text on the buttons, so you know exactly what they will do), and the learning curve is prety good. You can build and animate something very basic in a minute or so (well, I did anyway). Version 9 is out soon (a couple of months, I believe), and promises to be a great upgrade; pluis, with the current deals you can get Vue Infinite (a very good 3D landscape & city designer) for free. Lightwave is also extremely well supported; there are a lot of free tutorials out there. And I do mean a LOT.
But, as with everyone else who will reply in this thread, that is simply my opinion.
At the end of the day, I would suggest looking at the different programs out there, and seeing which one looks best suited for you; a lot of them have free versions you can download.
Whatever app you settle on, good luck with it  

 

I use Maya for practically everything, because for me, it seems easy to understand (for the most part), is suited to the way I'm used to doing things, and isn't overly-complicated (well, until you mess around with NURBS modeling).

Really, it is about what is best suited for you. You can't just say "Max is better because blah-blah-blah uses it and made this!" The reason the person was able to get those results in the first place is because he or she understands the program and knows what they're doing with it.

In all honesty, I could probably reproduce the same results in Lightwave or Max if I knew them as intuitively as I do with Maya.

Also, it really depends on what you are using the program for.

I've heard that 3D Studio Max has a lot of external support for programs such as ZBrush for normal mapping (though Maya 7 has that integrated now), and that it's polygon modeling tools are among the best around (which is highly debatable), however it's absolutely terrible compared with other 3D programs in terms of animation (don't know about this, never really tried animation in Max except to make turntables).

With Lightwave, the interface actually has the hotkeys labeled on the menu buttons so that you can gradually learn them on your own without flipping through a manual or help screen. In terms of modeling, Lightwave's spline tools can't be beat. However, there are some drawbacks in that navigation seems to be a bit cluncky compared to other programs (at least for me).

With Maya, it's attempting to be the asshole program where it's good at everything, and in certain things it simply is the best. Modeling is decent, character animation is superb, and the interface is lightning fast in terms of switching viewports. However, there are some downsides. NURBS modeling with curves is just a pain to do and in my personal opinion doesn't hold a candle to Lightwave's spline tools. Also, the shader network just gives too many options to the point where you're either confused or annoyed.

So, there you have it. My advice is the same as Draven's and GrungeWerx's; just try out each program and decide which is the best for you.