I want to know which software is the best to make world maps and characters for games. Should I use 3ds max or Maya or something else. Please advice

For the 3d side of things (forgetting price at the moment) i'd go for 3ds max which has a nice set of features for anything you are modeling as well as it is supported in quite a large range of game SDKs (which is a big plus, it's simply plug and play editing).
The downside though - price. It costs loads, so if cost is the issue maya might be better, it's been a while since i've checked prices on 3d software but yeah.
There should also be some free 3d programs around there somewhere.
Actually you could see if you can grab a copy of gmax - made by the same company as 3ds max but they've dropped support for it, it has been made especially for game design so have a search and you could grab a copy, it's free too.

-HellFire

This would be way cool wish i could make games it would be so hard to make a game about rune scape or Habbo but its like way way hard lol

Cheers

I would have to say the same as hellfire both are great programs. But dont rule out Cinema 4D to much release 10 is looking quite promising. (sorry for the misspelling.)

There is one called bryce

Wikipedia:
"Bryce is a 3D modeling, rendering and animation program specializing in fractal landscapes. The name is taken from Bryce Canyon — a rugged region with many of the same landscapes that were first simulated with the software"

Best for maps i think.

For characters i think you should use Max or Maya, but if you want to integrate ur models into a programe try finding something that support a known format that is easily parsed, or you'd have to buy a converter to do so...

I've always wanted to get into making video games since I was a kid. I never followed up with it. There were to many interruptions in my life. I remember try to draw SNES characters on a Powerbook and using Paint on Windows. I tried making little GIF animations. Then i took some auto cad classes in high school and community college. I found out you can create models in that. It is time consuming. Especially when you want to make a mesh a certain way. What confused me was the X, Y, Z coordinate system and plane you are working in. I kind of got the hang of it but when it came to applying textures I could never get it to show up correctly. It also does solid models. I used a photo map of my town and inserted it in the program and made measurements of landmarks. I then created the roads, and points for areas of interest, and added text on different layers. I have been using this map and slowly adding on to it over the years. I know where my friends live. Were the WiFi's are. Marketing for my clients. Running trails. I recently made a 3D mesh to represent a nearby Hill by estimating elevations. Now I'm trying to figure out how to convert it to a coordinate system and figure out how to export a Garmin GPS to a format where I can upload waypoints, tracks, and other data. I

I've heard of Maya, Bryce, 3D, Softimage. There are others but I've forgot the rest.

I don't have the budget to purchase expensive suites - let alone the time to stumble in the dark. I was wondering if there any free 3d software out there. I would be cool if we can get a list going and figure out what formats they can be exported to, to be suitable for video games creation. And maybe some sort of scale as to what to start with, how easy it is to learn and what to learn next. Also the prerequisites for setting up a development PC.

Making 3-d animations is so cool but its hard work. I hear what you all are saying some of the prices for these programs is insane. Has anyone here checked out
"Bender" its a 3-d animation program. I like it and its free which is a plus, and if you get the hang of it you can add all the things you were talking about, you know making games and maps. "bender" can do those things and if you need help using it there are load of tutorials, but I do like the plug and play feature that was talked about earlier with 3-d max... Not sure if that is just like a easier way to make a character or map as in pre-made with your specifications, i don't know. I will need to look into this as i to want to make game.

I have always wanted to do that. Someone gave me the advice that I should make game in flash as its not to hard and it involves coding and a lot of this can be used to make 3-d characters. They said that you should try making a game in flash and if you get good and like the work think about doing the 3-d game thing. This was good advice as you will see if you got what it take and the determination to make it happen. Another thing was that making a game cost a lot of money and time.

If you start now it will take you a few years to get a game started let alone for it to be playable or useable. I would love to make game but I doubt I will be able too. i rather just pay to have a game made. Which is the option i will lean too soon, once I get my other project together and have my money saved up to make the game i want a reality.

Anyways good luck with making a game and if you get good or want to work together we can. i still want to do it and they say tow brains are better the one. If we learn together we can learn faster. Money is not an issue so I wouldnt mind buying that 3-d max software to make maps and characters.

Well ok that is it for now,

peace out yall,

-JohnNitro

The absolute best is a C/++ compilier. To make games properly you should learn a language like C++. There are millions of free guides and compiliers.

Hey while were at it and if money is not an issue for you I could use some new software and a better pc to help make games.

Hey while were at it and if money is not an issue for you I could use some new software and a better pc to help make games.