The only modeling program I've used is google Sketchup, but I don't think that really counts. Is modeling hard to learn? What are the best programs for modeling and texturing? For a project I may want to make an item for TF2 or a different source game if it is enjoyable.
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Nobody mentioned that all [url=http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=17355061]Autodesk[/url] products are free to students? I suggest 3DS Max, it's what I use. You can either texture using photoshop, or texture in Mudbox.
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The hardest part is getting started... Theres a lot of things you pick up with the more you practice. There are also various workshops that you can join if you want to learn as well as a handfull of college courses you can attend. I'm guessing that you don't want to drop a few hundred for this on the previously mentioned Maya, so I suggest trying out Blender 3d... and maybe Scupltris
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Oh forgot to mention to. Then you can also animate in Maya which is WAY WAY better than using craptakular After Effects. After Effects is for 2D crap and pretty much "commercial" look. You can also bring your model or environment into an engine. I use Unreal 3. Waiting for our school to get Unreal 4.
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I think the hardest part is figuring out how to use it. I'm learning AutoCAD and Solidworks this semester and honestly it can't be that hard to learn. (Advanced stuff on the other hand would take more skill and experience to master.)
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Take my picture. ^_~
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Try google.
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Modeling: Use Maya 2012 or 2013. You can also use Z-Brush to for basic sculptures to mess with. Mudbox is for importing your models from Maya and doing different levels of render/detail and smoothness. So go with Maya 2013. Find YouTube vids first. Not that hard once you get a hang of it. I use it for school. 3rd semester at Minneapolis Media Institute for Game and Art Animation Degree.