Question by nv.the_name: Which 3D software “Combo” would work best together?
I know many 3D programs out there are not necessarily able to be transferred, but what combo of animation, modeling and background would work the best…these are the ones I at least have knowledge of (I’ve dabbled with many demos)

Background – Vue and Bryce
Animation – Lightwave, Maya, 3DS Max, Cinema 4D
Modeling – Poser 3D, ZBrush, Blender

If you know of any other combos or suites (such as the Adobe Creative Suite for 3D stuff) let me know and money is not an issue! I can go anywhere from free to millions of dollars (ok maybe not a million but you get the idea!)

Best answer:

Answer by X
What i would suggest is to focus on mastering one software before moving to another, for example Maya, as a lot of people consider it the industry standard. However its equally important for you to focus on which ever one your more comfortable with, or the specific one the company you want to get a job at use. The software is somewhat only a tool, so it don’t matter too much which one you use, its how good you are, which is how much you put into mastering which ever software.

A good “combo” in my opinion would be—MAYA(Modeling, lighting, shading, animation, rendering, etc.), ZBRUSH( Painting, sculpting detail, even rendering if you want. and more.)…I would also suggest PHOTOSHOP(or any other similiar software..ex. GIMP…for texturing, final touch up, compositing, and etc.)…or you can try switching it up(ex. instead of maya it could be lightwave, or any other application), or even adding different programs to it….

There are people who model in lightwave or 3ds max, and surface in cinema 4D, and animate and render in maya or even render in 3ds max. so you can always try that approach.

If your looking to master softwares to help in the animation process, get a video editing, and compositing package and anything else you find helpful.(which you can add the to “combo” i mentioned or your own).

(I never used Vue, Bryce, and Blender…so i cant say anything about them. and i only used 3ds Max only a few times same with Cinema 4D, and Poser)…
So i cant give you a “combo” with what you use.

Ultimately the more software you know (proficient with) the better…