So 3ds max vs blender eh?
Now you might be wondering which one to go with, now i have had experience form both.
3Ds MAX
now 3ds max is very impressive, with its ease of use and i sespecially like the animation options and rigs that it comes with, but 3ds max isnt without its minor problems(they really are minor)e.g nearly ever new update of 3ds has had some minor bug's like for example 2011 had a skinning bug, but this was soon fixed after loads of complaints about the bug.
as far as the UI you may have to watch a few tutorials to find-out where everything is but for the most part the UI is very clean and easy to find the right tools.
Blender
Blender is a free 3D modeling program, it is also very good at what it does alothough this program requires more than 3Ds max just becasue of how the UI is laid out and all the shortcuts you have.
So far i havent encountered any bugs with Blender but its ease of use is not very good the UI is quite messy and for the most part i find myself using more shortcuts than i do on 3ds max.
You can create very good models on Blender, it even has its own sculpting tool but the way the UI is laid out and the amount of shortcuts you have to use really does let it down.
If you want a really easy program to use then i would go with 3Ds max if you have them money for it which it costs around £3,600 to buy which is no surprise with the bells and whistles 3ds max comes with or you can get a trial/student version for educational use which costs nothing.
If you just want a free 3d modeling program then i would go with Blender, although you may have to spend a longer time learning how it all works,but once you get the hang of it its a good program for modeling and is completely free for commercial use.
