Hexagon 2.2 is one understated tool for any 3D artist.
I have only just started using it and I am blown away by how easy it is to create any 3D object you can imagine and I’ve used everything from Cinema 4D to Modo.
I’ve not known any 3D program to be as user-friendly as Hex and I recommend this to anyone that wants to make some base meshes for ZB etc.
ZB3.1 Imports HEX files without any problems and the topology is really nice too.
Highly recommended 
Yep, hexagon 2.2 is truly as under rated modler that is ultra fast to modle with, no question.
Daz (with Luxology’s blessing) is running a special on the original Modo 103 for $139.90 (members) until the end of the month. This is an upgradable offer to Modo 203 and Modo 301 (with sculpting–release in a few weeks.)
Here’s the scoop on Modo’s forums:
Everyone who purchases modo 103 can upgrade to 203 for $395, and get the free upgrade to 301, when it ships!
This way you’re actually buying 301, regularly priced at $895, for 40% off!
OR
http://forums.luxology.com/discussion/topic.aspx?id=18985
Daz’s Offer: http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/shop/itemdetails/-/?item=5541&cat=362
Since Luxology doesn’t have Mac-phobia, it might be helpful to those Mac sculpters who have Intel hardware. Modo 301 for under $450 is a great deal!
-K
I got an email stating that you can’t upgrade to 203 but you can upgrade to 301 when released.
Modo103 is horrible. And if you do not like it… you cannot sell it or transfer it to anyone.
Lemo
You have two options according to Daz and Lux. You can upgrade immediately to 203 for $395 and get 301 free when it ships. Alternately you can directly upgrade to 301 for $295, but you will not the upgrade until 301 ships in a few weeks.
301 is extremely close, so they may be cutting off 203 shipments, but I’d contact one of the guys at Lux if you need 203 straight-away.
There is a thread discussing it on Lux’s forums: http://forums.luxology.com/discussion/topic.aspx?id=18985&page=0
-K
The license key isn’t system specific.
Rick Baker, DAZ, Pixar and a host of others don’t seem to have trouble building models in Modo. 
-K
dear forum members,
i wonder if someone here already checked out the new carrara 6? I own carrara 5 standard, and the upgrade price seems to be pretty heavy to me. This is because i mainly use XSI. However i sometimes miss the rather easy (compared to xsi) approach of carrara. Im especially interested in the new hair thing.
Has anyone here already collected some impressions with 6.0?
Many thanks
E.
New beta 4 september available from the download page .
Just a few assorted minor bug fixes and extended expiration date (to Nov 25).
French version inside 
MagicS costs several thousands, and apparently doesn’t do all that much.
MeshWorks is cheaper, but a bug ridden piece of junk, it always crashes.
MeshLab is free, and supports basic operations. But I can’t cut a stl with it. It’s editing is severely limited.
So is there a good affordable STL editor out there that doesn’t cost a mint?
Rhino3D! Not for free but excellent.
Lemo
If you own a qualifying E-Frontier product you can get Amapi pro for 150.00 USD.
gonna answer my own question, upgraded to 6 standard, which was released in the meantime. The hair rocks. All in all carrara6 is just fun. However sss and ambient occlusion implementation is pretty bad still in 6 (unchanged).
Upgraded from pro 5 to pro 6 mainly because of importing Poser items, seems they are having a problelm and are working to resolve it.
Update ( patch) due soon.
true, have noticed some problems with IK targets. But then i like the idea to have daz models in carrara, ready to get animated. I will probably try to generate color and normal maps for a model. However I fear that Ngons will be the showstopper 
Edit: Also have noticed that i replied to the wrong thread 2 posts above:rolleyes:
Any ZBrushers got their hands on it yet? If so, any good? I’ve heard the renderer is faster, and the GI is much better.
I don’t have it, but it looks pretty good from what I’ve seen. Then again, the only way to know is to try the demo.
Either way, WOW, the PRICE!!
It’s higher than what I paid for ZBrush or Lightwave.
yah,
price is a non starter… and their upgrade price is pretty steep too.
also, the sculpting workflow seems nonideal… you switch between “mesh based” and “image based”… and their brushes don’t seem to be as advanced as say zb’s clay brush.
(say, how DOES zb work? is it all mesh based? all image based?)
i also wonder what kinda polycounts we’re talking with modo…
jin
Yep it’s pricey.
As for polycounts, I’ve heard of 500k so far with real time sculpting, but either way I don’t think it will come anywhere near what ZB can do, I mean 20+ million polys moving about on my screen is fairly hard to beat.
I never really got into Modo that much, so I was hoping it would be a big improvement.
I think I’ll just stick with my -Hexagon - ZB - C4D - Bodypaint workflow for now. Can’t wait for VRay for Cinema 4D
