www.daz3d.com
DazStudio is a good one to start with. It's what I use though I'm seriously considering moving to Carrara. You can play with it and decide if it's your thing and whether Daz is suitible to the task or you want to go to something else like Poser, Carrara, Bryce, Vue etc....
And the price is right, free. Though if you do get into it, the price of the program is the least of your worries....
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...Nothing too fancy, just something that an idiot(liek myself) can use, and not have to stab myself in the heart several times before giving it a second try?...
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Ok, with the words '3D' in the title, you know I gotta chime in 
As you take your first steps into 3D, be prepared for a set of stumbling blocks that might discourage you and make you want to quit. Each 3D program has it's own interfaces and capabilites, each is good at different things (people, animation, objects, environments...), some play well with others and some don't, some are cheap and others cost more than a second mortgage. Then, there's the issue of render time and getting used to having your system occupied for hours on end as it processes a single image.
Because no single program does everything well, I've found the key is knowing which programs do what, and how to get them to work together. For example, I might do my people in Poser, model their clothing in Maya, import some 3D objects I've found online that were creatd in Max, and then drop them all into Vue for the environment rendering. The final output can be nice, but I spend a lot of time with Photoshop to correct all the flaws and correct the render.
So... I guess the question is, what are your expectations from a 3D application? What are your end goals (character stuff, landscapes, etc)? What's your price range? What past experience do you have with 3D (and 'none' is a fine answer. it'll give me a basis for waht to recommend)?
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www.daz3d.com
DazStudio is a good one to start with. It's what I use though I'm seriously considering moving to Carrara. You can play with it and decide if it's your thing and whether Daz is suitible to the task or you want to go to something else like Poser, Carrara, Bryce, Vue etc....
And the price is right, free. Though if you do get into it, the price of the program is the least of your worries....
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First thing that came to my mind too. They come out with free stuff every week, but the good stuff costs money. I still can't figure out how to make my own costumes in it though.
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www.daz3d.com
DazStudio is a good one to start with. It's what I use though I'm seriously considering moving to Carrara. You can play with it and decide if it's your thing and whether Daz is suitible to the task or you want to go to something else like Poser, Carrara, Bryce, Vue etc....
And the price is right, free. Though if you do get into it, the price of the program is the least of your worries....
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First thing that came to my mind too. They come out with free stuff every week, but the good stuff costs money. I still can't figure out how to make my own costumes in it though.
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This book covers how to make figures, but it expects you to have Maya or Max, plus a good handle on some pretty complicated steps. I haven't gotten past the first few chapters.
Secrets of Figure Creation in Poser
Well, really the only thing I want it for is to make people/models in general. If i need a background I can use something else(screenshot/photo).
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Secrets of Figure Creation in Poser
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It's not the people I had problems with. It was making costumes and colors and stuff. But I bet that book has it covered.
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Secrets of Figure Creation in Poser
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It's not the people I had problems with. It was making costumes and colors and stuff. But I bet that book has it covered.
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Actually, Poster considers costumes 'figures', so it covers everything. In fact, clothing is MORE complex since it needs to conform to another figure (the person).
I think it depends on what you mean by "making costumes". If it's just a matter of simple clothing, it's not all that difficult. Basically it's just a matter of creating a "skin" to put over the character or other clothing item, which only requires reasonable skill with a program like Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro. (Some examples I've done: Fallen Skye, Karnal Sin, PlasmaStream)
The part I haven't tried yet (but hope to soon) is making armor pieces (think Thor's Assassin, for example). That would require a program to make 3D objects, which I assume are what Maya and Max are that DJ mentioned. Then there's the matter of making your own figures, like a robot or werewolf or whatever, which is what the book covers that DJ linked us to.
My advice would be to try the free program first, keeping in mind that it may require an investment of time and that there will be a learning curve. Ok, actually my advice would be to listen to DJ's advice, he is the master. My experience has been that it can be time-consuming, but also a lot of fun.
Y'know... this brings up a cool idea. I've wanted to do tutorials for a while now, and I'm going to be re-working my site soon. Maybe I can do a few pieces with tutorials in mind, such as 'how to make a costume' and stuff like that.
I did a version of PlasmaStream as well. Sartori, where did you get those buildings you used in yours? They have a good, contemporary look to them.
Where is Plasma anywayz?? I haven't seen him around lately...
That is really sweet. I'm glad I hadn't seen that when I made mine, or I might not have attempted it.
Sadly I have to report that I didn't render the buildings myself, I just used an existing image as a backdrop. I don't remember exactly where I found it. That's something I've generally tried to avoid, but in this case the site I found it on didn't have any restrictions listed about re-using it in any way, so hopefully I didn't rip anyone else off in the process.
Any tutorials you might throw together would be awesome. I recall seeing a tut you once did on how you made your Crimson Storm piece, which I didn't have the foresight to save, and which is probably now lost and gone forever. In any case... I for one heartily second the idea!
That would be really cool DarkJedi. I know you can use photoshop to make the skins but... I need the details on how to do it.
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I did a version of PlasmaStream as well. Sartori, where did you get those buildings you used in yours? They have a good, contemporary look to them.
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Looks like the Dysotopia City Blocks, which were recently revamped and passed through DAZ to go in their store.
Just to be fair in the name dropping Syxxus has a werewolf figure, and there is an entire super hero line of stuff by Sturkwerk over at Poser Pros.
Most in game approximations on costume bits can be done with the catsuits and the aforementioned photoshop skills. Most of them have templates available on their product pages, the really good templates are done by Snow Sultan. Using DAZ Studio, or Poser 6/7 you can also bring in displacement mapping to have them look less like textures painted onto a catsuit.
If the OP wants to do character renders, I would agree, start in the "poser universe" and the best foray? the free one. Grab the program, grab the free content pack, raid the freeby archive, and spend a little time scanning their forums for tips and tricks, as well as download links to Questor's studio downloads(a nice set of metallic shader presets, and a good set of character lights. Find the additional DAZ shaders, and play around til you get the hang of it. If you move into Poser 7(dont bother with poser6, honestly) your only real challenges will be figuring out "okay, where the heck did they put this tool I was used to being over here?".
Incidentally, Questor also has two sets of guns(pistols) and a set of knives and swords in the freeby archive, that cover just about all needs in that department.
Now the big name dropping list.
Community sites.
<ul type="square"> [*]Renderosity-one of the biggest and oldest (gone a little downhill recently, but still has seniority[*]Poser Pros-big, helpful, so good DAZ bought them up.[*]Animotions-Super hero oriented "Poser" stuff(will also lead you somewhere I'm not going to mention specifically)[/list]
Specific Merchants to be on the watch for.
<ul type="square">[*]Billy T[*]Bat Labs[*]Pretty 3D[*]Baron Vlad Harkonen (also locatable by looking for Digital Vixens , the name of his website)[*]The3dWizard[*]PhilC[*]Uzilite/Wusamah[*]Kozaburo-Hair, excellent, excellent hairs, and prefers to leave them free(Daz actually had someone go meet with him in Japan about getting stuff in their store, but he prefers his hairs remained free)[*]B-Man/idler168-Shoes and boots. You'll see them in the stores at Daz and Renderosity.[*]Jim Burton-can't forget this one.[/list]
I could go on and on and on, but that's a heck of a start. I didn't specifically link, so as to not possibly erk the mod-squad with perceivable advertising frenzy on the forums here, but I gave you a pretty robust starting list to begin your searches from.
Edited for bad typing.
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That would be really cool DarkJedi. I know you can use photoshop to make the skins but... I need the details on how to do it.
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Here is a tutorial that explains the basic process.
Essentially, you start with an image file that has a template for the clothing item you want to skin. This shows the outline of the garment or object. You can use a program called UVMapper to generate this. Then you use Photoshop or PSP or whatever to add layers, painting the textures that you want to see in the render. Then you save that to a graphics file, and in the 3D program (Poser in my case) you tell it to use your file as the texture for the clothing object.
The process isn't that difficult, once you understand it. It's getting the texture "just right" that takes time and practice.
I think it's great that you're interested in 3d. It's definately a fun field to get into but like DarkJedi said be prepared to plow through a few road blocks.
I hear Daz is indeed probably the closest thing that comes to what you're looking for. It's a Poser rival and more importantly as stated above, it's free. But again, like Dark was saying it's probably not going to do the full job.
I guess it just depends on what your expectations. If you're justing looking to 'play around' with 3d to get an approximation of your character in cool Poses then Daz should probably do you ok, if you've got a good imagination. However if you're shooting for stuff like Dark's...I can, without a doubt say there is no "free, simple to use program" that's gonna do that for you...short of designing your CoX characters after some of the default characters found in the 3d app.
By the way Dark, OUTSTANDING image I'm not gonna ask how many hours went into that.
Best of Luck,
8
"Scumball in the side pocket." - 8 Baller
I must say that all of this information is fantastic. I've been wanting to try my hand at creating my characters in 3d and I'm looking forward to the bumps and humps that will come with learning. To the OP, thanks for posting this question, I was too chicken myself. *blush*
Runs off to tinker...
@Tax E - RIP CoH 2012
Anyone try ZBrush?
DJ?
*Raises Hand*
I use it pretty often, just depends on what I'm doing. Typically I'll go from a base model in Maya, to detailing in Brush with possible texturing, it just depends on what it's for. In the past couple of months I've picked up Body Paint 3d which has it's advantages, so that may come into play as well. Typically more if I'm doing lowpoly game models. The textures are usually finished up in Photoshop.
Here's a very early model of a head I'm working on for my villain Sinder.
VERY early: Early Sinder Head
...ah, and the weird place on his mouth is where his cigar will go.
But since he was looking for cheap and simple, Zbrush is kinda outta both those requirements.
8
"Scumball in the side pocket." - 8 Baller
After lookign at the (surprisingly low)system requirements, and having an hour long stare-off with the pretty little animated "Download Daz|Studio Unleash the artist within!" thingy, I need to ask:
Is this going to let me make my very own models? I mean like make wire-frames or however they do it... and stuff? Or is it going to be like "Here's a scarily realistic and anatomically correct person, have fun playing dress-up!"? 
Well, I have been trying this program for the past few hours and learning basics... very very very basics... and for me that's basic as it can get.
As an extreme noob to this, all I can suggest is patience and low expectations. I'm just having fun making stuff bendable LOL
I know, I'm not helping, but at least I'm trying. 
@Tax E - RIP CoH 2012
Oh my gawwwwdd....
*drum roll*
I made a wireframe box appear... It had pretty little multicolored sticks inside... It was awesome... I made it get big... That was even more awesome...
*is very proud of himself*
Err... Well, how do I make things bendable? I'd like to atleast have the satisfaction of bending someone's arm before the night is done... 
Noob helping noob? Is that possible? hehe
I did it two ways...
1. I clicked on the limb part I wanted to move, then on the right hand part of the screen, you will see two tabs, New at DAZ (promotional stuff, some freebies) and a Parameters tab. Click the Parameters tab. Then a huge list of what you can do to that limb will be available. Twist, Bend, Front-Back, etc, etc. Use the arrows or click and slide from left to right and you'll see it. Try it. Have fun with it.
OR
2. I activated the Power Pose Tool (Alt+Shift+P), it's all there, just hover overtop the buttons at the top. Then click on the limb and hold the button and move it around.
Hope that helps... took me a bit too.
@Tax E - RIP CoH 2012
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After lookign at the (surprisingly low)system requirements, and having an hour long stare-off with the pretty little animated "Download Daz|Studio Unleash the artist within!" thingy, I need to ask:
Is this going to let me make my very own models? I mean like make wire-frames or however they do it... and stuff? Or is it going to be like "Here's a scarily realistic and anatomically correct person, have fun playing dress-up!"?
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The answer would be "B". You will need a few more and higher end programs to make you own figures.
I'm getting a tad bitty bit tired of drawing and... stuff... 2D stuff... So I was wondering if there's a free, easy [to use], 3D art [computer] program?
Nothing too fancy, just something that an idiot(liek myself) can use, and not have to stab myself in the heart several times before giving it a second try?