https://www.posetteforever.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3086&p=38268#p38268
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GrouchoCaesar
Friday, 25 January 2008, 09:06 PM

Re: Looking For A 3D Editor...
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Amen to that.  3DS MAX is a great modeller.  I know, because I use it.  I just don't know for how much longer I can...

I have a very old version - MAX 3.1.  It was bought as a student (so was a lot more affordable) a long time ago, when pixels were steam-driven and mice had to be feed by hand, but it works for what I want very, very well.

BUT:  It comes with a dongle you have to stick in the parallel port to prove you own it.  (Almost said Centronics Port - now THAT is showing my age...) Try finding a new PC with a Parallel Port these days.  I've done some experiments with a PCI card with a parallel port, but the dongle seems to have issues with that.

So, I'm not about to spend more cash on a newer version, and I have to hope my next PC works with it.  It's come to the point that I've been sourcing replacement Intel 845BVG motherboards online to buy as a backup.

In the meantime, I've been looking hard at Blender... If the worse happens, that's what I'll be migrating to.

GrouchoC.

(One other thought:  have you considered looking at trueSpace from Caligari? - it's fairly mature, and version 3.2 is available as a free download from Caligari's websight.  It has a lot of import-export options and a thriving 3rd-party scene including various plug-ins.  There is also gameSpace Light, which may also be of interest as a modeller.)