umm i learned most of wha i know from messing with 3ds but try these tutorials they have some pretty good ones

3dcafe http://www.3dlinks.com/tutorials_max.cfm

i'm still trying to figure this out...

3d Studio runs what...a couple grand, right?

So how the hell do so many p[eople claim to be using it, and then state they have crappy day jobs that pay around or under 50k a year?

Am I missing something or is there a decent array of people blatantly proving day-in and day-out they are using illegal copies?

I didn't say warez'ed, because a group here seem to be students, so that makes their versions "student" versions, which, as far as I recall on most software licenses, means they can't create anything...to be sold, or licensed, or something like that. I forget the exact wording the last time I read it, which was when I purchased the Macromedia Studio MX suite.

Anyways, with a few notable exceptions, it sounds like people are getting off when bragging about using some of this 3D software and then claiming how poor they are (note messages about subscriptions, registering stardock apps, etc...)

I know this probably ain't the thread to post this with the best affect, but it is a thought that apparently isn't widely shared anyways, so what the hell...

my 2 indian pennies for the day...

try to search at www.google.com for: 3ds max tutorials

"So how the hell do so many p[eople claim to be using it, and then state they have crappy day jobs that pay around or under 50k a year?"

educational version.

i got a real old copy from my school, 3ds 2. Im only 15, and I dont have a job.

fortunately i go to a private school where high-end pcs are loaded with software such as these that no one uses. i dont know how my topic astrayed so far off my point. WHERE CAN I FIND GOOD TUTORIALS?

Rish. You might want to read the replies you got. Both supercanadianhero and style skinner pointed you to what you're after.