Modo 202

[Jeremy]

I was unaware of this until I checked today, but you can get Modo 202 (educational) for only $99, assuming you keep your grades up.

http://www.luxology.com/store/store_education.aspx

From what I can tell (maybe it's a MAC thing) the painting stuff is a bit unstable (I crashed about 5 times trying to paint some texture on a wagon tarp I'm working on) , but the UV unwrapping tools are godly. seriously...

Also the new rendered incorporated into 202 and the new material editing...not to mention a pretty good modeler.. (although I find some of the keys and stuff a bit clunky) This is a pretty good package for $99, I just have to get off my lazy butt and get all that registrar paperwork sent over to luxology... lol

[Professor Watkins]

Yep; we did a quick demo in 3D III on Luxology's Modo. Their UV Unwrap tool is the bomb. Best LSW UV Unwrapper out there....

[Bucket]

although I find some of the keys and stuff a bit clunky

xsi hath spoiled thee

[Obsydian]

And for those who want to try it first,

http://www.luxology.com/trymodo/

C'mon, we all want to use the uv's...