3D modeling with artwork

[NAH]

What program is good to use if you want to add artwork you have made onto a 3D model of your arcade cabinet?
I've seen a few people do this but haven't figured out how... I'm not much of a graphic artist..

or add controls on top of your artwork in an isometric view.

[shmokes]

3D Studio Max is great, but costs an arm and a leg and is very complex.

I don't know what else people are using.  Oscar has made 3D models of many arcade parts, trackball, joystics, buttons, etc. in Autocad, but I don't know if you can apply textures (artwork) to your 3D designs in Autocad or not.

[VMJ Team]

Yes, textures can be applied in autocad...Acad is not as robust as 3d studio...but in my opnion...much easier to use...but then again, I learned AutoCAD way back in High school when it was known as DiscoverCad!

[Howard_Casto]

Autocad will get you by, but if you want the model to look halfway shaded and photorealistic then consider maya or 3dsmax.  

**Hint**  Do you think peter and myself can actually afford to pay for max or maya to do all of those 3darcade models?  

[Cue-Ball]

Actually, just about anyone can afford Maya as long as it's for non-commercial use.  You can download a copy for free or get a copy of Maya with a DVD tutorial and book for only $20.

http://www.aliaswavefront.com/en/products/maya/ple/index.shtml

Now, if only i knew how to use it....

[)p(]

Actually, just about anyone can afford Maya as long as it's for non-commercial use.  You can download a copy for free or get a copy of Maya with a DVD tutorial and book for only $20.

http://www.aliaswavefront.com/en/products/maya/ple/index.shtml

Now, if only i knew how to use it....

can you export to other fileformats then the special mamya learing format with it though?

ps. hc is right me to uses a ... version of 3dstudio...we have a whole bookshelf of older versions of 3dstudio and autocad though...but they belong to my girlfriend