I’m looking for a Mac native modeler that I can use. I have used 3DS Max quite a bit, and like it, but the cost of staying current (now that I’m several versions old) isn’t really worth it to me, as I really only use it as a modeler.
So given that, is anyone familiar with both of these packages - Maya LT 2016, and Modo Indie? Both look quite nice from a quick glance. I would be using it almost exclusively for asset creation for Unity.
I switched from modo501 to Maya LT and I do “like” Maya LT more. Having said that though, modo501 was a fantastic application that I loved using (and that’s several versions behind).
I personally think they’re fairly equal in terms of usability. I went with Maya LT simply because it’s the standard.
Like you, I only used the modelling features, and even there I’m very much only doing the basics, so no serious in-depth knowledge.
Random Max artist perspective:
From what I’ve seen from Maya LT - I’m a little aggravated Autodesk doesn’t offer the same deal for Max.
Seems Maya LT is great for indie users, and if you ever decide to go beyond modeling - you have the best rigging software available to you instantly.
One note about Maya LT - I believe all the rendering capability is stripped out of the LT version. Not sure what else they stripped out to make it so affordable, but I’m sure it is more than just the rendering engine.
I’ve not used Modo but I’ve watched several speed modeling videos. It seems to have very robust modeling tools and was one of the first (if not the first) to incorporate the new (at the time) turbo smoothing algorithm - both Maya and Max still use today. And if I’m not mistaken, Modo has a super nice auto unwrapping tool that just works! as expected.
You can render in MayaLT, just not make Maya Full offline renders with all the fanciness. I bring in my textures, I create and edit my UV’s all in MayaLT, I can “render” in the viewport to see how it looks, what I can’t do is make image files of a scene. But I don’t need to as Unity is my renderer. LT doesn’t have a “Render” tab, it has a “Lighting/Shader”
For my money LT is the best tool for modeling/UV’s/Textureing. I also own Modo901. I prefer the communication network between Maya/Unity and the seamless way the 2 work together.One of the best reason I can give for using LT over 901 is Autodesk took all the clutter out of the program to focus on Game Development. I also understand that Autodesk’s new game engine will be free to LT subscription users. While I probably won’t switch engines, It will be a nice addition to my LT, something to dump into from LT to test things with probably even easier pipeline.
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Its not so feature rich, but Cheetah3d is pretty cool. Its in a nice beta now too, I think any current purchases get you the next version for free. Poor mans Maya…
http://cheetah3d.com
I love maya and I have been using it for 10 years or so and I really recommend it…so now I’m using Maya LT on my macbook pro retina. Having said that…it’s quite unstable on my mac right now…so if you are doing stuff yourself it’s fine. So I am very sad to say that based on my experience here…it would be highly unsuitable in a high pressure production environment if the crash issues applies to all users.
Check out the limitations of those steam versions of the programs very VERY carefully. I’m 99% sure that at least at the time I researched it modo indie had a different file format that was locked to your steam account.
I’d use Blender, but that wasn’t the question…
Thanks for the responses everyone - I’m trying out Maya LT, and it’s being a bit of a learning curve. I tried Blender, and I just can’t get past how different the user interface behaves. Like theAnimator2b above, I think I’d really lake a “3DS max LT” version, now that would be fantastic. They tried a similar thing once with “gmax”, but it never really caught on. I’ll try Cheetah before my Maya LT license expires. I tried it once before (version 5? maybe), but it had issues when import FBX models in the version I tried (they were all flat!), but I imagine that is fixed by now.
I wonder- were they were rigged? Theres a checkbox in the fbx import settings of cheetah…“Load pre/post rotation” That changed my rigged models from messed up to “as expected”
being a longtime max user, i’m considering switching to Maya LT, best offer for the Tools provided, plus stingray engine.
Well you should be used to some of the quirks then, Maya LT is quirky but powerful.
My two cents 
would I have only the two for Choice
I would use Maya LT, it is not so buggy, easier to use and not such a lack of performance
Modo was a real Disappointment for me and the worst 3D application that I have use.
crashes on mass and wriggling Bone during the rigging process.
Also the Manual is not very a help.
the most Tutorial are only to buy
For Maya you will find on every corner for every task an How To, if you googling
Maya LT feels so much better for me . I can understand I have not all SFX and Render features in the Indie Version , but the Polycount Limit is a NOGO. 
I develop not only LowPoly stuff so it is useless for me.
But anyway for Gamestuff Development, you not need buy a “BIG BOY”. 
In this case all tool do the same things, no matter how much money you spend.
Cheetah is nice and is easy to use, but if you plan seriously rigging, I can not recommend for that. Still too basic and have a bad Weightbrush, for my claims.
I’d use blender if I was learning or didn’t have a higher skill set. Fact is, you’re not benefiting from Maya until your skill is at a level where it makes sense. Otherwise perhaps you’d be inspired by the name at least.
Maya works in areas where other DCC programs fail, hence the “industry standard” characterization. Huge user base, many great tutorials. Good Unity integration, animation tools that do work. Learning to work with the industry standard is an investment of time, working around buggy solutions and awkward interfaces isn’t. Well worth 240.
Is there even any 3D program where these exact complaints have never been made?
You can Always use Blender3d Good for indie Developers and hobbyist and beginners Maya is what I will learn next, but I like blender’s UI
Blender3d Is Free to use
Since this original post, I used Maya LT for a short while, ran into some minor issues, then finally switch to Blender version 2.78. Now that I’m used to it, I like it quite a bit.
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Btw in the meantime I subscribed maya LT and love it.
If you have Mudbox like me, no polycount limit . Anyway I have still never exceed.
The rigging and copy weight function is top notch