Wow, so Maya is really "the thing" for 3d modeling? I played with 3d back in 1998 or so, using trusty TrueSpace 1 and 2. I couldn't do character stuff, but I love doing anything else. I have a great feel for 3D space on the computer, but I just don't have the right tools to do much of anything.

I heard Maya 5 is like $5,000. True? Man, what I wouldn't give for the free time to play with 3d again...