OT: 3D Apps on Mac - Which and Why?

Question

Hi All,
I'm beginning to explore some 3D design and would appreciate your advice and insights. I am a graphic designer - traditionally working 2D print. However, my longer term goals are to get into product/industrial design (hand held size objects like perfume bottles, packaging, housewares and perhaps small furniture).
As well, I currently work in an architecture firm where I am beginning to work on signage projects. My goal with working in 3D is to be able to:
1. Draft the design in 2D and create usable spec drawings to be passed to a fabricator, and
2. Create a 3D mock-up of the signage in a virtual environment to share the idea with the client.
Unfortunately, at work I am on a PeeCee. I'm aware of Autodesk's 3Ds Max and VIZ, but do not want to purchase a PeeCee for these at home. We do have a few licenses for 3Ds and VIZ at work, but I'd much rather maintain my Mac-based home and freelance life for the long term, as one day I may move on to other opportunities and don't want to have switched to the PeeCee for what little 3D work I'll do at my current position. I'm confident that there are many successful Mac-based industrial designers out there and hope that one might chime in and share their experience here.
What are the common 3D apps for today's Mac-based industrial designers?
Here are a few I've briefly looked into:
Autodesk: Maya
Maxon: Cinema 4D
Newtek: Lightwave
Ashlar-Vellum: Graphite w/ Cobalt/Xenon
Cheetah 3D
Google: SketchUp (Pro)
I have begun working with SketchUp (very minorly) and am starting some tutorials with Maya 8.5 PLE. I've also downloaded a trial version of Cheetah.
My main question here is, which app(s) would you recommend to someone who is a beginner in 3D and is looking to work in product design in the future, yet be able to utilize 3D skills in architectural signage & graphics in generating competent spec sheets for fabrication and client 'wow-ing'?
Thanks for reading my rather lengthy post and taking the time to respond - I truly appreciate it.
Best,
Michael
P.S. - I am planning a significant machine upgrade in the near future to an 8-core system to start working more seriously with 3D.

Answer 1

I've been doing 3D for about 9 years. Started with Strata Pro 3D have owned many others including Bryce, Carrara, Poser, RED, Lightwave. have tried about everything in one form or another. What I've learned is there are only 3 that really count for the regular guy. Lightwave, 3D max & Maya. I went with Lightwave. You get a full set of tools & the render engine beats everything else out of the box hands down! It is extremely stable. Still waiting for the Universal version which will be deal breaker if Newtek craps out on it, I don't think that will happen considering the number of posts I've seen reguarding the Universal beta version. All 3 programs take a considerable amount of dedication-you've just left the safe space of graphic design and entered the world of 3D. What I mean is 3D takes all your skills and puts them back at beginner level. If you don't have a real love for problem solving, computers & art you might as well not spend the money. It's the difference between buying a cello for your home or weekend orchestra concert and making a living playing a cello or piano, you get the point. Sorry, went off there. I like Lightwave for what I do, the price for all the features I get, stability, amount of free/pay available training, and it's a standard in the industry. Hope that helps.
Sleeeper