What software to use when creating characters/vehicles/weapons?

[KVogler]

Max is an industry standard and its a little easier than Maya to start out with imo.
But there’s no light version and that will count later on budget wise…

Indeed. As it is discussed here also …
https://forums.unrealengine.com/showthread.php?102904-Weird-question-3DS-Max-Maya-subscriptions

Actually you can get MARI indie 3.0 + MODO indie 901 Bundle from steam for £289.99 as a permanent license

Hah :D… Just posted something similar in th other thread