I started with Maya after using XSI 4 for a little while, I learned more from both apps by doing challenges. Speed Challenges are the best as you are under so much pressure to get it right first time. I used to enter the 3D Total Speed Challenges, they worked well and always had a great turnout.

Challenges are a great way to learn, and saying that I am always disappointed that people are only interested in doing a challenge when there is a prize up for grabs. The prize should be that fact that you completed it, did you best and learned from it. Most people here want to get into the industry? So learning is more important than the prize, that new knowledge is where the true joy exists.