/3/ - 3DCG

>>673096
>>673504

Alright guys I need some advice. (1/2)
Image is http://www.deviantart.com/art/WireFrame-n-PolyCounts-88153226


Want to get started in 3d and have only semi-defined goals. I'm currently making my way down the board sticky but have some questions. Understand that some of the following terminology might be incorrectly used, I apologize for that but my meaning should be clear and I'm happy to clarify if it isn't.

1. My goals are to be able to model and eventually animate characters in order to create little videos or animations. I don't have any delusions of grandeur I realize I'm not going to be the next Pixar I just want to slowly develop the means to create cool shit as personal projects. I will say however that this does put me in an awkward position where I'd like to have a basic grasp of how to go about creating characters/scenery and both organic and material based models. Is there any particular type I should learn first?

2. Does my end objective have any effect on how I should go about learning software? I'm under the impression that creating a static model is handled very differently to a moving one. Should I ignore "static modeling" or any similar techniques in order to not have to re-learn certain parts of the process?

3. I don't wish to start a software war but given my goal is there any single package that will allow me the basics of the entire pipeline? Between the 3 programs I've most heard mentioned (3dsMax, Blender, and Maya) I'm leaning towards Maya. Honestly for no particular reason apart from comments I've heard regarding Adobe pushing towards making it its main piece of software. I was hoping for some advice regarding which version I should...er acquire. My main concern is perhaps X or Y year being more prone to crashes or compatibility problems than previous ones. Any advice regarding any software is honestly welcome.