Houdini...

[RAYMAN]

I know I know its another tool...
But first of all.. Houdini apprentice is free of charge for personal projects like noncomercial work here.. second the indie version isnt exactly breaking the bank given that you must earn more then 100k .... to need the full license....
Well why Houdini..... bevause its not just a simple app like any other....its different! For the standard things Blender is more then enough... BUT.. Houdini.. can do a lot more and save a lot of time!
Its actually a very complex generator! Example.. you normaly build a house....! Very simple task... when you build the next one... you start from scratch or more or less...! Not so in Houdini! EVERYTHING is procedural! By editing a few parameters you get an infinte variety of the same object....! Thats the strong side!
Plus houdini is awsome for its special effects like fire snow ...clouds....mist....smoke...! Give it a try and look into some tutorials!
Greetings Peter
https://vimeo.com/135727591

[clintonman]

I like Houdini too. It's extremely flexible. I learned it through 3dbuzz. The lessons are from version 9 but still valid for v16 except for materials.