ok well ive been using TrueSpace 4 for school, and im quite proficient at it, but i realise its a newbie prog...

anyway i never really liked modelling for HL before, but i really wanna try modelling with NS....

how do i go about it?  some starting hints on where to go to get info would be great... i wanna add a red laser light to the side of the marines head, how would i go about doing something like that?

every teeny bit of help appreciated

When it comes to the laser on the marine, I think that is impossible, unless coded in, because if you make it too short it looks odd and if it its too long it could go through walls.  I dunno, I maybe overlooking something but I am pretty sure.

I think that would be called cheating, especially if you're an alien player. It's sorta like the spikes people put on CS models to give them warning when theres a player around the corner.

Not discouraging you, just stating a fact. Or maybe you're thinking of just adding a red lighted part on the side of the marines helmet?

As for tools could use Milkshape 3d to model or maybe Gmax. Not sure bout Gmax though. Milkshape is a trial program and Gmax is free.

there's no such thing as a newbie prog. if you can use it to make good quality models, then by all means, keep it up!

Well programs like 3D Max do show alot more power and make your already good looking models have lower poly counts and look better in many cases.. That is if you can use it too its full power correctly.