Hi Mike,

<Also, learning how to sketch shape and form on real paper before every more major project will pay you dividends in the modeling process.

I'm drawing cars for almost 20 years and maybe more,and I speed it up my learning thanks to Scott Robertson,Drivenmavens, Sycra,Matt Kohr,and other digital painters and concept artists.As a sketching digital I'm using sketchbook pro,and my graphic tablet genius easypen m506.I can't afford it wacom with bigger drawing active area,but I'm pretty satisfaid with my genius tablet.

Here is my gallery in case you didn't visit it.There are 3d renderings,digital sketches and drawings on paper.

http://koleos33.deviantart.com/gallery/

<He uses SketchUp, and though upon closer inspection the surfaces are polygon-based.

I started my 3d modeling adventure with polygonal modeling,first with 3ds max,and now for almost 5 years I'm using Blender3d to design my concept cars.Here is on link below my biggest achievement created with blender3d,rendering with cycles rendering engine.

http://www.carscoops.com/2012/10/serbian-designer-dreams-up-his-own.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP9An6DFtSQ

So I think I'm pretty good with polygonal modeling,but when you work for a client and they want from you to create you concept mostly with CAD tools,like moi3d,rhino3d,solidworks,etc.

I worked several years ago as packaging industrial designer (1 year) and I made my designs with blender3d.When one of my designs were elected,I had to learn rhino3d and rebuilded my design in it,so to be usable for inventor and for real prototyping.Then I saw how nurbs are powerful and easy,and promissed myself that someday I will buy me nurbs software.After I saw how moi is simplified and powerful more then rhino,also affordable I promissed myself I will buy it someday.So I earned moi3d when I worked on freelance automotive project for a client from Germany.He asked me when I finished how I want to be paid,money or something for computer and I decide it to invest in moi3d.It is smartest investment for me,as I invested in sketchbook pro and graphic tablet.
I'm investing in softwares and learning,and automotive design is my biggest passion,but maybe someday one of my designs will be build.That is my biggest goal,and I started freelance automotive work last month for a client,but he didn't respond me and I don't know why till today.He wanted me to create a supercar for a real car production.That's why I have small secure payments from 3d modeling for online stores like turbosquid,the3dstudio,etc.It will be to long if I continue with typing so if you like you could check my interview from 3dvia as featured artist.

http://www.3dvia.com/blog/3dvia-featured-3d-modeler-nikola-novak-zenox/

I hope so I didn't bother you to much with my reply.

Best Regards from Nikola