Help with Milkshape

I am not sure if this is the right spot for this.

I gonna start to learn how to model using Milkshape.

My question what is the easiest way to select exactly what part of a model i wish to select. I been trying but i keep finding myself selecting something i didn't want to select.

Also, how can i switch from viewport to viewport without it deselecting something (i.e. a keyboard shortcut)?

You don't need to switch viewports; they're all active at once. Remember that selection events are stored in the undo functions; if you deselect something by accident a quick ctrl+Z will sort it.

A good way of getting an object selected in a tangle of others is using face select and ticking the "by vertex" option; selecting a vertex will select all the faces on it, and you can work your way through the object.

You can also use the "groups" tab, but unless you've been regrouping all over the joint that'll just get you each primitive you used.

I found that sometimes I'll want to select something but I'm unable to get a view in which i can select that piece and not something thats in front of it.

I feel that they should make it so you can select objects in 3D view, sadly you can't.

i dont know about milkshape, but in 3dsm i never EVER use the flat vieuwports, i work in the 3d one exclusively, and i have never had any trouble selecting anything.

Well in milkshape you can't select anything in 3D view, you can only select in flat views.

Also I can't use 3DS max as i can't get version 4 or 5 as they are no longer made.

Selecting stuff in the 2d viewports isn't hard, you just have to group things well and hide bits that aren't in use. Look in the help file or search out some of the beginning tutorials on the site. Hell, even post in the forum. There's people there that can explain it far better than I.

sometimes, i'll select something and it selects that object and everything behind that object

You haven't worked with image planes yet, eh? :P

When you are using Select, at select options check the box labeled "Ignore Back Faces"

Isn't 3Dsm more than $3000.00?

Max 8 is about 8000$/€

but there are also students versions which are about 100 - 200 $/€ but you can only use them for 1 year and I don't think you are allowed to create something for a copmmercial game with them

i have ignore backfaces checked but still find it selecting something i didn't select also how do I select something i can't see in any view except 3D view(which 3d view doesn't allow selecting)

Image planes are for pussies ^^

Like I said, regrouping and hiding. Select all the stuff you're not working on that's in the way, regroup it, or just hide it straight off.

sometimes i can't select the right stuff for a certain group as it sometimes selects backfaces or i can't select something cuz i can't find a view in which can see the piece of the model i wish to select.

Improvise. Select large lumps and deselect little bits. There are a myriad of ways to select what you need.