Any alternative to vertex hacking...

[blahman179]

That doesn't involve spending hundreds of dollars on a dime a dozen 3d modeling program?

 

[Grump]

I'm not sure if there's the vertex hacking.... But find a way to nab AutoDesk Maya for the education price and you won't be spending that much..... Actually, you won't be spending ANYTHING if you're a current student.

 

[blahman179]

High School dropout here.

Besides, what I mean by not paying hundreds of moolah, I mean completely free.

 

[libertyernie]

You could download the demo for free and use it for 30 days.
You could also try to use Blender, but I don't know if it works with the newest methods.

 

[Alonguy]

Blender can do a lot more if you understand the methods, and make adjustments.
I have a custom way of doing vertex hacks with Blender, VertexBox, and Anim8tor.
(Because I don't like anim8tor's interface.)