Alternatives to LDD?

[Jaco van der Molen]

I see lots of people building digitally, but I don't have the slightest clue what programs to start googling.

I guess I'll start with asking if any of them have more of the recent torso patterns and such than LDD does for making minifigures?

Eh... Ricky? You ended up here on the LDraw forums, so this is THE place to find your programs! ;-)
I'd say try LDCad.

As for torso patterns: All parts are made on a voluntary basis, so if you cannot fine the torso's with the right patterns they've not been made.
You can either ask if here on the forums if someone is willing to make them, or try your self.