Easy 3D
October 27th 2006 22:17
I’ll have to be blunt here, I don’t particularly like it how artists get all the credits for the SFX in movies. The job they do is simply too easy, well granted, it isn’t too easy per-se but it is certainly far easier than that of the one who makes the tools.
I used to be quite enthusiastic about my 3D modeling for instance, blame it on 'Toy Story', but my complete lack of… artistic integrity… saw to it that I was never going to pursue a career in that particular stream of art. As such I fear I may never work in the pristine offices of Pixar...
Anyone can do it really, there’s nothing in specific that is difficult about the stuff you see happening on CGI movies such as ‘Toy Story’. I taught everything to myself, with the help of a few step by step tutorials a few years back, not particularly difficult, but certainly not easy. Well, not easy for a kid with absolutely ZERO artistic aptitude.
While you may be thinking that you are going to have to cough up a bundle for the software that does 3D like in Toy Story you are in fact erroneous in your belief (oh I’m a naughty boy with the thesaurus today, aren’t I?).
So how much will you be looking to spend? I’d hazard to guess close to $0. Well, just short of the makers paying you, you probably will be paying $0. The trick is in finding the right software, don’t mind paying the down payment of a house for it until you are sure you love it, and that you are going to profit from it. Oh and yes, it is perfectly legal to download trial versions of software, of which there are many in the world of IT.
But where to start, where to start? Well for inspiration Highend3D is a nice place to start. If you are looking to learn 3D modeling you can either buy a book for a specific piece of 3D editing software or look online for free resources. Actually the way I learned was downloading a completely free (non-trial) program called ‘gmax’. Supposedly it’s a 3D modeling program targeted at people who play games, as it helps them remodel characters and such, however it actually still qualifies as a 3D modeling program.
gmax is essentially a stripped down version of ‘3D-Studio Max’, a very stripped down version. The real difference for most beginners is that gmax, unlike 3D-Studio Max does not have a trial period. It does however lack a lot of the very powerful features of 3D-Studio Max, such as the ability to create hair, or any form of rendering tool. For newbie’s that shouldn’t matter for the time being, you don’t need to make hair or render your model to see it with lots of wizwaz graphical enhancements applied.
What I found best about gmax was that I could download tutorials to learn how to use it, not that 3D-Studio Max didn’t have even better tutorials, just that gmax doesn’t have a trial period.
If you aren’t buying into what I’m saying and you do want the extra tools and all that, or are looking for a trial version of the most powerful 3D modeling program on the market without a set time period in which to use, then I recommend you download Maya. It is probably the most powerful, and complex, 3D modeling tool available this side planet earth. The learning edition is free, and comes with learning resources to help you get started.
As a small point of interest why don’t you take this test?
References:
-First image taken from Pixar Animation Studio's website
-Second image by chenqingfeng taken from Highend 3D Gallery
Geri's Game is an academy award winning Pixar short film
Anyone can do it really, there’s nothing in specific that is difficult about the stuff you see happening on CGI movies such as ‘Toy Story’. I taught everything to myself, with the help of a few step by step tutorials a few years back, not particularly difficult, but certainly not easy. Well, not easy for a kid with absolutely ZERO artistic aptitude.
While you may be thinking that you are going to have to cough up a bundle for the software that does 3D like in Toy Story you are in fact erroneous in your belief (oh I’m a naughty boy with the thesaurus today, aren’t I?).
So how much will you be looking to spend? I’d hazard to guess close to $0. Well, just short of the makers paying you, you probably will be paying $0. The trick is in finding the right software, don’t mind paying the down payment of a house for it until you are sure you love it, and that you are going to profit from it. Oh and yes, it is perfectly legal to download trial versions of software, of which there are many in the world of IT.
Inspirational
gmax is essentially a stripped down version of ‘3D-Studio Max’, a very stripped down version. The real difference for most beginners is that gmax, unlike 3D-Studio Max does not have a trial period. It does however lack a lot of the very powerful features of 3D-Studio Max, such as the ability to create hair, or any form of rendering tool. For newbie’s that shouldn’t matter for the time being, you don’t need to make hair or render your model to see it with lots of wizwaz graphical enhancements applied.
What I found best about gmax was that I could download tutorials to learn how to use it, not that 3D-Studio Max didn’t have even better tutorials, just that gmax doesn’t have a trial period.
If you aren’t buying into what I’m saying and you do want the extra tools and all that, or are looking for a trial version of the most powerful 3D modeling program on the market without a set time period in which to use, then I recommend you download Maya. It is probably the most powerful, and complex, 3D modeling tool available this side planet earth. The learning edition is free, and comes with learning resources to help you get started.
As a small point of interest why don’t you take this test?
References:
-First image taken from Pixar Animation Studio's website
-Second image by chenqingfeng taken from Highend 3D Gallery
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Comment by katyzzz
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It really sounds quite fascinating as does your journey through life and your perception of yourself.
Don't ever discount your artistic ability, when one is young one can't always take a comprehensive view, being sorely tested by the abilities and understanding one is trying to acquire.
As time goes by you'll learn you have qualities you never thought possible.
I glean from you an abiding sense of loneliness which you hide behind your technical ability.
You are obviously very resouceful and this started early in life.
When my mind feels up to it I'll have a look at those programs you suggest, it will be interesting and any time you want to take us slowly through the technicalities of computers, starting at kindergarten level, I'll be right up there in front, ready, willing and hopefully able.
I'm a bit on overload at present which leaves little time for anything else, plus I have to deal with preparing a document that I am loathe to do but am required to.
As the months go by I expect to be returning to a path that leaves little time for anything else, so I am trying to make the most of the time I have available now.
I'll be keeping an eye on you, keep up the good work, you write well and very clearly and present your work and illustrative images well.
I love Chess so I loved Geri, but really don't keep up with movies and such.
Till we meet again.
katyzzz!
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
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Anyway, good luck ith the software, it might seem scary to start, but it will get easy real fast once you get the hang of it. Maybe I learned faster becase I had too much time which I spent in front of it, but sitll, anyone can really do it. It really isn't all that it's cracked up to be. You don't need a maths degree or anything.