[AZelenski94]

I have been interested in 3d and 2d (2d is what i do primarily because im better at it) for the past year or two. Problem is I have no clue where to start with 3d. The programs are crazy complex and I have no clue what im doing in them. Mind helping me out? I have blender and 3ds max 2010 - Are those good starting programs? How should I go about learning the programs? And tutorial sets that seem to cover all the important stuff? How do you generate ideas and all that? Just general help

[DokDok]

Hi Alex, as a recent complete beginner in 3D I found it great starting off with Blender and then taking in some of the videos on blendtuts.com. Once you get some of the interface stuff sorted its a quick learning curve!
Sculptris is also very decent as a starting point for organic sculpting, but its a lot of money to upgrade to zbrush or mudbox once you get good.
Hope this helps!

[AZelenski94]

Ive got 3ds max 2010 - student edition and im working on that . Blender is good but it has some issues still

[dwalk02]

thts good concept... i made a similar one but different theme..search for book of life at my channel

http://3d-walkthrough-rendering.outs...ices-india.com

[nickfredin]

We're setting up a new site with tons of tips and tricks being posted weekly. We'll be gearing our tutorials to beginners such as yourself as well as all other levels. Keep an eye for tutorials and free rigs plus tips and tricks that aren't just your standard tutorials and are really geared towards getting into/being in the industry. Hope you guys enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/user/thecgspectrum?feature=mhee

www.cgspectrum.com
__________________
Nick

[Howrangi]

I am new also and have no program to start with. I plan on using this knowledge to produce 3D renders of Helmets, Armor, and Movie props. Is there a beginner program that i should use or should i just go the 3D max or other high end program to use? I am making these prop right now but i am using other peoples 3D renders (with there permission of course) to create these awesome items. Example of these pieces are like Halo or Star Wars armor and weapons. Also thank you in advance.

[arttorney]

What kind of computer do you have and are you a hobbyist or are planning to be pro someday?

By computer I mean both OS and horsepower (64 bit or 32, cores, RAM, Hz). The more powerful programs need a pretty beefy computer.

If you are preparing yourself for a job then Maya or 3dsMax are probably the way to go.

[Howrangi]

Sorry I should have posted that stuff. I have a Intel 9550 quad core 2.8 gb processor with 8 gb ram, running windows 7 prof, and have 2 EVGA 560ti videocards running in SLI. I have a 3tb hard drive too. Does videocards have anything to do with Rendering? I do plan on making another computer for strictly movie rendering and 3d rendring. so i am looking at a I7 with a max of 32 or 64 gb of ram. maybe 2 upgraded video cards in SLI.

As far as the professional aspect of this not my intentions but it is not off the board. right now i just need a program that will help me make my 3D renders for props and possibly in the future movies?

[Howrangi]

if it helps. This is exactly what i would like to do. for my 3D rendering. I could put this (Not this exact one) in the program i have to be able to make a molding and then make the finished item. Then wear it.

http://cghub.com/images/view/75678/

[arttorney]

OK cool. That computer shouldn't choke unless you get really outrageous on the polygons.

At Blender.org you can get a free program that will model, sculpt, texture, render, animate, composite, and it has a game engine. Too good to be true? Not so fast. The user interface takes a little time to get used to. Buy a Book called "The Essential Blender" edited by Roland Hess ($45). The user interface is loaded with quick keys and once you get used to them you will be able to work very quickly. For the most part I am having good success treating the Hess book as my bible. In all you will be out only about $45 but will have a program that will do everything you need. The commercial programs cost much more. You will need to save your money for the printing.

Later, if you ever want to transition to a commercial program, you will then find those interfaces to be relatively easy since you will already understand the 3d concepts.

Blender is not generally used in commercial pipelines, which is why I asked about your job plans. You could work with it because it will export to customary formats, one of which the 3D printers should be able to use (Wavefront .obj, Collada .dae., 3d studio .3ds, Autodesk .fbx). I put Blender things into the commercial program Vue 9 Complete using Collada files for example. Most everybody seems to be able to deal with Wavefront files.

SketchUp doesn't do spheres, so it is definitely out for helmets.

Art of Illusion uses Java, and Java is a major security issue these days.

[Howrangi]

SSSAAWWWEEEEEEEEEETTTTTT!!!!!!! Thank you sir. I just found the book on Amazon and bought it. I will post my finished products when i learn it of course. Thanks again.

[arttorney]

You're welcome. Happy hunting.