[AllanonVFX]

Hi everyone,
One year ago, I enrolled with one of the biggest online schools/databases.
During this period, I've tried lots of different paths and have finally understood that Matte Painting and Digital Environment is the right path for me and I would like to enter the film sector.
At the moment, I have basic knowledge of modeling and texturing in Maya, Mudbox, Zbrush, Mari, Houdini, AE and Nuke; a better knowledge of Photoshop and Vue; and advanced knowledge of photography and photographic composition.

I've read and written a lot of posts in different forums but I still have some doubts:
*Maya is the film industry standard and the most useful for finding a high-level job. On the other hand Cinema 4D is easier to learn and has an in-built Camera Projection tool.
I've also read that it is becoming more and more popular in the film industry and some of the biggest names in Matte painting use it.
My question is: would it be better to stick with Maya on switch to/add cinema 4D to my portfolio?
If you tell me to stick with Maya, how can I overcome its lack of Camera Projection tool?
*My idea would be to learn Photoshop, Maya/C4D, ZBrush/MudBox, Vue and Nuke, is it right?
*Please could you tell me which essential techniques I will need to master in Photoshop, Maya/C4D, Mudbox/ZBrush, VUE and Nuke in order to get a job as a matte painter and digital environment?
*As I want to enter into films, some people have advised me to learn Mari. What do you think about this?
*In your opinion, would it be useful for me to understand perspective and learn free hand drawing?

Any additional information, pointer or advice that you can give me would be greatly appreciates.
Thank you so much.

[Zentrope]

I don't understand why people start a debate about software's and tools..
Which Software is better?
______ vs _______Software?

You will never find a solution out of that.Fans will be fans but we are professionals or Professionals to be..

Now as per your question...Cinema 4D is just a tool like Maya and it is your own choice to choose the best one that will work for you.I personally haven't used Cinema 4D and don't know much about built-in Camera projection tools(what kind of tool) but I have done some camera projection stuff on Maya few years ago.And I only remember some fractions of it that required some camera setup data,some modeling for projecting with camera Animation and tweaking stuff in Photoshop/AE or any Compositing package.
Camera projection can be done in any 3D package even in compositing packages like AE,Nuke,Fusion etc..
It's a method of mapping 3D points to a 2D plane..That's it!

People can use Cinema 4d or Maya or Any other package.
In Movies more people use Maya than C4D but C4D is more famous in Motion graphics.

And more than software or tools you require the skills..
Perspective and Free hand drawing is the most important aspect for a Matte Painter!!
So Please fix it if you want to sustain in the Industry!
You never know which new software will be there when you finish up with Mari or any other package..Be Proactive

[AllanonVFX]

Hy Zentrope,
first of all, thank you for your advice.
It wasn't my intention to start a software war.
I only wanted to find out which main software programs were used in the movie sector to help me find a job.
In fact my question was understand which ability I would need in 3D package / compositing package and Photoshop to enter the industry as a matte painter / 3D environment artist.
I will take on board your advice about perspective free hand and being proactive!

[Zentrope]

I know that was not your intention..
So as per your questions..Here are some answers below:-

There are studios and Production houses that use their own In-house software packages and even Customized versions of similar software's like Maya etc.(eg:-Disney,etc)

For example Mari was an In-house software package in studios like WETA etc and later was released in public..And now you find people talking about Mari!
The most Important ability for a Matte Painter is to Know the traditional stuff like perspective and Drawing and also Color sense..
And rest of the software or tools will not matter to you later on!
Just Study