[ISX]

I'm new to CG, and I can't draw that good.
I was wondering if any of you could recommend some books on Drawing/Sketching...

Then some books/Online Tutorials on:

Maya-Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced
Max-Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced
Photoshop-Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced
Illustrator-Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced
Painter-Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced
Zbrush-Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced

Thanks

[ February 02, 2002: Message edited by: ISX ]

[Sukhoi]

http://www.3dlinks.com/

Plenty of tutorils here.

Suhkhoi

[HawkOne]

Well, quite a request there ...

How about the easy part first, the different software you listed ... the beginner to intermediate stage is taken care of by the respective software manuals/documentation for all these products, the intermediate to advanced can be learned from generic books such as George Maestris Character Animation 1/2, Media Animation by John P Chismar (Newriders) and so on.

I also highly recommend looking into books on traditional animation, f.ex Kit Laybournes "The Animation Book", it contains so much useful information, and it also suggest books and websites and lots of other stuff. Storyboarding, common walk cycles, some case studies of different projects and software, fundamentals tools and techniques.

I suggest you learn the ropes first of the software you would like to use, and then look for the books to bring you to the next level. There are so many insiders guides and such books to the major software, and most of them either repeat more or less everything in the software manuals, and the little they add is hardly worth the read.

There are exceptions of course, but this is why you should learn the softwares own tutorials and manuals first, because it will help you sift out the crappy books later.

There are also a zillion sites for 3D artists and communities around the net for most software. The software websites usually have a bunch of links they find worthwhile. Highend3D.com is one of the top 3D communities with some of the best work online. There are many others. Check out the links from individual artists webpages, since these are often worthwhile too.

Maya - How-to's

Highend3d.com - book suggestions

Normally a search on Google with the software name and tutorial in the searchstring will turn up more sites than you can shake a stick at ... there are also some advice to be had from the archives right here ... especially regarding Photoshop.

Now, the bad news ... there are NO quick and easy way to learn how to draw, time and practice along with some essential advise that can be found in a whole host of threads here at Sijun for example, use the search feature.

The books about learning how to draw pretty much contains the same information. Some are nicer than others, and many just suck ... The only book I have on learning the basics are in Norwegian, so I cannot help you there. Since most artists would like to draw humans or humanoids, that is usually a good focus to work towards. Nature and animals (horses f.ex) are also essential. The more areas you would like to master, the more time you will have to invest.

Search for Loomis on this board, and you will find links to a full book focusing on the human body. The book link from Highend3D above also leads to good books in the drawing category.

That should do for now I think, you'll be busy for years learning all that stuff ...

Good luck ...

[ February 02, 2002: Message edited by: HawkOne ]

[sunraven0]

Hmmm...ok, heres my 2 cents:
I put some links to tutorials on my website @ http://www.sunravendesign.com/links.html
I pretty much put most of what is in my bookmarks there, so maybe it will help.

Here are some books that I have that have helped me:

the photoshop 6 wow! book
photoshop 6 down & dirty tricks
3d studio max 3 magic
3d studio max r3 f/x & design
3d studio max r3 in depth
modeling a character in 3ds max (by paul steed, the quake guy)
digital lighting & rendering
digital texturing & painting
the animators workbook
animation from script to screen
the anatomy coloring book
how to draw the human figure (famous artist school)

hope that gets ya started

[ISX]

Thanks for all the replies.
I'm gonna check out the book 'Drawing on the right side of the brain'.
I am not going to be spending $8000 on Maya, When the PE is out I'm going to download that (Or order it if it's a huge d/l)..Does that come with the documentation? I really doubt it will...

I think i'm going to by-pass max since Maya is Free (With watermarks though) and just learn that-Seems like more and more people use it now anyway...

So, any book recommendations? I've heard Learning Maya 4 is good.

Photoshop, I can probably learn a lot online on how to Do certain things, but I want to learn How to actually use the program.
Same with illustrator.

Thanks again

[ISX]

What about programming? I've heard "The only people that make money in the 'industry' are people who have amazing drawing abilities or people with programming knowledge"

Is MEL scripting similar to C++?

[ISX]

Bump

[ISX]

C++ is similar to MEL, so do you think I should try learning this too?

[sunraven0]

depends on what you want to do & what you like to do I guess. I've had to learn a few different programming language to get my degree & no one could pay me enough to program because I hate it. But...if programming is your thing, learn all you can.

[ISX]

Well, I want to work do 3D modeling, animation, and stuff like that.
So, the only thing i'd need the programming knowledge for would be maxscript and mel scripting (Which is very similar to C++, i've heard)...

Anyway, anyone have any other book recommendations?

[surferboi]

i suggest you narrow your list of intrests.

if you are inclined to take my opinion, i would say start with photoshop, if you really like drawing start with painter.
photoshop is a good cornerstone program just about anything cg has a good chance of passing through photoshop =)
if you have your heart set on learning 3d, pick one 3d app and stick to it, the better you learn one 3d app the easier it is to switch to another imo. anyhow
for learning maya use the videos, the books suck. www.aliaswavefront.com and gnomon workshop have serveral videos available that are both good and expensive.

anyhow sorry to cut it short but im outta time

[ISX]

Narrow it down? I've always been told; The better 3D artists (And the ones that get paid more) should be able to sketch/draw good or they should be able to program (Mel scripting or MaxScript).

I'm confused, so you say...
Work on my drawing skills, then go go photoshop, and then onto a 3D app?

[sunraven0]

I agree, you need to narrow it down a bit. Another idea is to research job descriptions on the web...and see what the requirements for the jobs are to get an idea of what you need to learn. Just wondering, how old are ya?

[ISX]

I'm 16; I really like working in 3D, I love strata.
What do you guys suggest? I'm definately gonna download Maya when the personal edition is out, so learning Maya is an option.

[ISX]

I looked at monster, like you suggested, for requirements for jobs...It looks like most require stuff like this:
Requirements:
The ideal candidate will have three years previous experience in creating 3D graphics. Knowledge of at least one 3D package is required, preferably MAYA, as well as an extensive knowledge of Photoshop. Some knowledge of HTML may be necessary. Bachelor�s degree in Fine Arts, Architecture or related field is preferred but not mandatory. CANDIDATE MUST SUBMIT PORTFOLIO OR DEMO REEL. Please submit to [email protected] or 10011 South Centennial Pkwy. #205, Sandy, UT 84070.
This position is located in Salt Lake City. No relocation assistance is provided.

Here's another one:
Are you ready to show your stuff and take the ultimate challenge? If you are a great Lead Animator and want to get in on the ground floor production of a AAA PlayStation 2 title, and work with a dynamic group, we have the opportunity for you. A new division of one of the leaders in the gaming industry is opening a location in San Francisco and is looking for the essential talent to build the team.

Requirements
Must have two years of PS2 experience
Must be talented, self-motivated, and inventive
Enjoy working in a close knit, dynamic group of software developers.
Must have experience in OO, C/C++, Unix/NT, 3DstudioMax, and Maya.

I assume they want C knowledge for MEL scripting, I don't think they would have a designer writing the actual game.

And one more:

****You will not be considered unless you MAIL samples of work in disk or video form to the HR Office listed below****NO EXCEPTIONS!


Job Summary
Develop characters, logos and reel symbols for gaming devices as well as develop screen layouts and interfaces for game screens. Create conceptual storyboards for focus groups

Qualifications Required
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree.

Experience:

Experience with drawing, composition, graphic design, logo design and color theory.

Experience with OS2 platform capabilities and restrictions including solid understanding of the graphics and programming implementation process.

Knowledge of current art styles and trends.
Knowledge of gaming industry helpful.
Knowledge of color palettes.

Skills & Abilities:
At a minimum, traditional art skills including drawing, composition, graphic design,logo design, and color theory.

Software skills; proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, Promotion-2D animation and compositing, Debabilizer- creating custom palettes, 3D software- 3DSMax or Lightwave.

Ability to produce artwork in a timely manner with top quality craftsmanship.

Strong character and graphic design skills and strong storyboarding techniques.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to communicate and work well with other departments.

Responsibilities
Provide storyboard art and graphics support to department; or work on game projects directing game artwork and styles; or produce games, which include directing art team on screen graphics, glass art, etc.

Develop characters and logos and reel symbols for gaming devices.
Develop screen layouts and interfaces for game screens.
Create conceptual storyboards for focus groups


This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive; it is intended to identify major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The incumbent may be requested to perform other job-related tasks and responsibilities than those stated above.

To me, it looks like you have to be pretty mult-talented..

[sunraven0]

you do have to be multi-talented, but when you are a beginner, its hard to learn everything at once. You are young, I suggest starting with the basics. Take some drawing classes & if you have photoshop, learn the basics of it...how to get around. Do some of the tutorials online. If you download maya, do the same. You can't animate a monster without knowing how to draw it, or at least trace a preliminary sketch in max from someone else. Planning on school after high school? In most cases thats where you learn the advanced stuff. Don't try to learn everything at once. Thats just my personal opinion & something that has worked for me.

[sunraven0]

Oh yeah, to animate & model you don't have to be the best artist in the world. You have to be able to get your ideas across & be able to take other peoples ideas to the next level. To do that, you need at least an understanding of basic art skills..you dont have to be able to pull a Picasso out of your ummm....hat

[ISX]

Yeah, I know. I'm not going to learn all those at once..

What I was asking was:

-What order should learn the skills/apps?
Drawing, then Photoshop, Then illustrator, then Maya/XSI/Max/A 3D app, etc.

And then, I was asking for sources to learn each skill/app..

Thanks again

[ISX]

I might go to college, not for sure. I might go to a university, a community college, or I might not even go at all. If it wasn't so expensive (Or I had money), then I would definately go.

[sunraven0]

i think art skills, photoshop, then a 3d program is probably a good sequence. At my school they started us with photoshop & max at pretty much the same time.
I've givin ya all the sources (books, links) that I have. Here is a link to some photoshop tutorials that one of my teachers wrote http://holodeck.st.usm.edu
Click digital imaging. They are pretty much beginner tutorials, but they are good to learn some basic things.