Want to learn more about shaders :?

holygon

Hey guys, so basically I've decided I want to start to get a grip on shaders, done a bit of looking around but found its hard to find stuff that explains the basics from the ground up eg navigating your way around Maya's hypershader and what not.

Basically I'm just after any information on shaders I can get, and where to start, basic tutorials or any advice would be great

Thanks for any help

p.s I'm using maya + mudbox

achillesian

http://www.digitaltutors.com/09/training.php?cid=94&pid=3477
I think this is a pretty good one, directed at shaders specifically for games however, also talks about implementation in XNA. The 3d app used in this lesson is maya however, and talks about bump and spec maps.

Digital tutors also has lessons called detailing and texturing a next gen game model in zbrush. Although there is zbrush specific things in that lesson, the other 3d app they bounce between is maya.

CrazyButcher

as you mentioned hypershader, do you mean offline shaders or real-time?

Xoliul

Get cracking with ShaderFX. I think it's the single best way to get into it as a non-technical person. You can gradually work your way from mastering node logics towards actually reading and editing the HLSL or CGFX code.

Yes, you're using Maya, and yes ShaderFX is for Max. Shouldn't matter: Max has way better support for shaders, and you won't be doing anything else than viewing stuff in the viewport, so just install Max.

holygon

CrazyButcher wrote: »

as you mentioned hypershader, do you mean offline shaders or real-time?

Well there the problem lies, I don't even know the difference, haha...

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

@achillesian Thanks for the website suggestion I'll look into it.

@Xoliul Thankyou for the program suggestion I'll definitely download it and have a crack at it.