Artistically Challenged

jeramy79

Hi guys,

If any of you guys have read any of my previous posts you'll know that I have absolutely zero artistic abilities at all. I've tried my hand at Maya and 3DS, but I really suck! With that being said, would any of you guys suggest a program like ZBrush or Mudbox for someone like me? I'm a decent programmer and am currently learning HeroScript and UDK script, but I'd like to be able to throw a few of my own 3D models into the mix to give me something to look at and play with while I'm scripting. and I don't want them to look like crap, lol.

What would you guys suggest?

Thanks,
Jeramy

Joseph Silverman

Learn to draw, or use someone else's premade art.

Mudbox or zbrush are going to introduce MORE technical challenges if you dont have your fundamentals.

No shame in not being an artist -- im told programmers get more money and women anyway!

MadnessImport

How would you say you suck at the apps exactly? Or have Zero artistic abilities? Don't you day dream or get lost in thought when listening to your favorite Music? or does the programs just seem to complicated to use for getting an idea out?

Barbarian

If you believe that you have no ability then that will become your reality. Maya and Max are tools and you cannot produce much with either until you understand basic operations, shortcuts, and how to create something in 3D within them. ZBrush is a digital sculpting program and you should learn to sculpt in clay (there are many good resources for learning to do so). Did you not have fun playing with clay and making stuff as a kid?

Trying to find a software solution is similar to a poor golfer buying the latest fad in golf clubs ("these new graphite-enhanced, NASA technology-based micro ridge clubs are just the trick") or someone that thinks the latest exercise fad gizmo will help them pack on muscle quicker.

You should seek the solution from within (not without). Find a reference, open Maya, and make an object look like that reference. If it doesn't, delete it, note what worked and what didn't, and make it again. Repeat x hundred times until you get it right. Obstacles only exist in your mind.

My background is in programming, math, and physics. In answer to above poster--yes programmers get paid more, but I started learning the artistic side because writing code just doesn't satisfy the desire to create art and actually make and texture the objects that go into the game. It is rewarding to program, but for me it was not enough.

Zombie Acorn

Can you draw? I don't find 3d studio Max or maya to be intuitive to artists at all until they fully learn them. ZBrush is more so but getting the assets into game ready form might be the challenge. If you sat a sculptor in front of Maya they likely wouldn't be able to do much, in zbrush they would likely be able to sculpt something at the very least.

jeramy79

@Madness, Barbarian, Zombie

I can use the programs just fine when following video tutorials from Digital-Tutors, but when it comes to actually creating things from my head I just can't do it.

I used to be able to draw somewhat when I was a kid, but now I can't draw to save my life.

Zombie Acorn

I think you might suffer from a lack of planning prior to sitting down. If you get something in your head, draw it out and then break it down before even sitting down to model. I am a programmer too and the same principles apply in that field. You don't just sit down in front of an ide with no planning and expect a masterpiece of software.

Think of an idea, jot it out, break the forms down, get reference and then model it out.

Snacuum

I used to be able to draw somewhat when I was a kid, but now I can't draw to save my life.

90 percent of people who don't consider themselves artists have that past. There is a thread here somewhere about conventional art skills, there are good tutes and books to read like "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" and many others listed in that thread. You don't have to become a conventional art master and do spectacular concept art and the like, but you will get a lot of basic understanding that makes all art easier.

Also you say you can do tutes fine but I'm assuming with your experience you have followed basic tutes in how to operate in the program effectively? Really now you should get tutes that expressly teaching you particular techniques and workflows so you know not just how to make what you want - but how to proceed making what you want.

Fomori

Well I would start off trying to build more mechanical things straight from blueprints. Like a tank, plane, something like that. If you're decent with the modelling software it shouldn't be a problem.

Stay away from organic stuff and characters. You don't need to be good at art just to trace/copy the blueprint of a tank or something. So I would start by improving your hard surface modelling skills, but also just get into drawing and improving your observational skills as well.

jeramy79

Thank you for all your suggestions. I'll definitely follow them.

MadnessImport

Id like to suggest that you find some inspiration to.... create.

Like watch Movies or More T.V, Comics or even Anime to help get some creative ideas flowin if you cant in-vision anything to make.

Like if i were to watch or look at anything Sci-Fi i would get ideas to do something artistic involving sci-fi.

Noodle!

But aside from throwing some models in, do you WANT to be able to create these things? We're talking about a serious investment in time here and from what I gather you actually want to script (and program?).

jeramy79

@noodle! I'd love to be able to create my own art. Everytime I see something I always wish I had that talent. I also love programming. I'm a bit of a dreamer I guess.

Noodle!

dreams are good

pior

You just have to realize that at one point or another, every artist once was in the situation you are in. The only variable is when in ones life this stage occurs : the younger one is, the less one cares about the judgement of others. And at some point, one's own judgement and tendency to look at others too much for comparison becomes one's worse enemy.

Just start doing it if you like it! It's just a lot of work, and a lot of pleasure when something "clicks". There is no such thing as talent - it's just about learning new things everyday ...

Del

pior wrote: »

You just have to realize that at one point or another, every artist once was in the situation you are in.

^ This. So goddamn much.

Chimp

Yep. just pick up a notebook and sketch from life for 4 months, post everything you sketch in the sketchbook forum and we'll critique it. might also want to check out sites like http://www.urbansketchers.org/ for inspirational work.

a solid foundation in real art will make your digital stuff all the better. the wacom is just another type of paintbrush if you see what i mean, you still need to learn the foundations.

GOOD LUCK. get posting your stuff!

Anchang-Style

I dont know for others but i also couldn't draw my way out of apaper bag, still i would blame that a lot on school education. I can do perfect collages of leaves but i got no clue how to sketch properly, because i never got taught how to, but i want to learn it, there are technics to everything and everyone had to learn them in the past. As soon as you figure out what you can do with your abilities, maybe you get new inspirations.