Student: Need help starting
I am a high school sophomore and I would like to receive any advice I can get. I have an idea that a scientist fused the Dna of a Neon tetra (fish) and an iguana and stands like a human. With this idea I would like to first at least try to draw and create this creature in a 3d program. If I can accomplish that I would like to see if I could make an animation with it also. If there is ANY advice or help you can give to me please give it. Thanks in advance!
Replies
If you know the basics, I'd check out the wiki: http://wiki.polycount.com/
If not, maybe check out some Digital-tutors tutorials, or SimplyMaya.com, et cetera.
There are some nice tutorials out there for beginners, so just go to google and search! You'll find plenty of stuff that will help.
Also, get lots of reference for fish and iguanas, and people too.
if you do, you should pick a 3d package and start watching tutorials for beginners. it might take weeks maybe months, intensively. and sometimes you're gonna think ur learning things unrelated to ur project, but IMO it's very important to have good foundation.
after u r comfortable with the basics, find tutorials on character or creature modeling. this is naturally more advanced, as ur gonna deal with (basic)anatomy, edge-loop, topology, etc, and thats only for modeling. u can start applying the knowledge from tutorials to ur project and see how it goes.
but if u just wanna see ur idea comes to life without necessarily doing it yourself, u can commission someone, maybe one of the fellows here.
If your goal is to just see it made then you probably want to work with someone that already knows the programs well and can get it done in a week or two.
If your goal is to learn 3D then you should probably start with something less ambitious and work your way up. Downloading the trial of the software either max or Maya would get you started. From there I would crack open the tutorials that come with them and start working through the basics.
Learn to walk before you run. You'll probably be like me and finish 10% of the projects you start, but as long as you keep working at it, refining your workflow, and learning new techniques, your skills will advance. You are among giants here, you'll definitely learn a lot just by reading threads and listening.
PS: I want to praise the OP by pointing out that, even as a sophomore in high school, can actually write intelligent, concise sentences. Good on you. You'll find you're receive more help online that way.
I'm studying at University, and only just getting the hang of this stuff lol. I feel I'm still very very rubbish but I'll get there eventually - just practice