Where to begin?
I'm sure this has been asked many times. Perhaps a proper sticky should be in order?
I'm new to 3D Modeling and I don't know where to begin. I'm using Blender and watching their intro series to the program. Where do I go from there? Which tutorials do you recommend?
I'm an absolute beginner to 3D Modeling. Is there a Beginner's Handbook somewhere that tells you what you should do?
I hope I'm not being too 'stupid' by asking these questions. I just really do not know where to begin, other than starting with the Blender videos.
I want to be able to make something like this one day.
I'm new to 3D Modeling and I don't know where to begin. I'm using Blender and watching their intro series to the program. Where do I go from there? Which tutorials do you recommend?
I'm an absolute beginner to 3D Modeling. Is there a Beginner's Handbook somewhere that tells you what you should do?
I hope I'm not being too 'stupid' by asking these questions. I just really do not know where to begin, other than starting with the Blender videos.
I want to be able to make something like this one day.
Replies
After that I learned how to make a real world object, a high poly barrel in my case.
Then how to make the barrel low poly.
Then the fun part: UV mapping (can be infuriating at first) :poly142:
After I had my low poly uv mapped it was on to high poly to low poly baking. Taking the detail from the high poly barrel and applying it to the low poly barrel with a normal map, I use xnormal for high poly to low poly baking.
Once you are confident with the above you will be surprised how quickly you can create more complex objects and remember it's all just a process with a large learning curve.
http://www.renegadecommunity.com/page.php?link=mod_docs1
I was a real addict to the C&C games and C&C Renegade got me into 3d modelling, rigging and animating.
And now, 11 years later, I work at a company for almost 4 years where we do Virtual Reality and Architectural Visualizations.
What I have always told people: Find an easy to learn program, for me it was GMax, it has gotten me into 3ds max and never changed since, even learned MaxScript along the way to perfection
I have to agree with repete, those are the exact same steps I did for learning how to 3d model!
Learn the hotkeys. Blender has a good set of hotkeys built in, its super fast to work if you know them fluently.
Blender has a lot of other functions that can allow you to get a handle on all the basic aspects of 3d, like a sculpting mode, animation, rendering/compositing, materials and baking. Of course, its not the best at everything, so eventually you'll probably want to branch out to other apps like xnormal, zbrush, marmoset etc.
One thing I've found in modeling/sculpting is that simplest is usually the best, for many things, so understanding basic fundamentals is really key. Like, even a complex gun is going to be made primarily using the same basic tools over and over.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=blender+3d+beginner+tutorial
Also create something simple such as a wine glass or something very basic (gun suppressor).
It may not get you from beginner to professional within seconds but it's a step.
One thing which I have found out is too watch other tutorials but for other software.
So for example once you get to grips with using blender and you feel like you understand the principle/ terminology look at 3DS Max, Maya tutorials.
While they won't be for the software you'll be using (blender) you may pick up some tricks/ tips on how to do things (topology, texturing ...etc).
Why not just use youtube, its full of resources and for free over that. If your looking for modeling type "modeling in blender", "texturing in photoshop" "uving in 3dsmax" etc, etc, etc.
Like Peanut said, there's some great stuff for free out there on youtube/tutorial sites.
If you WERE going to pay for one, I think Digital Tutors is pretty good. Eat 3D and 3D Motive are great resources too. They're the only ones I really know of because I get access to them on my course.
Just one more question. With my schooling, I got the Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite, Ultimate 2013. (Check link for included software.)
Obviously I'm not at the 3D portion in my school. I won't be until next month and that's only 3D Foundations. Two months after that is when I'll be starting Model Creation, but I want a jump-start.
My question is this: Would it be better to learn Blender, or 3DS Max?
Obviously, I'll be using Photoshop and Autodesk for my school, but is it easier to learn Blender and then transfer to 3DS? Or just start with 3DS?
Also depends on what kind of field you're going into. Some programs have stronger presence in each field. Mind you, a software is simply a tool. Regardless of the software, you'll learn the fundamentals that will be applied to any software you use. The tools may differ, but the principles will remain the same.
General gist I get (not absolute):
Arch Viz: 3ds Max
Film: Maya
Television: Maya
Video Games: 3ds Max & Maya
Definitely. I don't think any other program has any presence. I left it out simply because well, I didn't think the OP was thinking about working in Japan. There are studios that do use Softimage in North America/Europe, either fully or just for Softimage's ICE system.