Starting Fresh (Again) Software/Tool Question.
Hello all, long time forum and art observer -- first time posting! I had a question for the community in terms of software and how often I should upgrade and keep to the current models. I haven't touched my 3D modelling software in a long time, so I was wondering if I should constantly be updating to the latest model in order to keep up with studio trends and tools. My current goal is to build up a portfolio and have something to show by summer time. This is a self deadline.
In terms of what I am working with, I have the following...
3D Studio Max 2012
Zbrush 4.0
Photoshop CS5
For perspective, I fell off the 3D bandwagon around 2010 after taking and finishing a course at Seneca college, not because the course was awful -- the industry at the time took a lot of hits and lots of studio had been closing, which in tern affected my choice in terms of career path. I also wasn't very confident in my skills as a newbie in the field of 3D and sort of gave up, even though I cannot see myself doing anything else. So here I am again to give it another shot, the only way to get better is to keep at it, right?
At this point in time, my goal is to get into the video game industry as a 3D environment artist. I was wondering if anyone knew of any good leads to start to look at in terms of tips and tutorials for that specific field. Or just overall tips for starting fresh. (Again) Keep in mind I know how to use the software I currently am working with, so learning to use the tools won't be an issue (for the most part). I'm looking more for tips in terms of modelling for game design in mind.
Thanks for reading!
In terms of what I am working with, I have the following...
3D Studio Max 2012
Zbrush 4.0
Photoshop CS5
For perspective, I fell off the 3D bandwagon around 2010 after taking and finishing a course at Seneca college, not because the course was awful -- the industry at the time took a lot of hits and lots of studio had been closing, which in tern affected my choice in terms of career path. I also wasn't very confident in my skills as a newbie in the field of 3D and sort of gave up, even though I cannot see myself doing anything else. So here I am again to give it another shot, the only way to get better is to keep at it, right?
At this point in time, my goal is to get into the video game industry as a 3D environment artist. I was wondering if anyone knew of any good leads to start to look at in terms of tips and tutorials for that specific field. Or just overall tips for starting fresh. (Again) Keep in mind I know how to use the software I currently am working with, so learning to use the tools won't be an issue (for the most part). I'm looking more for tips in terms of modelling for game design in mind.
Thanks for reading!
Replies
Absolutely update zbrush to the latest version you can.
Photoshop, you could probably go either way, but remember that CC is a subscription service; possibly worth just sticking to your copy of CS5. Nothing that you need to have in the new version anyway.
For 3dsmax, I don't use it right now, but a lot of Autodesks updates are minor, negligible or break things. Possibly update, but keep your old copy just in case and look into the actual differences before committing.
Good luck by the way, man. Kudos for keeping at it!
Cheers! Thank you for taking the time to read and reply. I'll look into updating my Zbrush!
I also use CS5 at work. It is more than enough, there are only two things in CS6 I prefer over CS5, the darker UI and the ability to Crt+J to duplicate entire groups, whereas you could only do that to specific layers before. Super super nitpicky.
I do agree zbrush only gets better with each revision, and they have made great attempts to keep it that way. Only releasing patches and updates when there is a legit reason to. zbrush 4r7 is pretty cool. it is the last major update before zbrush 5 comes out supposedly.
Other than that, not much has changed tool wise. the Quixel suite has come around since, and has made a HUGE impact on the workflow of texturing for a good portion of the industry, with PBR becoming the main build of materials now.
This. The last service pack make it less worse (but no one freaking update those) all the weird and random selection issue are fix, but still (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
I'll have to look into that one, much appreciated. Thank you for the tips and replying!
Noted, looks like I'll stick with the 2012 edition of Max then. Good to get an idea from the rest of the community. Thank you.
I'd only really recommend it if you're on windows 8 or something, since i think there's some pen related reasons. I need to check up on that though.
Quixel suite is good, imo I prefer substance painter. It's far more fun and feels more artistic in comparison.
* latest ZB Update, since you already use ZB
* Quixel Suite, because it's the hot thing to use for texturing
* since you're an env artist it can't hurt to look into PBR and a Gen 4 engine: UE4
I'll have to look into engines for sure, especially importing my future assets and tinkering with it all. Thank you for feedback, looks like I'll really have to pick up Quixel, never used it before.