Software - Where to begin after graduation?
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Hello everyone ^^ my names Jessi Enriquez and I am going to be a graduate of 3d animtion in about 8 months. So far I've done fine on the student software provided by autodesk and zbrush my school offers. I am getting close to graduation and I am thinking about the future. I have started to research autodesk prices and I have to say im extremely daunted by them so I have a few questions.
1. What programs should I focus on affording first straight out of college?(I am thinking in terms of building a portfolio off freelance work)
2. Should I not worry about freelance and just work on projects I can within the education license I still have in order to build up my portfolio?
3. How do people afford autodesk's prices and how are people coping with the loss of perpetual licenses? Should I try to grab one while I still can?
thank you guys so much for taking a look at my post any feedback I was appreciate so very much ^^!
1. What programs should I focus on affording first straight out of college?(I am thinking in terms of building a portfolio off freelance work)
2. Should I not worry about freelance and just work on projects I can within the education license I still have in order to build up my portfolio?
3. How do people afford autodesk's prices and how are people coping with the loss of perpetual licenses? Should I try to grab one while I still can?
thank you guys so much for taking a look at my post any feedback I was appreciate so very much ^^!
Replies
Things like the Quixel suite and Substance Designer/Painter are very affordable.
As far as Free and 100% Legal for all purposes goes, there's Blender.
I personally use the subscription based method of Max although it is expensive for someone right out of college at $200 a pop, although you should work that cost into whatever freelance jobs you get. If you work at an actual studio they usually provide the software.
Personally I'm interested in finding some time to learn modo after work since it's half the price of what max/maya retail at and is perpetual.
This. 100%.
Free
Unreal Engine 4
Blender
For cheap software - Look at and do free trials for
Substance Designer/Painter - Through Substance Live Indie it's $20 a month for 16 months. But sometimes it goes on sale on Steam during Steam sales.
Modo Indie
3d Coat
Marmoset Toolbag
2. Don't use educational software for freelance. You can use indie software, but make sure you read the agreements and limitations.
3. Don't try to buy professional versions of Autodesk software before you are working in the industry, Modo Indie and Maya LT make more sense. And there's always Blender.
2 what ZacD said, but if you are fresh out of school you may want to bolster your portfolio before doing freelance. and if you are doing work just on your portfolio educational is all you need
#3. I subscribed to maya Lt for a year with the intention of selling stuff on the unreal and unity market place, and eventually save up for a full version of modo. but then (thankfully) my internship turned into a full time job, and I have done absolutely nothing to sell due to being too tired when i get home and confusion on how my non-compete clause in my contract works. will probably talk to management later when i find more time. But I do not intend to rent max or maya perpetually giving autodesk money for updates that rarely improve or make the software more stable.
Anything on Steam usually goes on sale once during the holidays, so I would wait and see what happens with Substance there.
A lot of people see ZBrush or 3D Coat as an investment. Pixologic has yet to charge for an upgrade and once you own 3D Coat, it's about $60 for the new versions, which you'd pay for a AAA game anyway.
It mostly comes down to what your priorities really are.
What kind of industry are you getting into?
If you get a freelance gig, subscribe to the Autodesk software for however long it takes to finish the job.