Hrm where to start?

[Array]

This book is quite good and covers all of the basics:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201771381/qid=1023664719/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/103-3444683-2021408

[stunndman]

maya's documentation does contain tutorial chapters - Essentials, Instant Maya - that's how i started without any prior CG knowledge - i think they are quite complete and useful for getting a start

[DrAdamDinosaur]

Have you bought maya yet? Wouldnt it be worth holding off a couple of months for them to release 4.5? Apparently it will be worth the wait.

[Array]

DrAdam- it depends on whether or not you plan on getting a maintanance plan. You could get Maya 4.0 now, and get a free upgrade when 4.5 comes out if you have the plan. Personally I dont think Maya 4.5 is a big deal....should be more like 3.8......

[Jozvex]

I've talked to a guy from AW recently and I reckon 4.5 is gonna be great!!!

Though that's just my opinion.

[iC4]

The best way so start is to watch buzzs video training magazine!

go to www.3dbuzz.com and sign up for the free maya VTMs, also the shipping is free!

For me the videos are much better than any book

[Tob]

From what I've heard the difference between Complete and Unlimited is going to be more apparent. I don't know if that includes moving tools from one package to another, or if all the cool stuff (like liquides) will only find its way into Unlimited.
If I where you, I would wait and see what the structure of the new packages will be. IMHO, Maya without SubD, for example, is just not worth it. Most of the other stuff (if you are a beginner) you can do without.

[-wT-]

The best place to start eh? Well RTFM for a gods sake! :D

Maya's manual is just superb, I've got so much knowledge of Maya trough it, and only got some workflow tips from tutorials, while the procedures on how to actually do stuff came from the manuals... read 'em... carefully...

For an example, I've used Maya for some years now, and just a few days ago I opened the Maya: Essentials manual (AKA the manual for beginners... ewww ;) :D) and found out yet another way to manipulate stuff more powerfully! (The virtual manipulator handles activated by shift + MMB + the direction of the wanted axis)

Now when I think about it, the only part what the manual wasn't it's usual thorough, was the rigid-/softbody part... or then again maybe it's just me being too stupid to understand 'em :)


PS. Read the Maya manuals ;)

[Array]

Jozvex- ive seen the beta of 4.5....I myself, and everyone else who has seen the beta (and who is not part of the Alias hype machine) all agree that it is a total letodwon. The only new features are fluids and a CPS ripoff. Big deal.

[svenip]

what do you expect from the new version 4.5 ??? don't you mean fluids are a big deal ??? i don't miss anything in maya. there is always a way to get things done.

[Array]

Thats just one feature, and the functionality of it is iffy. Look at the differances between xsi 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0. That is a good benchmark as to what version revisions should be like.

[svenip]

there were also major steps in maya's early versions. it's an almost complete package :) i don't mean this offensive don't misunderstand me

it's just a cut time now for maya. all the closings etc. the major change in the whole background may be one reason.

sure, and you are right at this, there may be some things missing, but if you look at the overall package maya is one of the leading (especially for me it is, and i know softimage and xsi very good too, believe me) packages.

the fluids can do more then you may expect now. gas is also fluid and so on. there will be complete new ways to create particle effects etc. sure all are waiting for a "true" mental ray integration (not at least me :) ) but unfortunality this is mental images work.
so at the end let's say "ok, it's a half (4.5) upgrade) and let's wait what the changes in the company and all that stuff will bring us for the future. my opinion is that it is a good way to get new creative persons and new inventors to start new from alias.

untill version 5 or maybe a complete new package let's look at what we have and get the best out of it :beer:

[Array]

Ok question though...do you think Maya 4.0 was such a big step above 3.0 to warrant a whole new version #?

One thing im personally waiting for from maya is true built in renderman integration. I hate having to pay 2000$ for a renderer, and then another 2000$ for a plugin to get it working with the package I want.....

[svenip]

ok version numbers could be better choosen i really agree with you :)

would be really nice to have renderman build in i totally agree with you. but then they also should build in mental ray really without paying for them more then the normal package.

but it's a dream ;)

at least they have changed their prices dramaticly and this is a first step. you now save a lot of money and can put it in mental ray and renderman.

what do you think which one is the better one ? or what do you like to work with most ?

[Array]

I prefer renderman simply because it is a much more widely accepted standard than MentalRay, as there are now allmost a dozen renderman compliant renderers out there all which can render from the same file format. It would make sense for maya to build in a RenderMan output feature simply because renderman is so widely used in so many studio's production pipelines. Of course, it WOULD also be cool if Mental Ray suddenly became renderman compliant :applause:

[svenip]

yes i agree. it's a very nice renderer with good results and a nice look (which is the biggest problem of the maya renderer).
so let's write a letter to AW we want Renderman build in :thumbsup:

[Array]

well....its not a matter of having renderman built in, but having maya be able to export to renderman. Renderman isnt really a renderer, its a standard invented and supported by pixar. PRMan is Pixar's renderman compliant renderer, as Entropy is Exluna's rederman compliant renderer and so on and so on.....So if maya can output to renderman, through the RIB (renderman interface bytestream) it can use ANY of those renderers. I also hear that Brazil may be renderman compliant, so when it ships, u can use it with MayaMan and MtoR.

[M4Dn355]

lol wow didnt expect to get so many responses :) Thanks to everyone who responded hehe ill check out 3dbuzz and ive sorta played with the quick start guide hehe cya round

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