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View Full Version : GNOMON videos vs. taking class

dman99
09-17-2002, 06:12 PM
I was looking ino taking a Maya class. Any class you can find is generally $1500 and up. I'm not sure how they come up with this pricing but it sucks for all of us that want to learn. The more intensive classes are a lot more expensive ($2000+).

Now, considering you can get all the GNOMON videos (22 DVDs + 14 videos) for $2150 including the new ones they will be releasing Sept 23rd, which seems like a better investment? The problm with a class is that once its over thats it. With the videos you can watch them as many times as you want until you grasp a concept. Also..it seems like the videos go a lot more in depth than a beginner/intermediate class would. My only worry with the GNOMON videos is that some of them may be outdated...while I'm sure the techniques still work, there may be better ways to do the same things especially with the release of 4.5. For example does the intro Maya video cover any features that were introduced in version 4?

The benefits of a class obviously is that you have someone there to ask questions to but I figure there are so many great Maya forums including this one that it shouldn't be hard to get even the most difficult questions answered.

Anyways..I just wanted to hear people's thoughts on this.

Thanks.
kheemo
09-17-2002, 06:35 PM
I think you will learn faster with a teacher that if you try to learn by yourself .. although I'm sure that dvds ands videos could help a lot
matty429
09-18-2002, 05:04 AM
Videos don't answer questions....

Gnomon is not the only school....

http://studioarts.tv
studiomiguel
09-18-2002, 02:07 PM
Class is a great solution if you've got plenty of time and a good instructor. I found that after I got past the basics a lot of the questions I had for my instructors didn't get answered either because I was asking the wrong questions or they didn't have experience with the solution I needed.
Video is a solution for the long run in my opinion. You can always go back to review something you've forgotten and your notes are set in stone. If you've got the cash and tenacity to learn, go with the videos.
As for the cost of class, there are a couple of community colleges in my area that offer maya at a lot less than $2000. But I suppose you get what you pay for.
magnoborgo
09-19-2002, 02:36 PM
If you have a good local school at your city take classes they are better for the learning curve/doubts/etc . If not, the videos will make the way.
studiomiguel
09-19-2002, 05:41 PM
I had a thought reading the last post...... classes are an absolute must if you are trying to learn 3d and by extension Maya. But if you are an old initiate to the field and understand the concepts, needing only do pick up a new toolset, then My opinion is pick up the videos. Great for learning where the buttons are. But if you are still wrestling with z space and UVs then a class is absolutely essential.


I think.

m
tezi
09-16-2005, 06:50 PM
i think u can mix both the ideas n get the benefit.
check out few classes at gud centres/institutes n u u like it continue else come home n buy the set of dvd's frm Gnomon n Alias etc and have full blown experience.
azshall
09-16-2005, 10:23 PM
Videos don't answer questions....

Gnomon is not the only school....

2 fine points..

Yes, taking a class will definately get obscure questions answered..

as well, I would like to say that ... Gnomon seems to be one of the top schools.

az
solarflare
09-16-2005, 10:58 PM
Check out www.3dbuzz.com (http://www.3dbuzz.com). They have had an online course called "Maya Fundamentals", and in the coming months will have an advanced Modeling in Maya course, a character TD: Maya Rigging course, and a Houdini course. These courses cost $250, teach you a ton (at least the Maya Fundamentals did), and are the best of both worlds. The fundamentals course was great...80 hours of content, and many people who went to school in animation said they learned more in this class than at their schools. Plus its not only a class, it is training videos that have a ton more content than an equally priced Gnomon bundle.
Dialector
09-17-2005, 02:54 AM
I think in the long run you will get more out of videos than a class. That is assuming you will put 110% into working with the videos. I had to learn Maya on the Job and just used videos. I think there is simply more information per dollar with videos, and you can review them anytime.
tezi
09-17-2005, 06:48 PM
yeah i agre wth dialector dat video classes cme handy in long run
but few classes ..depends on person 2 person..need personal attention..once the flow comes to mind then videos can b very handy
rock
09-17-2005, 09:44 PM
I think if there's such a course, you should enroll in Learning How To Learn. Then get the videos. It's better that way. Give us a fish and we can feed only one man; but give us a fishing net, then we can feed a whole village.
mustique
09-17-2005, 11:07 PM
Check out www.3dbuzz.com (http://www.3dbuzz.com). They have had an online course called "Maya Fundamentals", and in the coming months will have an advanced Modeling in Maya course, a character TD: Maya Rigging course, and a Houdini course. These courses cost $250, teach you a ton (at least the Maya Fundamentals did), and are the best of both worlds. The fundamentals course was great...80 hours of content, and many people who went to school in animation said they learned more in this class than at their schools. Plus its not only a class, it is training videos that have a ton more content than an equally priced Gnomon bundle.

The 82 hour content of that class is now available on 3dbuzz.com on a 2 DVD set.
Check out the details of the projects. For $249 bucks you can't go wrong.
BigSky
09-18-2005, 12:07 AM
The good thing about a class is that you are with a group of like minded people. The opportunities/freindships/future developments which this supports are often overlooked. A group gives access to lots of teachers (the whole group - if the teacher knows how to teach) as well.
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