CGTalk - Advice for newbie

ok1n

05-20-2005, 12:06 PM

Hi guys!

New to this site, and am looking to start some CG of my own. However, I'm a total newbie to this kind of stuff. Any advice on how to get started, what programs to use etc. I generally like to learn as I go, rather than going through indepth tutorials... so something to get me started would be great :) Not sure whether this matters or not, but here is my PC specs to see if I can even achieve any CG art.

AMD64 3000+, Radeon 9600XT 256mb, 200gb hdd, 1gb DDR ram, ummm and a bunch of other things which are probably irrelevant.

mlmiller1983

05-20-2005, 04:28 PM

I'm am sorta of knew to this stuff. Based on my limited experience your video card may/maynot be able to run 3D programs like Maya. Some people get gaming cards to work with that program but I haven't. Also you will first have to buy the animation programs, as well as supporting software like Adobe Photoshop(essential to 3D animation) and maybe video editing software like Premiere Pro. If you want to take you animations even further and add special effects than programs like Adobe After Effects or Combustion will let you add some amazing stuff to your animation. As for as 3D animation software goes if your student then try to get an educational version of the softwre if you just learning it(you can't use it to make money). Student verisions of Photoshop CS, After Effects,Combustion, and Premiere Pro are also available. If you got questions on the following software go the respected forums here and ask question about them there. I hope this helps. Good Luck

stewartjones

05-20-2005, 04:35 PM

DrFx

05-20-2005, 04:39 PM

For most stuff 1 GB of RAM is pretty confortable, but 1.5 or 2 gig never hurt anyone! Remember, most CG programs are very RAM intensive! Otherwise, it seems like a good setup to me.

khemystri

05-20-2005, 07:51 PM

mlmiller1983

05-20-2005, 09:19 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but he stated 'CG'.

So he might not be interested in animation, or compositing etc!

This means that I will have to answer your question with another question, what sorta CG do you wanna create? Models, paintings etc.

Oh, and you don't need to have Photoshop if you create animations on the computer. Photoshop is a 2D program that allows you to create image, edit images, create textures etc.

I suggest having a look around this site some, and seeing what most interests you!

Oh, you PC spec is more than fine btw! :thumbsup:

yeah you really don't need Photoshop and After Effects but they are both very powerful pieces of software that let you do more with your animation and they are nice to have. I use both software all the time with my animations and I am still learning new ways to using them all together.

mlmiller1983

05-20-2005, 09:27 PM

I suggest 3dsmax for 3D animation....
and using photoshop to create images (to "map" these images
onto the 3D models you create) Thats how I got started in this...

Just pick up the "fundamental type" books for both programs
at your local bookstore.. But I must warn you...

ITS ADDICTIVE!

I like 3ds Max and Lightwave the best. The most complete 3D Animation packages where as Maya you have to pay more for the extra features like Cloth, Hair,Live,etc. Got the full commerical version of Lightwave 3D 8.0 for $500(+ shipping) and I love it. Best purchase I ever made. I still use maya for school but I am liking lightwave and 3ds max more(1 year edu).

ok1n

05-22-2005, 03:12 AM

Thanks for the advice guys!

I'm not so much interested in animation (yet). But 3D modelling is something is something I want to get into. However, after seeing some of the 2d work on here, I definitely wouldn't mind dabbling into some of that aswell. But primarily, 3D modelling is something I've never done before and what I'd like to do.

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05-22-2005, 03:12 AM

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