One for all you Maya Masters

[Dragonius]

I wish I knew... someone help us out!

I'd say that doing something like the challenge is worth while... a deadline and feedback can do wonders for your creativity an such like.

[ME3D]

Take the challenge, Give yourself a project whatever you prefer, but focus on one package at a time. This would ease in digesting the materials.
If its your own personal project stay simple and give yourself some room. You probably dont want to have to learn the workflow and paint effects, particles, and lets not forget animation, all in one project. Go simple and create a quality piece.
Good luck.

[ACFred]

Well, I just graduated from what is essentially a 3D design & FX school. We only used Maya for 3D and we did it for most of the 14 months of the program. Having the opportunity to use Maya 14 hours a day every day for over a year is one way to learn the hell out of parts of the program.
Since all of my time on the program was geared toward finishing assignments, I had little time for exploring areas that most interested me -- hardcore character rigging, MEL & the Maya API.
I've been learning those more in-depth since graduating nearly 2 months ago.

That said, not everyone has the opportunity or really needs to get the immersive exposure I got. More to the point of your question, I think if you have an area of interest in 3D, whatever project you create should have it's focus in that interest. If you have equal interest across the board, then a few small projects that give you a taste of each would be most beneficial and rewarding in the short term. If you lock yourself into feeling forced into finishing some huge project (and they all become huge, even if it's only 2 minutes) then you might get discouraged and start to fade away.

One way I create a bunch of tiny projects for myself is by scanning CGTalk and Highend3D in the areas that interest me, looking for people who need help. If I can answer their question, then OK, but better still if I can't answer it. That way, I can try to answer it by solving their problem myself and then reinforcing it by typing up my resolution. For me, that works wonders, especially for MEL and dynamics.

I hope that helps. KEY POINT: small projects = quick rewards and continued motivation to learn.

[iC4]

I'm not a pro but I think the best way is learning by doing :)

Join the challenge, make a little project and ask all questions which you cant solve here.

[Irie]

Great opinions, all.

I am currently planning out a project to work on this summer in Maya. I am going to take it slow, but give myself a deadline as well.

I appreciate your help, and hope to see more ideas posted as well. :)

irie

[wedge]

I learned by doing. I have this great ability when it comes to computers that allows me to use a tool once, remember what it does, and then utilize it somewhere else. I'm sure a lot of you have similar abilities. What this has enabled me to do is tinker with things and then problem solve methods of accomplishing things. I learned Maya by doing a short animation called The Pawn. You can see screenshots at my website. Buy yourself a book for reference, and then start making a simple animation, problem solving as you go.

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