3D Modelling - Where do I start?

[Stigmata]

I know there are some 3D artists around here somewhere... I've started by installing Python 3.01 and Blender 2.48. I think the next step is to watch a ton of tutorials on Youtube, and then start making my own models and videos? That's what I usually do.

Does anyone know of any good community sites as well?

 

[Raziaar]

I think the most important part after you watch those videos is to start making your own models.

I've logged probably 1,000 hours of watching video tutorials for modeling... and haven't actually made very many models.


www.3dbuzz.com has some good free tutorials. They're typically application specific, whether you're using 3dsMax or maya or something... but they still show modeling... lots of modeling.

And if you have the money you want to pay for a member sponsor subscription, you can watch all the videos on their site, which isn't just 3d modeling stuff, but they have thousands of hours of 3d modeling stuff that's all at your fingertips.


And as far as their community site, it's pretty great. I go there because I've purchased their XNA Xtreme 101 classes, Volume 1 and 2. Amazing stuff right there.

 

[Druckles]

You can start by getting the right forum! Tut-tut, Shamrock, I'm disappointed in you.

I think the only modelling program I ever had was Maya. I never used it, though. My friend used 3D Max.

I think www.good-tutorials.com now has modelling tutorials. That's where I'd start.

 

[Sir Phoenixx]

I've never watched a video modeling tutorial, and except to find out what certain features do, the only tutorials I actually followed were to learn UVW mapping.

Just use tutorials to figure out the point of features that you don't know about, instead of following tutorials step by step creating whatever the tutorial is about.

Learn the basics, make some basic models to start (lamp, light, brush, knife, picture frame, tv, etc.) to learn the features. Then start something more complicated like a gun, car, etc., make a post in the modeling forum showing what you started out with, references, etc. Post updates on your model, editing/fixing parts based on what others suggest. Ask as much questions as you need. Learn by doing. Etc.

 

[hot564231]

3dMax is an excellent program once you get used to it, the UI interface is a bit overwhelming at first.

But once you understand how each tool works, you can gain an understanding of modelling, and remember to think about how you would model something out of a box perhaps, would you bevel it, inset it or extrude, just think of how your going to do it, avoid messing around until you get what you want, its the biggest time waster, but your a beginner at this so do that for a bit then learn to think about it.


Also some advice, if your trying to make models for half-life 2 with splines, avoid doing so, it tends to add unnecessarily poly's and verts.

Here some tutorials too.

http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/3DS-MAX/1


Also to those who do not believe I know how to model, HURM.

 

[Ravioli]

throw away those crap software programs. Download 3Ds Max, very powerful yet easy for beginners. Just start doing some random tutorials. First tutorials regarding the UI and how it actually works. Then follow some tutorials explaining how to model simple stuff, so you get the hang of the process. Then do more advanced tutorials on other methods to model, and then texturing.

Once you master that, you must look into tutorials regarding Rendering which is probably the hardest and most important part. Start of with the default renderer, then use Mental Ray for photo realistic things.

 

[lame-o]

Blender is very horrible (terrible control... but if you're REALLY used to it you can make decent stuff), and Python is for programming...

 

[hot564231]

Ravioli pretty much got a point.

 

[Raziaar]

throw away those crap software programs. Download 3Ds Max, very powerful yet easy for beginners. Just start doing some random tutorials. First tutorials regarding the UI and how it actually works. Then follow some tutorials explaining how to model simple stuff, so you get the hang of the process. Then do more advanced tutorials on other methods to model, and then texturing.

Once you master that, you must look into tutorials regarding Rendering which is probably the hardest and most important part. Start of with the default renderer, then use Mental Ray for photo realistic things.

Blender isn't crap my friend. You just have to know how to use it, and it can rival all the other commercial software out there.

I don't know how to use Blender though. I find it to be difficult to use.

 

[lame-o]

Blender isn't crap my friend. You just have to know how to use it, and it can rival all the other commercial software out there.

I don't know how to use Blender though. I find it to be difficult to use.

It's CAPABLE of competitive modelmaking, but it makes it 500% harder to do. And most renders on blender make models look like a 3 polygon ass from 1998.

 

[dfc05]

I attempted to use Blender several years ago.... and made some awful looking crap . Of course I don't actually have any skills in that area, but I didn't know it at the time. Now I do.



Edit: Clarification -- I didn't mean to say Blender itself was crap (I don't have any experience to know how good it is or isn't), just that I personally suck at making models. I actually enjoyed playing around with it but vaguely recall having a hard time rotating the view the way I wanted to. Totally unrelated program, but I enjoyed playing with Terragen more (free landscape-drawing program, I don't know if that's the right term for it?) because it was easy to make pretty-looking stuff with very little skill... kinda an instant gratification thing.

 

[AtomicSpark]

You all just equate free with crap and you need to get over that. It's a powerful tool and seems to be very popular with the FOSS group. I'm sorry if you think it has a crap UI. A lot of people get frustrated when something is not what they're used to, give up, and tell everyone it's a shitty program. Keep in mind that "user friendly" is very subjective.

 

[Danimal]

Get the Personal Learning Edition of Maya if you're down for animation.

Otherwise I'd get my hands on 3DSMax.

 

[hot564231]

Have you tried google sketchup pro? a rather simple program to use, it also similar to AutoCad but easier to use.

Give it a go.

http://sketchup.google.com/

 

[soulslicer]

3dsmax 9. Now.