Hey Fano! I have some quick questions for ya. Which program do you use for creating 3D models? And also, is it good for starting creating models with it? Do you have some hints for someone that wants to start (like me)?
OKI DOKI SHINY! :) Here comes the huge, hefty answer! -sorry- But this way, if someone else is interested… the answer will be there for everyone’s convenience!!-
I’m on Maya for 2 years and a half now. And yup, Maya is excellent for modelling, texturing, rigging, animating, rendering… That’s its job! :)
To start well, the first and hardest thing you have to do is choosing a 3D software -logic XD-. Maya and 3DS Max are the most used in the professionnal world but Cinema 4D or Blender are powerful tools not to forget (Remember Big Buck Bunny was made on Blender!!). I’ll essentially talk about the two first here…
To be honest… I think the ridiculous idea that ‘Maya is harder than 3DS’ is completely false. I’ve learnt 3D on Maya, jumped on 3DS, then came back to Maya, so I had the opportunity to try both of them. And let me state that both softwares can do the same things, from modelling to rendering. Maya tends to be more customisable though, and having more creative options (you can like.. animate ANY. SINGLE. OPTION. so easily!). The most obnoxious differences I could find are the names of the tools (Crease tool VS Chamfer xD) and the shortcuts (Space VS Alt+W haha). And about the difficulty to use Maya? HAH! That’s a bloody joke… Those are just 2 different ways to work. There isn’t one better than the other. This isn’t true! And you have my permission to slap the first person who claim it! XD
Some years ago, 3DS was rather used for the video game industry, while Maya was prefered for feature lengths. The frontiers have hopefully been destroyed with time. Now you can come across 3DS in the animation industry (Un Monstre à Paris, My Giant Friend for instance), as well as Maya in the VG industry (Valve, Lionhead)! The interface and way to work with your tools are the main differences.
Maya has an intuitive interface, since your tools are represented by icons, unlike 3DS. But 3DS has a sort of menu on the right side, to go directly to the effect you’re looking for (let’s say the Smooth tool for instance) which is practical too.
And that’s just ONE little example, between a thousand! So it’s all up to your taste! I’d say the easiest way to choose is to try both.
Some will tell you -And I’m sharing this opinion in a certain way- that 3DS is great for beginners who want to learn 3D. But I’m pretty sure Maya is very good for beginners too. No, no I’m not pro-Maya, why asking? honhonhon! *hides her Maya propaganda posters*
To give you an example, here’s a little tale from my experience. When I started 3D on Maya, at the university, I thought it was kinda hard -it depends a lot your teacher heh-. All I could model at the end of the year were lowpoly hammers and cups!
Then when I’ve learnt 3DS with a good teacher, at my animation school, I’ve learnt more in 3 months than in one year on Maya. 3DS seemed so much easier than Maya! But then, when I came back this year on Maya, this time with the knowledge I had of 3D… I found Maya so simple and richer than 3DS! BUT I REPEAT IT! IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TASTE!
So I think you really should try both of them, and see with which workflow you feel the more comfortable for learning. :) And then, trying the other one would be a good idea; this would make another string to your bow! ;)
Hope this long answer brought you some light on the dark forest of 3D!
Now, if you want some more specific tips about modelling, I can teach you some basics. ;) But that would be more practical on a chat or Skype.