Learning 3D Software - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

marlenedegrood · 06-02-2006, 05:22 PM

Do you think that if you really know a 3d program well, such as Lightwave, that most other 3d programs would be easy to learn? Or do you think that the interfaces play a huge role in the learning curve?

Greggl · 06-02-2006, 05:29 PM

Depends on what direction you're going. Lightwave and Max tend to instill a lot
of bad habits that can be difficult to lose.

Maya/SI/XSI/Houdini have a LOT in common.

marlenedegrood · 06-02-2006, 05:50 PM

I just thought that if you had a good understanding of polygons and modeling within the 3d environment that it would make a transition to another software program easier.......but.....maybe not.

Greggl · 06-02-2006, 06:59 PM

The core concepts are the same, no matter the app, but some of them have very
specific time-savers and shortcuts that aren't repeated in other apps. Those can
work as a crutch. There are also some 'mindset' differences. Lightwave splits
modeling to a seperate application from animation, lighting and texturing. Max
has some oddities with its nurbs. Its also a plug-in heavy app.

It all depends what you want to do in the long run though. If its about producing
elements for your own work, anything will do... if you're at all thinking about a
career in vfx or games, the decision is pretty much made for you... you learn the
market leaders that have the most want ads

surf · 06-03-2006, 02:58 AM

well the base core is very similar. ie. if you learn lighting a scene in 3D, you won't have to learn it again.

mcgeedigital · 06-03-2006, 03:26 PM

I found LW MUCH easier to learn that Max.

Curtis_Rhoads · 06-03-2006, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greggl

Max has some oddities with its nurbs. Its also a plug-in heavy app.

Talk about plugin heavy... the core of Max is just a hub that everything else plugs into. So, basically, Max is one giant plugin hub!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greggl

It all depends what you want to do in the long run though. If its about producing elements for your own work, anything will do... if you're at all thinking about a career in vfx or games, the decision is pretty much made for you... you learn the market leaders that have the most want ads

Getting a career in VFX or games doesn't mean that you have to learn the app they use to get in the door. I've got quite a few friends working for ILM, Digital Domain, etc. and they all started using Animation:Master. Most of the VFX/games companies end up training you to some extent on the software they use. Usually because at some point there's proprietary software involved.

Greggl · 06-04-2006, 07:23 AM

Hehe.. Animation Master is one of the apps that *doesn't* instill
some of those bad habits

BTW, those 'training' days are pretty
much over. You'll only get that retooling if you're already in the
door and are going onto a project thats using a tool you're not
familar with OR you were hired on a reel that was so strong, they
both have the luxury of time to get you up to speed on a new
app and the money. Even that is getting rare though.

surf · 06-04-2006, 11:48 AM

hmm interesting

Taylor Moore · 06-04-2006, 02:59 PM

Also remember there are personal learning editions of Maya and SoftImage...
better to learn the more pro tools first.

06-02-2006, 05:22 PM	#1
marlenedegrood Flicks By Chics Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 878	Learning 3D Software Do you think that if you really know a 3d program well, such as Lightwave, that most other 3d programs would be easy to learn? Or do you think that the interfaces play a huge role in the learning curve? __________________ http://www.fineartarizona.com

06-02-2006, 05:29 PM	#2
Greggl Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Santa Monica/Key West Posts: 606	Depends on what direction you're going. Lightwave and Max tend to instill a lot of bad habits that can be difficult to lose. Maya/SI/XSI/Houdini have a LOT in common. __________________ "Look, I hate Los Angeles, like everybody else.. but I have to work here because in any other part of the country I'm unemployable..." - Matt, Studio 60.

06-02-2006, 05:50 PM	#3
marlenedegrood Flicks By Chics Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 878	I just thought that if you had a good understanding of polygons and modeling within the 3d environment that it would make a transition to another software program easier.......but.....maybe not. __________________ http://www.fineartarizona.com

06-02-2006, 06:59 PM	#4
Greggl Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Santa Monica/Key West Posts: 606	The core concepts are the same, no matter the app, but some of them have very specific time-savers and shortcuts that aren't repeated in other apps. Those can work as a crutch. There are also some 'mindset' differences. Lightwave splits modeling to a seperate application from animation, lighting and texturing. Max has some oddities with its nurbs. Its also a plug-in heavy app. It all depends what you want to do in the long run though. If its about producing elements for your own work, anything will do... if you're at all thinking about a career in vfx or games, the decision is pretty much made for you... you learn the market leaders that have the most want ads __________________ "Look, I hate Los Angeles, like everybody else.. but I have to work here because in any other part of the country I'm unemployable..." - Matt, Studio 60.

06-03-2006, 02:58 AM	#5
surf Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hungary Posts: 1,604	well the base core is very similar. ie. if you learn lighting a scene in 3D, you won't have to learn it again. __________________ surf http://www.smart.atw.hu

06-03-2006, 03:26 PM	#6
mcgeedigital Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Alexandria, VA USA Posts: 2,933	I found LW MUCH easier to learn that Max. __________________

06-04-2006, 07:23 AM	#8
Greggl Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Santa Monica/Key West Posts: 606	Hehe.. Animation Master is one of the apps that doesn't instill some of those bad habits BTW, those 'training' days are pretty much over. You'll only get that retooling if you're already in the door and are going onto a project thats using a tool you're not familar with OR you were hired on a reel that was so strong, they both have the luxury of time to get you up to speed on a new app and the money. Even that is getting rare though. __________________ "Look, I hate Los Angeles, like everybody else.. but I have to work here because in any other part of the country I'm unemployable..." - Matt, Studio 60.

06-04-2006, 11:48 AM	#9
surf Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hungary Posts: 1,604	hmm interesting __________________ surf http://www.smart.atw.hu

06-04-2006, 02:59 PM	#10
Taylor Moore Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 1,609	Also remember there are personal learning editions of Maya and SoftImage... better to learn the more pro tools first. __________________ www.pixelsteam.com

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode