Hi i am really a newbie to this Visual Arts Industry and i am interested in Visual Arts and Modelling, i have had some experiance with Macromedia Flash MX in 2D animation, but i am curious as to what i need to be able to do and what software i have to use to produce 3D animations. Do you need to be very good at drawing? Do you need to know how to programm in Microsoft Visual Basic C#, or what? What attributes do you need to be able to work in a Animation and Modelling Industry as well as what do the duties involve?

I'd check out the Conceptart.org

EMPLOYMENT DISCUSSION FORUM

There is a well known thread called
Getting a job in the game industry

I hope the links work!?

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Tolop|Andyart.de

[edited by - Clueless on April 23, 2004 11:53:51 AM]

No, i am not looking for any employment at the mooment because i do not really have a lot of experiance with in Visual Arts thats why i posted this message to see what i need to get started and what attributes does a person need to get started?

get truespace 3.2 and get some good tutorials

you could even start with gmax from descrete.

Just look at the link. Lurk or post at that forum.
You''ll get a feeling for what others can do.

I''d learn about art in general.
Traditional art ... not just how a 3d program works.
Sijun and Conceptart both give a pretty good insight.

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Tolop|Andyart.de

Drawing isn''t necessary, but is very beneficial...both for the Modeling and Animation side of things.

For standard modeling & animation, you don''t need to know how to program anything. Although some 3D packages may have advanced scripting possibilites to assist in more complex types of animation. But I doubt you''d need to concern yourself with this for a while, if ever.

If you plan on modeling and animating, there''s 2 steps inbetween that are essential, and you may find yourself doing...

1) Texturing. This involves setting up the model so that you can take it''s "skin" (UV coordinates) into a paint program (like Photoshop)...and then, paint on it to give it color, texture, etc. Then you apply it in your 3D program, and may possibly do added effects like Bump Mapping.

2) Rigging. At this point you have a stationary model that''s complete, but can''t be moved. When doing Rigging, you have to make the skeleton that will control the model. You can keep it simple...or get very, Very, VERY advanced. After the skeleton is made, you have to "Bind" your model to the skeleton, and then clean up any points of the model (vertices) that are moving incorrectly.

Finally after this, you''ll be free to animate.

As for attributes you''ll need: patience, a will to see things through, problem solving skills, a good eye!!!, and I''ll say that at least some drawing ability is a very good thing.

As for programs you''ll need: 1 3D Application. 1 paint program.

And here''s a link to a post I made with a listing of 3D and Paint programs...along with their price range and URL.

I''m sure it will help.

http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=202348