Hey all I have been messing around with coding for a while, and now I am making an effort to get into the 3d side of the industry for a while, to see if I get on with it, and learn to like it as much as I think I might :) My questions will probably be very basic to the experienced people, but like I was always told, you don't get any were if you don't ask :) so here goes... Will I need a tablet and light pen setup when using such apps as 3dsmax and so on, or is it ok to start of with just a mouse.. I know that allow of the work in such programs is configuring settings, and applying all-ready coded features and so on, then letting the computer build things, or just creating something via adding things together one on top of the other.. But the light pens and tablets must be available for a reason, so I am wondering if it's worth investing in one?? Also, can anyone think of any other hardware I might need?? My cpu/ram/graphics card are more than up to the task, so I have no problems there, I am just wondering if I should be thinking of any more hardware?? At the moment I only have 3dsmax7, and that cost be a fortune... but will I need anymore apps to be getting on with?? preferably free ones for now heh.. I have had a look at the list of progs in this forums art section, and I am wondering which are the ones most used in the industry? and most popular? Anyways, any advice given will be greatly appreciated thanks :) Hope the post isn't too noobish for the pro's heh Hyp [Edited by - Hyp007 on March 23, 2005 6:03:15 AM]

Hi m8, and welcome to the art-side of the games. I'll try to help you as much as I can.

First of all, the tablet. If you're going to modelate on 3D you won't need the tablet for nothing. They're used to have a more precised trace (and a pressure sensibility one) when painting with the computer (well, it has other applications, such as signing or adding notes to things, but we're talking only about the Art side). So unless you want to become a Concept Artist/Digital Ilustrator you won't need the tablet at all. So save up some bucks on here.

The most important hardware you'll need when rendering High-Poly scenes is the RAM, considering you have a good amount of RAM memory (at least 1Gb), you may last few days on rendering a few minutes detailed video scene. (I'm assuming your PC has only one processor)

Anyway, if you're going only to model and render images (not animations) that won't be so dramatic, but i still encourage you to have a high RAM.

And nothing more, 3D MAX is a very complete program, you'll need also a texture-making program, which can vary from Microsoft Paint (your textures will be a bit..poor) to, for example, Adobe Photoshop. There are some nice free programs out there, i'm sure you can try them out.

And, AFAIK that's all, I hope i'm not leaving nothing.

Good luck on your projects!

Great stuff thanks bud :)

I was wondering whether it was worth investing in a Tablet/pen setup - now that I know for certain, I can take my time making my midn up on the price and when to get one.

Hrm making textures you say eh, that was something I didn't know that 3dsmax 7 didn't do.. But I always new I would need other programs besides 3dsmax...

Thanks for the advice...

Hyp

Quote:

Original post by Hyp007 I know that allow of the work in such programs is configuring settings, and applying all-ready coded features and so on, then letting the computer build things, or just creating something via adding things together one on top of the other..

I fear you're going to be in for something of a massive shock if this is what you think 3D packages like 3DS Max are about! There's far more too it than just configuring settings and sitting back, letting the software generate your complex 3D scenes for you!

In fact, there is no letting it generate the complex scenes for you. While it does come with predefined geometric shapes the majority of the work is on the artist to use these to create scenes / models. I suggest you run through the 3DS Max tutorials to get a better feel for what you're about to drop yourself into!

However, while you are semi-correct that Max does make textures, it creates materials that affect how a surface looks but not the sort of detail on it. These are created in diffuse textures in an external 2D art program (Such as Adobe Photoshop or the GIMP). Which is where the tablet would come in useful!

Exactly, 3D MAX can put materials in, but if you want your models/scenes to have good quality, you'll need to make 2D textures with a external drawing program.

IMO it's not needed the tablet for just making the textures...anyway if you're wealthy enough, buy it. My little Wacom Graphire 3 cost me 100€ and it's only an A6 of usable size...

Ging, obviously I new that max wasn't going to do the drawing/construction for me heh, what I meant was, that such an Application as max, has a zillion and one options for you, and you don't actually have to draw a straight line or a 3d box yourself, you can do it with a few clicks of your mouse on some buttons in max - that is all I meant by what I said.

And the tutorials are the first things I am going to dive into - that goes without saying.

It's all new to me, [this side of game development] so I am acquiring as much info as I can via people - books - tutorials and software help..

I would also be interested to know what the work prospects are like..

Obviously I have a long time to go before I will even be able to create something half decent, let alone game quality, but I wouldn't mind knowing what it's like for those who do this for a living, or just sell some of their work on a part time basis or when they can??

Hyperion

As it's been said, you don't know anything else than your mouse. Techniqually.

These things all depend on the art style you are looking for.
If you are looking to do 8-bit sprites, paintbrush and a mouse will be more than sufficient. Anything more complicated, and you need a better program, such as photoshop (Or GIMP, which is free). At this point a tablet is HIGHLY recomended. Not absolutely neccessary mind you, you can do it with a mouse, but the tablet makes it so much easier. You don't even need a big one - the basic Wacom 5x4 is a great way to start, and it's cheap, especially if you get it off of ebay. (I use a 12x12, and while I like it, it sometimes gets too cumbersome...)

As for the 3d, max is a good way to start, IF you can afford it. Otherwise I would go with a free package like blender, which is... unconventional in terms of work flow, but if you haven't learned another package yet, it should be just as easy to learn. You DON'T need a tablet for this, a mouse is more than sufficient.

Hope this helps

Quote:

Original post by Hyp007 Ging, obviously I new that max wasn't going to do the drawing/construction for me heh, what I meant was, that such an Application as max, has a zillion and one options for you, and you don't actually have to draw a straight line or a 3d box yourself, you can do it with a few clicks of your mouse on some buttons in max - that is all I meant by what I said. And the tutorials are the first things I am going to dive into - that goes without saying. It's all new to me, [this side of game development] so I am acquiring as much info as I can via people - books - tutorials and software help.. I would also be interested to know what the work prospects are like.. Obviously I have a long time to go before I will even be able to create something half decent, let alone game quality, but I wouldn't mind knowing what it's like for those who do this for a living, or just sell some of their work on a part time basis or when they can?? Hyperion

Imo learn to draw very well, learn how to use 3ds max and photoshop (from trial or student editions then decide from there). Buy a digital camera for photographic textures (after you learn the ropes), have access to or buy a scanner (for your drawings),the tablet is optional and I recommend it (I don't have one yet but want one), and learn from other artist and books.

Here are some books that helped me out:

The Dark Side of Game Texturing
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1592003508/qid=1111745788/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-9919881-8139265

Game Development Essentials: Video Game Art
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1401840663/qid=1111745899/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-9919881-8139265

Modeling a Character in 3DS Max
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1556228155/qid=1111745976/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-9919881-8139265

All great advice thanks people...

Drawing is not a problme for me, as I suspect with msot others who like and are into 3D art in computers now, I was always a fan of drawing.

I have quite a few of the free programs now, and I am fortunate enough to have 3dsmax as well, so I am onto a good start... I guess all that is left now is the long walk through the books and tutorials :)

What makes it doable for me though, is I really enjoy this type of work, and can sit at paper or the computer for hours and hours weeks/months on in and out...

Anyways thanks for the advice, keep it coming if you like, I am always eager to read the words of those who have taken the plunge into something before myself :)

Regards Hyp007