Hi im Dan (DJ Alp) im 14 and don’t know my direction in life. I have been using Maya 6.5 for about 1 ½ years now. I’m currently exploring Maya and some of its amazing functions and I REALLY! Want to learn how to use Maya well and get into the game industry. And I just want to know if there is anyone out there that knows Maya well that makes models for games who can answer a couple of my questions and give me a few pointers to where to go from here. So if any one can give me some help it would me much appreciated! Thanks!

Quote: Original post by DJ Alpine Sno Ski
Hi im Dan (DJ Alp) im 14 and don’t know my direction in life.

Not exactly atypical.

Look into the Gnomon videos and check out Game Character Development with Maya. Both all are completely filled with industry insights and methods. Beyond that, you're only 14, so you don't have to really worry about these things yet, because by the time you're ready to enter the modeling/animations field, the industry will have moved on.

What you should be doing, instead of focusing on industry tips and tricks with Maya, is getting yourself a formal education in the fundamentals of animation. Get a book like the Animator's Survival Kit and learn it to the point that you can recite passages from it. A strong foundation in the fundamentals is something that many people lack. Any monkey can drive a program.

[Edited by - zer0wolf on August 14, 2006 8:33:57 AM]

what are your questions? best just to ask, then if someone can give some input they probably will.

I got the idea I wanted to make games when I was 8, and I've been in the industry a year now (I'm 23)- I did take the long route, higher education, university..

what you need to think about first is that making games is a lot different to playing games, and its unlikely you'll slide straight into that dream job at epic.. you will need to be prepared to work pretty hard to get where you want. In my opinion though, the earlier you start, the more time you have to decide if its what you want to do for a living so trying it out is a good idea :).