Where to start with 3D modeling and learning the basics?
Hello again! From the responses I had on my last question, I'm finding a lot of really helpful resources on here to use!
To start off, I've been interested in learning 3D modeling, but I have no idea where to even start! I have found multiple tutorials online, but the only issue I have is that I want more of a "lesson plan" that gradually moves me into more advanced projects. The courses I've seen range from over 200$, which kind of throws me off since they're super expensive for about a month's worth of projects.
Also, what modeling programs should I use? I've been considering Zbrush and Maya, but I'm wondering if it's worth the cost of it as well (plus, if there's any tutorials for those that may be good). I have yet to touch Blender, however, that is also something I definitely want to get the hang of eventually. For Blender especially, I've really only found courses that are behind paywalls or don't really thoroughly explain the process (some assuming you already know what does what).
Anything free or priced is alright with me! Costs are inevitable for some of these types of programs. :)
3 answers
Jamie’s Answer
Blender is being adopted but it's not quite as "standard" as Maya / ZBrush.
Also ZBrush is used primarily for character modeling.
If you're interested in character modeling then, ZBrush is the way to go.
If you're interested in other types of modeling (car, planes, architectural etc) then Maya would be a good choice.
Can't really help you as far as course learning. I know there are some out there, but you just have to investigate yourself.
What I did to learn to model (what I started out doing) was basically decide what I wanted to model. I really wanted to model a car.
So I did that. My first car was pretty terrible, my second... still pretty bad. I got to about my 5 or 6th car and they looked good. By my 10th I was at a level where I could be hired to model things... which is what I did... first job was modeling some beverage bottles which was FAR easier than doing a car.
Then I got a job to model a plane for CSI Miami... and the rest, as they say... is history.
The good thing about a car is it has rigid (hard lined) shapes but also organic shapes (think seats, interior etc) so if you can model a car really well you can just about model anything else. But that does NOT apply to character modeling.
I can't model characters.
Good luck!
tysm for the clarification and advice! I'm looking to get a feel for both, but I wasn't aware of the differences between the two! I'm mainly only familiar with character modeling (i've seen tutorials), but I do think learning Maya would probably help with understanding the construction of things, which I didn't know as said before there was a big difference of which is used for what. :)
Leilani
Tomas’s Answer
-Start looking up small tutorials on YouTube for specific things you would like to learn. For example look up how to simulate water in Blender, or how to model a character, how to add a texture to a blender object, how to render in blender, or how to rig a model.
-Practice literally makes perfect, give yourself an assignment often, from modeling a small object you have or model off a reference photo you took or found online. I would recommend starting with inanimate objects and simple structures.
-Look into plugins for Blender as well, they can help you make your Blender experience go a lot smoother.
-I know it’s beaten to death, but YouTube has so many tutorials from industry professionals to skilled hobbyist/freelancers.
