Introduction to Maya - Modeling Fundamentals Vol 2
This course will look in the fundamentals of modeling in Maya with an emphasis on creating good topology. It's aimed at people that have some modeling experience in Maya but are having trouble with complex objects.
# 1 17-10-2005 , 08:51 AM
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skills or diploma (paper)

what does it take to get in the industry..

through hard work earned skills

or

diploma , graduation.


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# 2 17-10-2005 , 01:35 PM
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I'm pretty sure that most people will tell you that it's all about skill. But a diploma/degree could be a way to develop that skill... user added image


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# 3 17-10-2005 , 03:46 PM
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yeah, school is just a means to get the skills you need to get in. It's all dependant on what you need as a learner... whether you can teach yourself effectively or if you need some sort of teacher.

If you're a really good artist and not an annoying person, you'll have a good chance to get a job somewhere... that's all there is to it. Of course, some people are luckier than others, and you may need to be willing to relocate, but that's the gist of it.

# 4 17-10-2005 , 05:49 PM
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but on the other hand if you do a proper degree and not a software training course then you can gain other vital skills like cinematography, script writing and more importantly drawing

# 5 17-10-2005 , 06:06 PM
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Originally posted by mtmckinley
yeah, school is just a means to get the skills you need to get in. It's all dependant on what you need as a learner... whether you can teach yourself effectively or if you need some sort of teacher.

If you're a really good artist and not an annoying person, you'll have a good chance to get a job somewhere... that's all there is to it. Of course, some people are luckier than others, and you may need to be willing to relocate, but that's the gist of it.

In my opinion a diploma's really just a way to show someone you know what you're talking about... a good reel should be the same. Then again -- if you don't know anything about Maya nothing beats a one-on-one tutor... I personally don't need that, though I admit I do have a paid order in for McKinley's book which should be here for pickup by Friday/Monday.

Basically I'd just say that hammering out all your personal blockages is the best way because Maya is something that each person has their own personal style using and you may end up with a Tech Course of people teaching you their personal style -- but you may not at the same time.

Try to learn it on your own and build a reel... if you're not satisfied post your reel up here and I'm sure people here will have no problem stating whether or not you'll benefit from college.

# 6 17-10-2005 , 06:50 PM
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the diploma may mean he knows what he's talking about, but it doesnt mean he's any good. I've seen plenty of people, myself included, who really and truly weren't that good upon graduating. It took me a couple of years furthering my own knowledge after the fact to get good enough to hire.

# 7 17-10-2005 , 07:45 PM
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Originally posted by mtmckinley
the diploma may mean he knows what he's talking about, but it doesnt mean he's any good. I've seen plenty of people, myself included, who really and truly weren't that good upon graduating. It took me a couple of years furthering my own knowledge after the fact to get good enough to hire.

It also depends on the employer's intelligence... some may not be too up on the field and may take diploma over reels.

Then again -- is that type of employer really promising for your choice in company? :p

# 8 17-10-2005 , 08:36 PM
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Originally posted by Phopojijo
It also depends on the employer's intelligence... some may not be too up on the field and may take diploma over reels.

Then again -- is that type of employer really promising for your choice in company? :p

What sort of employer wouldn't know the field there working in.

What matters is skill, how you get that skill is somewhat irrelevant, although the good thing about a degree is it usually shows that you can work to assignments, deadline and so on. When teaching yourself you can pick what you want to do (something you can’t do in the industry) and not worry about deadlines. If two people had equal skill, but one had a degree I think that person might sneak through. Although saying that, personality may also be one of the criteria.

Also i think people need to focus on the actual fundamentals of art/design/3D etc and not just learning software packages because some people focus on learning the software, but have no real clue about composition, colour theory and the other basic skills necessary. Software is just a tool; you need to show an employer that you have the raw artistic talent, because anyone can learn software.


Yeah, but no but yeah but no....
# 9 18-10-2005 , 08:35 AM
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I think University/Degree just proves that you can stick with something for 3 years (or however long your course is). If you can apply those skills you learned during that time to a job then thats an added bonus. Think about how many people graduate and get jobs doing something completely different to the skills they learned (myself included).
Maya is a nice tool to let you explore areas you might not have touched on before. During the learning progress you might become amazing at one element of it or just decent at every part. I think going for jobs can depend on your raw artistic talent, your skillset, whether the job is specialised or general and how you react with other people.
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# 10 18-10-2005 , 07:19 PM
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Actually -- thats the odd part -- I'm good (somewhat) at modelling but can't draw for my life.

What's even funnier? The objects I struggle on most to 3d model (humans) are what I can never draw correctly.

# 11 18-10-2005 , 08:11 PM
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Originally posted by Phopojijo
Actually -- thats the odd part -- I'm good (somewhat) at modelling but can't draw for my life.

What's even funnier? The objects I struggle on most to 3d model (humans) are what I can never draw correctly.

There is a different in having artistic talent (i.e. knowing how to experiment with mark making, ideas development, knowing colour theory, composition, design and so on) and being able to draw. You don’t really need to be an excellent drawer (although it will help in creating your own character design to have some ability), but you do need to be a good artist. You probably find though that as your artistic talent improve, your drawing skills will also improve – something I’m noticing.

Ultimately I think someone can still be a good artist without being able to draw photorealistic portraits, but there is no reason I can think off not to try to learn the skill.

You should also test other areas, your models might be good, but that about creating textures, setting up a composition etc? Bad composition will make even the best models look mediocre.

For modelling humans you'll find that understanding human anatomy will help and life drawing is a way to gain this skill. It will also help your animation as both life drawing and animation are about observation.


Yeah, but no but yeah but no....
# 12 19-10-2005 , 08:00 AM
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Diploma....?

Well if you're not talented person no diploma or collage can give you that,so if your demo reel rocks...man I will hire you!


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# 13 31-10-2005 , 09:42 PM
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hey darijo, what's your address.....
also, if my reel doesn't rock, but rolls somewhat gently.....
:p

ps, actually it doesn't even so much roll as stand still....


Last edited by utpal; 31-10-2005 at 09:44 PM.
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