Hi EagleKing,

Welcome to the 'vertical learning curve of Maya'. Yep, Maya is a complex animation system.

You are not alone!!!!!!

My suggestions for inspiration and learning are:

become obsessed!!!
Ask questions (the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask)

Keep it simple, that goes for learning and for projects.

Keep your feet on the ground. Most people would love to create ILM quality stuff in a week or two of learning. The most important thing (as many have said (tackle a small project and complete it). This is by far the easiest way to learn. But not my experience (I wish it was).

Learn from others (do not reinvent the wheel, I repeat do not reinvent the wheel, I repeat do not reinvent the wheel, I repeat do not reinvent the wheel ad infinitum.....................

Remain teachable and you will go far.


As for insiration.....

I feel my best stuff comes when I'm not trying 'too hard'. And is usually a response to life.
Hope this is at all helpful


And on a final note,

as to whether one can become proficient at all areas of 3d?

It is a sound idea to have a good grounding in all areas of 3d if only to understand the process.

An expert,

Most people don't have the time or aptitude to become highly proficient in all areas. I know that when I was a kid I preferred making the sandcastle not the playing in it afterwards........


re Jim