Anyone want to instruct me?

[Trueform]

I have started teaching myself 3D modelling through Youtube tutorial vids and basically just looking online. Starting small is, as mentioned, a good idea but you also need to start with something that keeps your interest; for example, I started getting LOADS of weapons pictures online for reference and then just practised modelling them. If you don't work with something you hold no interest in, if you're anything like me, you will get bored easily no matter how determined you are.

 

http://www.tutorialized.com/view/tutorial/Modeling-a-detailed-dagger-in-3DsMax/73456

 

This tutorial really helped me, plus the modeller's accent is easy to listen to; I always find it easy to watch videos when the person's voice is interesting enough :)

 

 

A good tutorial for helping set up references,

 

http://cg.tutsplus.com/tutorials/autodesk-3d-studio-max/3d_cg_tutorial_pelt_mapping_3dsmax_uving_unwrapping_quick_tip_walkthrough/

 

I am currently struggling with pelt mapping for my own case-specific model (if anyone can help, please look on my help request in this forum!) but this is a good tut for the basics.

 

 

Some touched-upon modelling advice, mostly a texturing tut.

 

Look at other people's models online, you can get a lot of pictures of meshes for 3D models which show how the polygons shape together well. Don't get too down-hearted if the first models you do don't look great, because it's all about learning new things. I aim to learn at least one new thing a day which is a good aim if you have the time to spare.

 

When you start making models for practise, as long as you don't intend to use them for anything official, don't worry about using pictures of other people's art, etc - if it's only for personal use and you don't intend to post it anywhere, etc I doubt anyone will mind (I know I wouldn't, as long as it helps people). If you do want to use them for anything, obviously you will need permission from the person who designed/made/drew the original (it goes without saying, but I said it anyway to cover everyone's back).

 

I started with basic knives and swords, now I have moved on to simple creature modelling - I'm no expert, still a beginner really, but I am making progress :) Some good creature designs to look into are the basic pokemon, they have good rounded shapes, reference is easy to find and the first generation pokemon designs are simple enough to play with. People will be next for me!

 

Forgetting things initially is very common. The more you do things, the easier it will be to remember them and they will become a routine. Try to remember simple shortcuts. If you struggle to remember them, write down things in a notebook to keep at the side of your computer and look them up, but only if you get really stuck; there's no rush if you're just practising for yourself and don't have deadlines.

 

At first, don't worry about learning polygon counts, that can be remedied easily enough when you get used to it. If you have any problems with disappearing tools, etc google the problem as precisely as you can for advice, most people will have encountered the same ones at some point or another and sought out help. Here's some useful starting shortcuts and some common problems I encountered and their solutions:

 

Alt & X - Transparant mode, makes your objects see-through for easier reference modelling.

Alt & W - Expands your currently selected window, or shrinks it back to multi-window options.

F4 - Line mode, good for cutting objects for new lines/vertices and easily seeing how shapes are formed.

7 - Shows your polycount, for use when you need to be more precise.

 

Ctrl & X - Expert mode, will reduce the menu, so if your sidebar disappears, this may be why.

X - Toggles the tools gizmo to show and hide; if your gizmo disappears, this may be why.

Space bar - Locks your selection. If vertices disappear, or can't be selected, etc this may be why.

S - snaps to grid. This can be a useful tool and a problem, depending on the situation. If you have trouble being exact with your selection, check to see if this is your problem.

 

I know this is basic beginning advice, but it helped me, so hopefully other people will find it useful to :)

Edited March 13, 2012 by Trueform