georgesabouatme Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Hello, I'm pretty sure you guys get A LOT of these tittle, saying I'm a new dude on the forum and everything, but please read and answer As my tittle say, I'm new on the forum and I gotta say that I am pretty impressed of the work shown around. I have been working as an intern (architecture intern) for half a year in different offices around here. And since a year ago or so, I started doing a lot more 3ds, which I really do enjoy more and more, maybe even more than just drawing lines on CAD. I was kind of wondering, how do you become a 3D artist (stupid question maybe, but I'm maybe starting to consider reorienting my career.) I really started doing and enjoying 3d's when I started knowing Rhino, GH + T-Spline. Maybe 2 month's ago, I also discovered 3dsMax ... From what I'm reading on the forum, everyone seems to be working on this and people seem to be appreciating V-Ray. So, simply, how do you become a 3D artist, and do people mostly doing architecture 3ds/renders are also capable of things shown on http://www.cgsociety.org/ ? Or is it two different art? Why more 3ds ? Why more V-ray? What about maxwell and rhino? Where do you start? Should I go back to school ? ....... is it realistic to learn on the side while working 40hrs/week to except high quality production? I'm really curious about CG/CGI because I do think that this domaine is growing bigger and bigger in architecture and it is taking a lot more space than before and mastering such aspect could simply make me a better and versatile professionnal. Those are two more local companies that I found to be having nice renders... http://www.edgedimension.com/ http://symbiose-design.ca/ Every time I see more complex images, I wonder how they are made, so much details, it is amazing! Are those objects bought or they are created for each render?... Thx for your answers, and you sharing personnal knowledge and experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philippelamoureux Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Thank you for sharing Symbiose, what an awsome studio. I'm in Montreal but I never seen this studio on google. Images are created with custom modeled assets as well as bought assets. Time is usually a big constraint. The very high end visuals are often personal projects made to show off (portfolio, competitions, etc). You don't have to go to school to learn 3d. Sure it can help, but there are so many ressources online that you can learn it that way and focus on architecture only. All 3d school in Montreal are focused on 3d animation and gaming. IMO probably 3/4 of the courses aren't that relevant to an archictectural visualizer. Better spend that time learning photo/compo/plan reading and develop an understanding of architecture/design. In your case it might not be a problem since you already worked in arch firms. 3ds max is a nice 3d soft because it has a ton of plugins that will tremendously enhance your workflow. The best renderers are also well integrated with 3ds max, be it Vray 3.0, Corona, Octane, etc. I started to learn 3d about 1 year ago, all by myself and I think I can produce decent images. I started with basic 3d modeling tutorials. Then learned VRay. Most of what you learn in 1 program is useful in another, so in the end you have a deep understanding of how things work. I had a lot of free time last year to learn tho. Dunno how fast you can do it if you are doing it ''on the side''. If you need I can share some ressources I used in my learning process, just send me a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eliot Blenkarne Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Couple of things worth knowing - Having some knowledge of the architectural world, from a view to reading plans, current trends, common materials, construction techniques and jargon and really useful. Sounds like you might be sorted there already. Not a necessity, but helpful. - 3ds and Vray are just the industry standards - it seems if you want to stand the best chance of getting a job in the industry, probably best to start there, along with Sketchup, the adobe suite and onward according to the role you want. Having excellent understanding of workflows when working between your programs and the programs aligned more directly with architecture (Revit, Archicad, Autocad etc) is also a good idea to get your head around. - I'm studying my masters in architecture and work in 3 jobs (all architecturally inclined, and viz freelancing as one) - so being smart about personal time and work time is probably a must too in the interim. Eg: if you can learn 3ds/vray/whatever is relevant whilst in your everyday role, try and do that as much as possible. - Start now. Instead of buying beers or wasting money on a few takeaway meals, buy a decent online course in 3ds or vray. That is my downfall still! Plus, you're supporting the industry, which is only a good thing for progression. - Like the gent above me said, composition and photography techniques are a great place to spend your time. They will take your stuff to the next level. This is all from someone in a similar position to yourself, maybe a couple years down the track. My "regrets" are not learning 3ds sooner, or spending more time studying composition and photography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgesabouatme Posted February 4, 2015 Author Share Posted February 4, 2015 Thx guys, I realy appreciate your honest answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgesabouatme Posted February 4, 2015 Author Share Posted February 4, 2015 3ds max is a nice 3d soft because it has a ton of plugins that will tremendously enhance your workflow. The best renderers are also well integrated with 3ds max, be it Vray 3.0, Corona, Octane, etc. So how to choose those render plug-ins? I was pretty used to work with Maxwell And V-Ray. Since I was mostly using Rhino, I appreciated more V-Ray since the plug-in for rhino was more friendly to use and the x-press tool was pretty handy for basics sketchs ... From what I get from ElliotB, V-ray sounds pretty good since everybody uses it? In less than 2 months, i was pretty much able to do all kind of 3d's on 3DMax, kayaks, beer bottles, lamps .... Since I was using T-Spline on Rhino, Edges, Vertices, Borders and modeling techniques emerging from them are pretty familiar for me. I may hit a wall more closely to the rendering/post prod process I'd also like to learn revit pretty soon, what about it with the renders??? I have done some tuto's on Lynda and DigiTutors, but they're not realy for architecture... Are the "not" free tuto's worth paying on cg's? Anybody can compare them with different web sites, share personal experience? Thx again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philippelamoureux Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I know Grant Warwick have some nice courses. One on modeling, one on V-ray and a newer one about lighting. Evermotion's training vol.1 and 2 are awesome too. Comes with complete scenes and the video courses. The choice of the render software is personal. I'm planning to work for myself so I choose the one I prefer. If you want to work for an established studio or architect firm, there are chances they already use v-ray in-house. It's the standard...for now! I've never tried Maxwell, but I've heard it can produce very good results! I also started with lynda and digitutors but quickly unsubscribed because they're mostly tutorials. Grant's and Evermotion are more like courses, they'll explain why you do this and that. They're not just telling you to click here and there without explanation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nejck Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 (edited) Just to put my 5 cents in... Like everyone said, 3ds max + V-Ray is the standard which means learning those will probably help you get a job a little bit more than learning anything else. That said, as you noticed, the techniques are similar and it is not at all hard to move from one software to another. In my opinion that holds especially true for the arch vis world because there usually aren't that complex operations going on (such as particle sim and such). Freelancers pick their own software because they want to be most comfortable and the industry standard is not always the go-to option for getting things done (some people get stuff done way quicker in C4D than 3ds Max, it's just preference and usability for individuals). Regarding DigitalTutors, I had a great experience there but only with Joshua Kinney (on the topic of modelling). This instructor in particular explains everything ala course style and is very consistent. He does not have an arhitectural course but I never wanted to limit myself to modelling chairs and buildings. Besides, if you know how to model a complex car shape (or a big robot) you will probably find some workflows that work for you when it comes to arch vis. I must say, besides Joshua I did not find much success in Digital Tutors. A lot of other tutors are speaking a tad too broken and have a hard time staying consistent - not everyone though and it does come down to personal preference Hope it helps! Edited February 4, 2015 by nejck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M V Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Here is my easy answer. I was an arch intern out of school and I hated drawing toilets and details. I had a passion for art and 3D and my principals quickly saw that and they also saw how valuable it was to have around. 1- Become and 'Expert' - To be a great 3D artist you have to keep your pulse on the industry, so being a member here and on other boards is a must. Master whatever 3D program you want (most will tell you to master Max). Master a render engine (most, including myself will say V-Ray) know all the settings and tricks and watch lots of how to vids online or buy a nice set like Grant Warwick, etc. 2- Became an 'Artist' and not a '3D Guy' - plenty of 3d guys out there but only a few are true artists. Learn photography, composition, videography, go to an art museum, sketch, find passion, etc etc... 3 - Become a geek - You have to understand technology in both terms of hardware and software, as well as learning an arsenal of programs. 4 - Be a Designer - How do you set yourself apart from the thousands of 3D artists out there? If your education is in architecture, use that to your advantage. Be a key person in the design process and not just a 'tool' (pun intended). 5- Do what you love. We are all here because we love this stuff. "Its not work if you love what you do." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgesabouatme Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 2- Became an 'Artist' and not a '3D Guy' - plenty of 3d guys out there but only a few are true artists. Learn photography, composition, videography, go to an art museum, sketch, find passion, etc etc... 4 - Be a Designer - How do you set yourself apart from the thousands of 3D artists out there? If your education is in architecture, use that to your advantage. Be a key person in the design process and not just a 'tool' (pun intended). Thx for bringing those points. Since I have been understanding more goodly 3d's and render, I do see my projects totally differently. Sadly, I am seeing so much people using 3d's and renders as a simple end task and not as an entire part for design, conception, etc .. The point about 3d's folks and artist is why I posted down here, that's where I want to take a step ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgesabouatme Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 J I had a great experience there but only with Joshua Kinney (on the topic of modelling). Thx for the hint! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgesabouatme Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 Humm, no one referred CG class's ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryannelson Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 Humm, no one referred CG class's ??? Grant Warwick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgesabouatme Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 Grant Warwick. He's the one who has done them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic H Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 id make a decision now - architect or 3d artist you can only be really good at one of them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryannelson Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 id make a decision now - architect or 3d artist you can only be really good at one of them I concur! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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