Expert: Joseph Silver - 11/16/2007

Question
QUESTION: Sir,
I am a Tibetan nationality very much intrested to study the VFx and 3d. How should I start? I am hardworking and determined!
Thank you for your valuable time! God bless U

ANSWER: I suggest that your learn a 3D package, such as Maya, 3D Studio, or Cinema 4D. All of these software have tutorials that will teach you the basics of modeling and animation.  It will also be crucial you to learn some 2D software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, since a lot of VFX involves 2D techniques in addition to 3D.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you sir. I know Photoshop, illustrator, corel draw, flash and Dream Weaver. What about Discreet Combustion? Is it like adobe after effects or adobe premiere? For Vfx do I have to learn sound programs like sound forge too? please help.

ANSWER: i don't personally use combustion, but i know it's functionality is more like after effects than premiere - it is a compositing and animation tool with special effects. adobe premiere is more of a video editing program, though video editing programs also contain some effects and transitions.

the interface of after effects and combustion are very different. if you are already comfortable with adobe photoshop and illustrator, i think you will probably find after effects easier to learn because is owned by the same company and shares a similar interface.

usually vfx artists do not also do sound. they focus on visuals, though it is never a bad idea to get a basic understanding of sound.

www.designomotion.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have started learning Maya in an institution. Its the beginning at the moment. I am in a state of bit lost when first introducing the tools. How far difficult the Maya is? Do    I need the knowledge of Adobe premiere and after effects to learn Maya? Can combustion annd aftereffects can be learn by self?
please help!
Thank You

Answer
maya is quite complex for someone just starting off. you will be lost for a while. the best thing is to do the tutorials, step by step, until you have a better understanding. even with someone with existing 3d knowledge, maya takes time to learn.

maya is a 3D program, whereas premiere is for video-editing, and after effects is for animation/compositing. knowing the other programs will only help you marginally in knowing maya, they really are for different purposes. however, most 3D artists have some knowledge of after effects, in order to composite their 3D and add some effects that are faster/easier to do in a 2D program.

www.designomotion.com