Opinions wanted on"Advanced Character Modeling with 3ds max 5 - Training DVD"

[2maxed]

Hi there,

Has anyone in this forum tried the dvd "Modeling with 3ds max 5 - Training DVD." I'm thinking about buying the dvd. I was just wondering if it's any good and easy to follow and worth the money.

Any advice would be grateful. Further details of the dvd can be found here :

http://www.discreet.com/education/3dsmax_dvd_text.html#update

Thanks in advance.

Trev

[Goj]

I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we have never bought a Training DVD in our lives. :D

I suggest trying out 3D Buzz (http://www.3dbuzz.com), you need to register and in the download section they have tons of Videos you can download dealing with many different programs, like MotionBulider, Max, Maya, Houdini..etc.

The DVD looks good, and because its Discreet certified, it should be worth it.

[2maxed]

Hi Goj,

Thanks. The sites great. I normally teach myself and I've managed to create low poly characters. It's just that I want to create a realistic head and I've been through many tutorials. The dvd seems like the only way.

Thanks for your advice.

Trev

[Jenn]

Well if you know the basics of 3d modeling and you understand how to use the tools for nurbs or spline or poly modeling then you should be able to apply that knowledge to creating a realistic head. The procedure is the same whether you are creating something cartoony or realistic. The only difference is the final result and the complexity of the mesh.

[2maxed]

Hi Jenn,

Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it. I think some people are just naturally gifted. I saw your website - your work's amazing. Your realistic characters are the level that I dream of reaching. They are the sort of inspiration that leads me to want to create a realistic character. I've bought many books like the Paul Steed book on creating a low poly character. I spent 3 months on it and after seeing work like yours and work on 3dtotal I'm a little disheartened with my result.

I've scaled the web and there doesn't seem to be any in-depth tutorials on high poly characters. The only tutorial I found was the Joan of Arc but when I followed it, it never turned out because I got stuck around the nose area. The dvd is the only one I've seen. I'm scared of buying it and it not going into depth.

I've followed several nurbs and spline and poly modeling tutorials and a lot of tutorials from 3dtotal and the tutorials within Max. I guess I've just got to apply them. It's probably me trying to run before I can walk.

Thanks.

Trev

[Jenn]

Well you can always try a low-no-tech approach. Try your hand at actual sculpting. A couple bricks of super sculpey or plastilena will cost you under $20. I've found that many people who have trouble with 3d modeling also have trouble with volume and understanding the underlying structure of a particular subject, in this case the human form. You can look at photographic and other 2d reference until you're cross eyed and still get no where. Since photographs and drawings, no matter how masterfully they are created, are still a flat medium. Something (depth) is always missing. That's where experimenting with traditional sculpture can bridge the gap.

You should give it a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[kuman]

another thing to keep in mind is practice

how many heads have you built? i hope you're not expecting the first one to be good. i'd say that it takes at least 5-10 heads before you really get a handle on sculpting faces.

keep at it, after all rome wasn't built in a day. :)

good luck
-k

[2maxed]

Hi Jenn. I still can't believe how good your character is. It's so realistic. That's definately an idea about getting used to sculpturing. I'd try anthing.

Thanks kuman. Your advice is also good. I know it's going to take me a while. I guess I just want to know I'm on the right track rather then spending months on it and being disappointed.

Thanks

Trev