I have a long off goal of wanting to be able to make high grade models of different types using 3d printing as a base which would include some traditional art work as well such airbrushing/painting. Even do some renders here or there. However, to put it bluntly I am certainly bad at many of those aspects. Therefore, CGCookie has been a good starting point to get that ball rolling. However, to aide in speeding that process up a bit I am trying to properly set myself a curriculum of sorts to do that learning and practice as I go. An issue with that is sort of you cannot know what you do not know and I was wondering how might the following plan be augmented or enhanced? Or maybe it might just be something for someone else to utilize as well.
Currently CG Cookie Focuses. Idea is to follow along with video as much as possible. Do exercises. Recreate works as additional exercise and practice. Take some notes on various areas through videos going along. Somehow augment learning phases with own work ideas and project works along the way to explore what was learned. I think the idea is certainly to do a bit each day for hopefully at least 30 minutes though don't burn yourself out. Therefore, no time restraint on when to get these things finished by, but so long as it is continually being worked towards.
Blender Modeling/Sculpting Focus
1st Learning Flow (Complete): Introduction to Blender: https://cgcookie.com/flow/introduction-to-blender
2nd Learning Flow (Partial): Modeling in Blender: https://cgcookie.com/flow/modeling-in-blender
* Modeling I: (Complete) (Everything)
* Modeling II: (Ordered Top to Bottom, Selected Courses)
** Mesh Modeling Bootcamp (Complete): https://cgcookie.com/course/mesh-modeling-bootcamp
** Sculpting the Wrangler Game Character: https://cgcookie.com/course/sculpting-the-wrangler
** Introduction to Character Modeling: https://cgcookie.com/course/introduction-to-character-modeling
** (Modeling II to III immediately???)
* Modeling III: (Ordered Top to Bottom, Selected Courses)
** Hard Surface Sculpting and Retoplogy: https://cgcookie.com/course/hard-surface-sculpting-and-retopology
** Art of Sculpting: https://cgcookie.com/course/art-of-sculpting
** Modeling Realistic Characters with Blender: https://cgcookie.com/course/modeling-realistic-characters-with-blender
** (???)
3rd (Random focused learning???)
* Game Character Modeling with Blender: https://cgcookie.com/course/modeling-a-robot-game-character-with-blender
* Modeling Stylized Hair: https://cgcookie.com/tutorial/modeling-stylized-hair
Posing / Mesh Deformation Focus
Learning Flow: Animation in Blender: https://cgcookie.com/flow/animation-in-blender
(Maybe not helpful? Seems only focused on animation with some select rigging that might be helpful for posing?)
Concept Art Focus (Generate own reference material)
1st Learning Flow: Concept Art Fundamentals: https://cgcookie.com/flow/introduction-to-digital-art
2nd (Random order???)
* Creating Characters – Where to start?: https://cgcookie.com/course/creating-characters-where-to-start
* Animated Character Portrait: https://cgcookie.com/course/animated-character-portrait
* Creature Concept Design: https://cgcookie.com/course/creature-concept-design
* Drawing the Facial Features: https://cgcookie.com/course/facial-features
* Wrangler Character Concept Art: https://cgcookie.com/course/wrangler-concept-art-course
* Character Design Process: https://cgcookie.com/course/character-design-process
* Female Character Course: https://cgcookie.com/course/female-character-course
Resources:
* Digital Brushes: https://cgcookie.com/resource/2d-digital-brushes
3D Printing Focus
(Any order)
* Airbrushing & Painting: https://cgcookie.com/course/airbrushing-painting
* Introduction to Casting and Casting Techniques: https://cgcookie.com/course/introduction-to-casting-casting-techniques
* 3D Printing on the Form 1+: https://cgcookie.com/course/3d-printing-on-the-form-1
At least I think I have all aspects of this goal laid out in some fashion. I think I might want to augment some of the traditional art aspects with some outside resources as well, but not sure what additional things to focus on than already listed that might be helpful.
It is definitely a fantastic idea. Especially since you actually have a goal so that's why I have a feeling it'll probably work out for you.
I should probably take note an craft something as elaborate as this :p
EDIT: I just noticed each heading has a particular focus. I think I ought to take note.
What has helped me, is the reverse way of how you are currently doing it Erik.
Your approach is to first build a curriculum and then start to wonder what you can do with it.
(just like your local government has organizer their school-systems)
Along the way, I've learned something valuable in live:
Start with (curriculum curse-list) end-goals in mind.
How did I do this?
I landed upon Blender, since I wanted to:
- create my own General Dynamics YF-16 model (end-goal 1)
- and export/import it into Microsoft Flightsimulator FSX (end-goal 2) and fly it ((end-goal 3)
Then I started to work my way backwards, so find out which skills i needed to create,meet my end-goals.
The advantages of this approach are the following ones:
- You take a direct line (back) towards your end goal, without de-tours, sideways, distractions.
- You can choose to purely focus on getting your end-goal done (quick) and learn along the way.
- You only learn new skills when you need them on your project
- You do not overload your head with courses you do not need (yet), keeping your mind empty and light.
- You can instantly practice on a model which will become your end-goal.
- You get quicker results, which helps to build confidence in your own skills faster.
If you want to take a peek at my curriculum building, take a look over here:
General Dynamics YF-16 Prototyge - Full background story
Flickr - YF-16 prototype photo-albums and references
I hope these tips are useful for you.
RRonald: I already stated that I have a goal of wanting to make high end models for 3d printing. The issue is that my current level of work is not to the level I want it to be. Therefore, I am taking a step back and trying to chart out a plan to say what all do I need to learn to get where I want to go? I have already isolated it down to 3d modeling, traditional acrylic painting, 3d printing nuances, mesh deformation, and concept art.
3D Modeling = I need to make a model to print anything.
Concept Art = Concept art would greatly allow me to speed up 3d modeling by having references. Doing sketches on paper is faster to blueprint an idea than starting directly 3d modeling. In addition, it means I am not reliant on external references. I can make my own.
Acrylic Painting = A necessity for the 3d print to actually look good with color.
Mesh Deformation = Probably not as important, but I think doing an A-pose character into a quick rig and posing is faster and more accurate than trying to build the pose directly into the model.
3D Printing Aspects = I have puzzled out a few things, but there might be some thing someone has run into that might be helpful.
As such, the path forward is to build a foundation by focusing on each aspect. In the end, I think it ends up being both. You avoid taking the absolute shortest path to any objective. Too many people I have seen have given up on stuff because they tried to short cut themselves from stuff they really ought to have learned, but thought was not important. Later on those short comings limit their progress or slow them down. However, at the same time you do not want to learn everything as there are many things that are not needed. Which the idea I think comes back to a hybrid of both of trying to slow yourself down a bit to get a good foundation, but being selective in what you do to keep you going towards that goal.
Though as you suggested I have managed to take a couple of hours of my time to see what all does CG Cookie offer right now and I have isolated it into many of the above course links which are relevant to my end goal to the skills I want to try learning.
It will be interesting to see what comes up. The intro to blender felt like it had a really good flow from start to finish for seeing all of what blender can do and getting a good foundation. The Modeling I flow seemed a good progression. After that the Modeling II and III and a few other flows feel like a collection of related topics rather than an expected progression of start here, then go through here. However, at that point I can see as most people having varied interests that selecting and choosing where to go next might be the best path for what skills someone wants to build and refine.
EErik:
Thanks for explaining in more detail your chosen approach. I now understand your intentions better.
Great to read that you have taken a step back, since learning all of this can be very overwhelming sometimes, since there is always "more to learn".
"You avoid taking the absolute shortest path to any objective. Too many people I have seen have given up on stuff because they tried to short cut themselves from stuff they really ought to have learned, but thought was not important."
Nope, I simply choose to learn on the fly, (just in time learning) to keep my mind empty (enough) and focusses on the task at hand that I am working on now... and I am not many people.. I am me and I have my own unique approach.
"However, at that point I can see as most people having varied interests that selecting and choosing where to go next might be the best path for what skills someone wants to build and refine."
That is why I have chosen to reverse the learning process and put my current project-need centralized to what I want/need to learn to get the job done.