Hey everyone! I've signed up to CGCookie roughly the same time I started Blender, which was about ten days ago (we'll say May 8th, 2019 for the sake of documentation). Seems like a magical time where everyone is using Blender 2.8 Beta and are biting their nails to stubs waiting for 2.8 Stable.
I've been drawing since I was three, always wanting to get into animation since I was twelve and animating stick figures on post-it notepads shooting each other in the face with cannons. I admit, I was a bit of a demented kid. Anyways I've recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia which is kind of a game-changer and I can't work for the time being. So instead of wasting my time watching TV and sleeping I'm taking this opportunity to learn skills on CGCookie and other tutorials floating around. My goal is to be employable in the 3D field within the next two to five years so expect to see me from time to time for the next little while.
From what I've read up on in the forum, from testimonials, and from other articles on this site it's best not to dip a toe in but to dive in head first so that's what I'm going to do. Oh, and I'm no stranger to critiquing so don't be afraid to hurt my delicate feelings if it leads to a better end result. On with the show!
I looked at a previous livestream (BC1-1808) since it works with Blender 2.8 and I don't want to get comfortable with 2.79 only to have to re-orientate myself with 2.8 when the stable release is finally out. The first project was to make a scene entirely out of primitives. I opted for an 8-piece drum kit.
Still new to everything, even camera placement and lighting (which could definitely use some refinement) but the project was modelling-focused so that's what I focused on. I also uploaded it on SketchFab, you can check it out there if you like.
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/8-piece-drum-kit-primitives-16b8e8dd53ab4648980b3d7ec2c80599
First of all. welcome!
I think you are right to start with 2.80, because it is quite stable already and it might even teach you to save often;)
This looks amazing, even if I forget, that you've only started using Blender10 days ago!
You said that you've been drawing for a long time, but do you have any 3D experience before Blender? (I guess not, because you probably would have mentioned it, I think...)
Anyway, happy learning, I 'm looking forward to seeing your progress.
As for animation, CGCookie has a fantastic teacher, Wayne Dixon, so your in the right place (I didn't mean that the other CGCookie teachers aren't great, of course).
(It would surprise me if you would need two years to become employable..)
spikeyxxx I did take a course in Graphic Design which taught 3D Studio Max for three weeks. But that was 17 years ago and I haven't touched it since. So, yeah, I'm pretty much starting from scratch.
*Reads Topic*
Oh, he's a beginner.
*Scrolls down, expecting to see donuts and anvils*
*Gets his mind blown*
He can't possibly be a beginner...
Welcome to CG Cookie!
williamatics Lol! Actually I just looked at some of the submissions others uploaded for this project and had to compete. Now that I think about it, maybe some of the artists had more experience at the time...
straocastus totally awesome use of primitives!! Welcome to the Cookie 😊
Oh and you're right btw, there were some advanced users in the class, helping beginners and inspiring us 😉
ssmurfmier1985 Hey, thanks a lot! Yeah, I'm looking at windmills and chess boards. All sorts of stuff thinking, "Wow, the bar is set awfully high! Here's my project with it's 891 objects in it!" Oh well, it was fun.
straocastus That is the single most ambitious "primitive scene" I think I've seen posted here yet! Amazing work...welcome to CG Cookie!
jakeblended Thanks, dude. Now I just have to take that momentum with me through to my next project.
straocastus Hi, and welcome to the community! Impressive results so far. Definitely keeping an eye on you 👀
Edit: Looking at your model on Sketchfab, and the default lighting is blowing out the details. Don't worry, this is a common problem with Sketchfab. Luckily, you can adjust it under 3D Settings->Lightbulb->Environment and you can fiddle with the Brightness and Intensity to get less blown out lights.
silentheart00 Hey, thanks for the Sketchfab tip. I fixed up the brightness issue so it isn't so overpowering.
But yeah, 20 hours of tutorials later I've come to the realization that 3D modelling is a lot more than just manipulating primatives. I was hoping to release work a little more consistently but you gotta learn how to walk before you can run, as they say.
It's been a few years since I last posted here. As it turned out my father got really sick with cancer and that curtailed things for me as I didn't have much free time to do anything. Almost lost him, but he's in remission now so that's all good news.
Anyways, here's to hoping I can better devout myself to 3D in the future. So I just completed the final project in the Fundamentals of 3D Mesh Modeling course. And I must say, modeling requires a solid sense of intuition when building using primitives from scratch. Had to review the entire course three times, but hey, whatever it takes, right? Thought I'd upload the final render (submission grade pending) to my polybook. Tell me whatcha think.
Sorry to hear about your father, hope he is well now, and welcome back!
Watching the course 3 times is dedication.
'3 times a charm!' as they say.
I have reviewed your exercise submission.
One word...
Excellent!
straocastus Wow, you perfectly demonstrated that you can create very detailed objects just with primitives 😀👍! It's already looking great and I'm sure it would look even greater with the right textures and lighting on it 😀!
duerer Thanks Ingmar. That was done about 2 years ago when Blender 2.8 was still in beta. There wasn't really any tutorials online for 2.8 at the time. But now CGCookie has learning flows and everything (I'm currently on Fundamentals of Digital Sculpting). The drum kit was awfully ambitious for my first project. I might revisit it and add textures and whatnot once I become more familiar with Blender.
straocastus Thanks for your answer, Paul. Your drum kit is still fascinating me 😀👍! I'm looking forward to your next projects and especially what you'll achieve in the field of sculpting! I'm sure it will be great 😀!
straocastus Best wishes for your father! Your low-poly room is an excellent work 😀👍! I very much like the guitar 🎸and the happy and sunny atmosphere in your room 🌞!
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/shark-sculpt-8e07a40b43d54528bdb9a90f7765057e
Whelp, after going through the lessons three times and going through the project four times, I finally completed something I'm semi-proud of. The first three gos at it didn't suit my fancy, so fourth time's the charm, eh?