Quick background... I started using Newtek's Lightwave back in 1997 and then Maya back in 1999-2000... Before that it was Bryce 3D; anyone remember that dinosaur? I employed 3D as a longtime Graphic Artist, Art and Creative Director... HOWEVER, I never really understood what I was doing. I just got darn good results from the software. Some of you can relate.
So, since the Pandemic, I've been rethinking career and decided to master one thing. That one thing is 3D. What kind and for what industry isn't my concern at the moment. I am only concerned with learning it for now.
Having said that, the question I want to ask is this. What should I start with first?
I was told once that "3D" in and of itself is too vast, so consider compartmentalizing it, e.g., modeling, animation, etc. Break it up into smaller pieces. My thought is modeling first and then move onto there.
Thoughts?
understanding the modelling part of 3D seems to me to be the key ingredient...
you can't rig without a model for instance
nothing to texture without a model and so on
so I think you're correct in choosing modelling to start with...
Yes, definitely start with modeling. It is the first thing in the 3D process and everything else is dependent on the model. Check out the introductory flow as it is geared towards newcomers as well as explains why modelers do the things they do to make the rest of the process easier at the different steps. It's a good idea to go through the whole pipeline to gain an understanding of how each section is dependent on the previous as well as how to make it easier for the next step, then you can specialize.