Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

FPSC Classic Models and Media / Is modelling as complicated as it sounds?

Author
Message
bruce3371
14
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Aug 2010
Location: Englishland
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 20:20
Link
I've been reading through the forums (as you do lol). I keep reading about things like 'light mapping' 'uv mapping' 'texture mapping' etc etc. It all looks so complicated. Even worse, there's no explanation of what they all mean. As good as some of the work here is; I want to be able to make my own models, instead of relying on other people.

The problem is, I haven't the first clue where to begin :S For an absolute beginner, it's all a bit daunting.

Are there any easy-to-follow tutorials out there, that not only explain how to make and texture 3d models, but also give an explanation of what all the different terms mean?

I don't even mind being treated like an idiot, as long as everything is explained in a nice clear, step-by-step format.

I game therefore I am.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Nilloc
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 14th Nov 2009
Location:
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 20:43
Link
it can be i recomend tutorials

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Gencheff
14
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 12th Jun 2010
Location: UK by way of USSR
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 20:54
Link
It's not that hard,but it is very time consuming.Use google for modelling and mapping tutorials.

I have a different aproach when it comes to learning.I don't read tutorials,I use the trial & error method.So far I've learned a lot.

Don't worry.2 Months ago,I didn't know either what UV Mapping is

Back to top
Profile PM Email
lazerus
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Apr 2008
Location:
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 21:04
Link
Why does nobody stop by the 3d chat board on this forum???

Anyway, yes there are fancy terms to everything, difficult? yes, to start out with but you gradually learn tips and tricks like any other skill. If your willing to put the effort in, then others will help you just as much. Terms like uvmapping and texture mapping ect are very simple to google and understand.

When youv researched a little come over to the 3d chat boards with your progress

-Con


http://lazerus-reborn.deviantart.com/
Back to top
Profile PM Email
bruce3371
14
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Aug 2010
Location: Englishland
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 21:25
Link
I found the Blender wiki tutorial 'book', so I'm going to read through that and get stuck in, thanks for the replies

I game therefore I am.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Nbt
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 11th Oct 2009
Location: Behind you!!
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 21:28
Link
Quote: "Gencheff Wrote: I have a different aproach when it comes to learning.I don't read tutorials,I use the trial & error method.So far I've learned a lot."


Nothing beats the old "Poke n Hope" method Still may favourite way to learn ^_^

Back to top
Profile PM Email
bruce3371
14
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Aug 2010
Location: Englishland
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 21:30
Link
Quote: ""Poke n Hope""


Said the actress to the virgin lol. Sorry, my dirty sense of humour showed itself then!!

I game therefore I am.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
anayar
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 19th Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 23:30 Edited at: 18th Aug 2010 23:44
Link
Well it all depends on what tools you use... You can do the same job with your hands (If your Chuck Norris), a hammer, or a power tool... They all do the trick but obviously the power tool will be the fastest and easiest

To this day I can't uv map for my life... Thanks to some helpful people (CP) I am able to get better... If you want CP's tut e-mail me

BTW: You need any help, you have my email

Cheers,
Anayar


For KeithC
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Kravenwolf
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 14th Apr 2009
Location: Silent Hill
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 23:42
Link
Quote: "You can do the same job with your hands, a hammer, or a power tool... They all do the trick"


I've never heard of anyone that can drive a nail into hardwood with their bare hands Execpt maybe Chuck Norris.

Kravenwolf

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
anayar
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 19th Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 23:45
Link
That's a good point... I've edited my post



Cheers,
Anayar


For KeithC
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Nbt
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 11th Oct 2009
Location: Behind you!!
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 23:53
Link
Quote: "I've never heard of anyone that can drive a nail into hardwood with their bare hands Execpt maybe Chuck Norris."


All praise the Norris!

Back to top
Profile PM Email
bruce3371
14
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Aug 2010
Location: Englishland
Posted: 18th Aug 2010 23:59
Link
Thanks for the tips guys. In particular, I'd like to learn how to make character models, so that I can put them into my game. But obviously I need to learn to walk before I can run!

I game therefore I am.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
anayar
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 19th Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posted: 19th Aug 2010 00:04
Link
If your making characters, I recommend getting Character Studio... I find it to be extremely easy to use and it has good functionality too

Cheers,
Anayar


For KeithC
Back to top
Profile PM Email
bruce3371
14
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Aug 2010
Location: Englishland
Posted: 19th Aug 2010 00:11
Link
Unfortunately, I am on a very tight budget, so I am having to rely on free software. It's a bit of a pain to be honest. I would like to make my game as good as possible, but knowing my budgetary constraints, I am having to fit the whole project around that limitation.

I game therefore I am.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Flatlander
FPSC Tool Maker
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Jan 2007
Location: The Flatlands
Posted: 19th Aug 2010 00:21 Edited at: 19th Aug 2010 00:23
Link
Like everything else, it takes time, more time and even more time to learn. To me the learning curve is steep, but it may not be as steep for others.

I don't have the time and so I will not learn how to model. So, if you have the time start out slow and don't spend a lot of money on the tools.

I was a photographer in a prior life and my favorite anecdote about using tools is this. It is told by a famous photographer (no longer alive). I used to know his name but can't remember it now.

Quote: "Recently, someone came up to me and asked me what kind of camera I used. A Leica, I replied, why? He responded, 'Because I want to take as good of pictures as you take.' I said, 'it is not the camera that takes good pictures. It is the person behind the camera. You must study and practice to be adequate. Doing this for a long time you will be good. But, you must eat, sleep and drink photography to be excellent.'"


There are at least three ways to learn. Read books and tutorials. Go to school, or do what NBT eluded to. Try, then fail, then try again. When I first started programming, this is what I did a lot of and still do. Reading and using (hands on) is the way to learn.

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Add more adventure to your game -- use RPG Mod
Back to top
Profile PM Email
lazerus
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Apr 2008
Location:
Posted: 19th Aug 2010 00:23
Link
Cough

Theres plenty of high standard freeware, blender ranking the highest animator is pretty high too since neo and frap? can do some pretty amazing things with it.


http://lazerus-reborn.deviantart.com/
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Flatlander
FPSC Tool Maker
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Jan 2007
Location: The Flatlands
Posted: 19th Aug 2010 00:25
Link
Oh, and as Lazerus brought up earlier. Spend some time on the 3D chat board. Probably will learn a few things there.

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Add more adventure to your game -- use RPG Mod
Back to top
Profile PM Email
bruce3371
14
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Aug 2010
Location: Englishland
Posted: 19th Aug 2010 00:31
Link
I think blender is the route I'll be taking, even though it has a steep learning curve.

I game therefore I am.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
anayar
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 19th Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posted: 19th Aug 2010 00:58
Link
Bruce: Replied

Cheers,
Anayar


For KeithC
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Nbt
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 11th Oct 2009
Location: Behind you!!
Posted: 19th Aug 2010 01:12 Edited at: 19th Aug 2010 01:13
Link
Quote: "I think blender is the route I'll be taking, even though it has a steep learning curve."

It's not as bad as it once was Brucie, the newer beta's have brought it along quite a bit, from it's early days of being the left overs from a failed/bankrupt in house editor/engine tool.

When I last tried it it was a total mess using the same horrid key shortcuts method akin to DeleD and such, with a user interface pulled from an Amiga setup tool from the looks of it

Kravenwolf does some wonderful stuff with it, so I would say it is worth putting in the effort to get to grips with it myself. Plus it's free, so even if you do find it too hard and move on to something else, you lost nothing

Back to top
Profile PM Email
The Storyteller 01
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 11th May 2009
Location: On a silent hill in dead space
Posted: 19th Aug 2010 02:34 Edited at: 19th Aug 2010 02:35
Link
For every modeling "artist", no matter if one works with wood, clay or a 3D modeling program, there's a simple rule:

If you can draw it on a piece of paper, you can learn to make a model too. But if you couldn't draw p.e. a weapon or a soldier, you'll have an equal hard time constructing proper models and textures of them.

In case you find my grammar and spelling weird ---> native German speaker ^^
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
bruce3371
14
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Aug 2010
Location: Englishland
Posted: 19th Aug 2010 17:53
Link
Quote: "If you can draw it on a piece of paper, you can learn to make a model too. But if you couldn't draw p.e. a weapon or a soldier, you'll have an equal hard time constructing proper models and textures of them."


That's my main worry, I have never been that good of an artist, so I already know I am going to struggle with character modelling in particular. As for the rest, I'll just do my best, learn from scratch and take baby steps along the way!

I game therefore I am.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Conjured Entertainment
AGK Developer
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 12th Sep 2005
Location: Nirvana
Posted: 19th Aug 2010 18:22
Link
Modeling is not that hard; it is learning the interface that is difficult, because most modeling programs have so many features.

Just start out plopping in basic primitives and then shape them into what you want it to be.
That is the easiest way to get started.

I started out with MilkShape 3D, and I still use it because of its simplicity. (that interface is awesome once you do know what you are doing)
Milkshape has some good tutorials at their forums and there was one in particular that builds a character from scratch, which is awesome.
Most of the programs probably have tutorials for beginners, and once you do learn the terms then learning how to use the interface will become easier.

It just takes time and will power, but if you stickk with it then you will get it down.

Quote: "If you can draw it on a piece of paper, you can learn to make a model too. But if you couldn't draw p.e. a weapon or a soldier, you'll have an equal hard time constructing proper models and textures of them."

Yeah, I agree that you have to have artistic talent for it to be easier, and that is why I still struggle with texturing my models.

   Conjured Entertainment

 WARNING: Intense Madness
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2025-05-30 13:32:07
Your offset time is: 2025-05-30 13:32:07