Someone give me some motivation!

[Ste1978]

I am trying to learn 3ds max, it seems every youtube clip or screen grab is something amazing! I don't see how I can ever be as good as some of you guys. I'm getting a bit down about how long this learning road is! Can anyone give me any tips/hints/motivation; can you remember when you started learning this? How long did it take you? Did you feel the same?

A very frustrated cadman!

[Cad64]

Yes, it's a long road to learn this program, but you just have to stick with it. It gets easier as you gain experience.

I know your pain. I'm self taught, which is one of the hardest ways to learn anything because you have no one to help you but yourself. You don't have a teacher to give you projects and there are no due dates or deadlines to meet. There are no classes to attend so you have to be diligent and dedicated and motivate yourself to put in the hours on your own time, which is usually after work or on the weekends, when you would rather be doing other things than working. And since there is no one to critique your work to let you know if you're doing it right or wrong, you have no way to gauge your progress. So you have to rely on yourself to find projects and set deadlines and do the work and then critique it yourself or post it on forums for others to comment.

When I was learning, all I had were a couple of books. Now there's all sorts of training material available whether it's books, training dvd's, youtube videos, online tutorials, forums, etc. I think it's a lot easier to learn now than it used to be. But you still have to be dedicated and do the work. It's tough to stay motivated when you're learning on your own.

My best advice would be to just set goals for yourself. If you don't have goals it becomes very difficult to stay focused and motivated. Look online for photos of things you're interested in and then make it your goal to build a model of whatever object you choose. Set a due date for the finished project and then just get to work and try to build the model within the time frame you've set.

Another good way to stay motivated is to participate in online modeling challenges. Most 3D forums have competitions, and anyone can enter. They provide you with a concept and a deadline, and then it's up to you to build a model. You probably won't win any of these challenges, and you don't even have to submit your model if you don't want to, but it's great practice and having a deadline is the best way to motivate yourself. I wish our competitions section was more active. It would be great to host challenges here but no one ever wants to get involved.

I don't know if any of that helps you, but that's what I did when I was learning.

[Jack_O'neill]

I can only echo what Cad64 said. I too am mostly self-taught, and it is difficult to make yourself do it sometimes. Start out with simple objects and embellish on them. Things you have at hand you can measure and recreate. Draw your own living room, or cell phone or a bookcase...anything you can find in your house. If you take on too ambitious a project, you will get frustrated and bored. Walk before you try to run, and post your results here, inviting comments and suggestions. You'd be amazed at how much that will help.

[kencaz]

Bucky has some great Tutorials on 3ds...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwRkkGzA98k

KC

[Cad64]

Bucky has some great Tutorials on 3ds...

I love all the comments posted on that page about how to get Max for free by pretending to be a student.

If they want a free program, why don't they just use Blender? It can do pretty much everything Max can do, and they don't have to lie, cheat or steal in order to get it. It's free!!!

[kencaz]

I love all the comments posted on that page about how to get Max for free by pretending to be a student.

If they want a free program, why don't they just use Blender? It can do pretty much everything Max can do, and they don't have to lie, cheat or steal in order to get it. It's free!!!

Ha...Did not notice that. Funny.

[Ste1978]

Yes, it's a long road to learn this program, but you just have to stick with it. It gets easier as you gain experience.

I know your pain. I'm self taught, which is one of the hardest ways to learn anything because you have no one to help you but yourself. You don't have a teacher to give you projects and there are no due dates or deadlines to meet. There are no classes to attend so you have to be diligent and dedicated and motivate yourself to put in the hours on your own time, which is usually after work or on the weekends, when you would rather be doing other things than working. And since there is no one to critique your work to let you know if you're doing it right or wrong, you have no way to gauge your progress. So you have to rely on yourself to find projects and set deadlines and do the work and then critique it yourself or post it on forums for others to comment.

When I was learning, all I had were a couple of books. Now there's all sorts of training material available whether it's books, training dvd's, youtube videos, online tutorials, forums, etc. I think it's a lot easier to learn now than it used to be. But you still have to be dedicated and do the work. It's tough to stay motivated when you're learning on your own.

My best advice would be to just set goals for yourself. If you don't have goals it becomes very difficult to stay focused and motivated. Look online for photos of things you're interested in and then make it your goal to build a model of whatever object you choose. Set a due date for the finished project and then just get to work and try to build the model within the time frame you've set.

Another good way to stay motivated is to participate in online modeling challenges. Most 3D forums have competitions, and anyone can enter. They provide you with a concept and a deadline, and then it's up to you to build a model. You probably won't win any of these challenges, and you don't even have to submit your model if you don't want to, but it's great practice and having a deadline is the best way to motivate yourself. I wish our competitions section was more active. It would be great to host challenges here but no one ever wants to get involved.

I don't know if any of that helps you, but that's what I did when I was learning.

Thanks, that is great advice. I never thought of learning this way - you're right, I need to give myself challenges and maybe a project with a deadline. I suppose it's difficult to know where to begin!
I will spend some time in this thread and keep and eye out for these challenges. No way would I enter anything, but I like the idea of learning together!

[Jack_O'neill]

I love all the comments posted on that page about how to get Max for free by pretending to be a student.

If they want a free program, why don't they just use Blender? It can do pretty much everything Max can do, and they don't have to lie, cheat or steal in order to get it. It's free!!!

Blender...hmmm....never heard of that one. Checked it out though...looks interesting. Think I'll download it and play with it some.

[Cad64]

Ok, here are some sites for you to check out. They hold challenges on a regular basis, so there's lots to look at. You can browse through the past competitions and pick something that looks interesting. Read the rules regarding the competition and then try to create your model within the time frame that was given. There are enough challenges in the sites below to keep you busy for quite some time. Have fun!

http://forums.3dtotal.com/
http://challenge.cgsociety.org/
http://www.evermotion.org/vbulletin/...play.php?f=373
http://www.3dm3.com/forum/f82/
http://www.3drender.com/challenges/
http://www.gameartisans.org/gamecon/...ndex.php?cat=1
http://www.3dworldmag.com/3dworld-fo...splay.php?f=42

[arjun_samar]

One spoon at a time, take it one by one it's much easier to learn that way, me also is a self-taught. During my early days I always look at cool renders and I take them as my inspiration that I'll work harder, sleepless nights so one day I can render like those renders.

Redvertex once said, learn from the master so one day you'll be one of them. If someone give you some tips or advice you in a forum threat them well and with respect because in my experience they are the ones who will help you and inspires you along these never ending road of learning in CG, good luck!

Arjun