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Learning 3D Technology
The distinction between making images with a 3D application and making images with a 2D application is that in 3D graphics, the original file holds a description of three-dimensional information from which the images were calculated, as if a camera took photos of the scene. This is made possible by complex mathematical simulation of three-dimensional reality, all hidden by a user-friendly interface.
Creating Your Vision in 3D
The process of creating vision in 3D involves:
Modeling-creating the geometric objects that make up your scene.
Texturing- applying images to the surfaces of your objects.
Animating-adding motion to your objects or changing them over time.
Lighting-adding shadow, color tone, and mood to your scene
Rendering-creating the series of 2D images of your action by shooting through a virtual movie camera.
Finding a Career in 3D
Working in 3D can be highly competitive, with some jobs much more so than others. If you are just starting out, consider spending sevral years building your art and software skills before going for that animator;s job at Multinational Company. There are also many other fields within 3D, where you might be able to put your previous background to work.
In film work, especially, there are many highly specialized job description. Skilled programmers can work on something as detailed as one shading algorithm or physics simulation; for example, the rushing water in Antz was created with detailed models of water movement written in a proprietary programming language. On the other end, and entry-level CG (computer graphics) job in film is wire removal, where wires and unwanted features are removed frame by frame from a shot through a process called rotoscoping, involving the use of complex animated mattes. You can specialize just in modeling, just in texturing, just in character animation, just in lighting, or just in composting.
Work in the video game industry is also very competitive, Because game companies are smaller, however, fewer people are so narrowly specialized as in film. Chances are you'll have to be skilled in a variety of 3D areas to land a job with a game company. At game company. it is more important to know the ins and outs of a computer application in order to animate character. In film, there are often separate animators for effects and for characters, whereas in games, an animator needs to be familiar with all the types of animation needed. The nature of the skills involved in gaming is different, too; film work is high-resolution and generally as detailed and accurate as possible, while games require more "cheats" and doing a lot with limited resolution. Max is very widely used in the game industry because of its array of tools for game development. Max is also increasingly used in film work because of its range of tools for creating cinematic effects.
Beyond the highly sought-after jobs in film and games, there are the many options mentioned earlier, where 3D can be incorporated into fields involving some kind of visualization or design. For example, law firms often require 3D graphics in their legal and forensic work. Any experience or understanding you have in a field can help you in creating high-quality CG projects in that field. While some industries projects are offered on a contract basis.
Web work in 3D is growing. Web development companies increasingly use max for creating digital video or to export to Flash, Pulse, or another Web application. If you develop the skills to put 3D art on the Web, you not only have the ability to reach a huge audience with your work, but you also have a marketable skill for which the demand is increasing. If you have a background in Java or JavaScript programming, with advanced skills in HTML coding, you could also put this to use programming interactive behaviors for Web 3D content.
Another career opportunity in 3D lies in explaining the technology to others. Schools,colleges, and IT training institute need max teachers. 3D software companies need technical support people to coach users through difficulties with the software, and they need technical writers and editors to document applications. If you are good at managing creative people, understand the artistic big picture, and also understand the business side of the big picture, project managers are needed for many sort of CG projects.
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