| Maya is not only one of the most powerful 3D software packages available, it’s one of the most complicated. The possibilities are as limitless as the paths to get to them. This maze of tools can be very difficult to traverse for those looking to begin “high-end 3D” work. I think your guides, Tom and Shin, will make this journey much easier.
I met Tom when he was my student. I was still with Industrial Light & Magic, and Tom was just beginning his 3D work. Along with a handful of other students, we began to work on projects that required us to approach the work not from a student or teacher perspective, but as a production artist. While this may seem like a subtle difference, production is a completely different world. The saying, “The map is not the territory” perfectly describes the 3D market. So many things seem to make sense in theory and work in isolated cases, but they quickly fall apart under the weight of the “Real World.”
When thinking about graphics, production, or life in general, this is one of the most important things to remember. We often think of learning as a set of skills, a collection of “tricks up our sleeve.” Many classes and books provide many of these tidbits. But this rarely leads us to a profound understanding of our art that truly provides a foundation for inspiring work. Small problems become days of frustration or failure. We follow what we are “supposed” to do for weeks when the most effective, and often unconventional, solution is only days away.
The key is to understand the underlying principles of the process. With these principles in mind, one has the agility to handle the issue at hand with a solid footing and clear vision. Through true understanding of the art in which we are immersed, we can have a bird’s-eye view of the process to help us make intelligent and grounded decisions. |
