Getting started - suggestions

headerko · 11th June 2008, 12:04 PM

Hello every1.
First of all i have to say many of your models are astonishing, when i see them it makes me sad i donno how to make one as well :( I would really like to learn to work with some 3D modeling program and AC3D looks great, and it's also 'affordable'. excuse my sucky english please ^^
To be honest i have never worked with such program, so i'd say i am a total beginner, maybe not even a beginner.

So I would like to ask you for directions where to start. Is there any complex literature, guides, that take beginners step by step through the program ? I have seen lot of tuorials and guides but they are mostly scattered and are very short. Or what's the best way to learn?

All suggestions and replies will be very much welcomed :)
Thank you,

headerko

lisa · 11th June 2008, 03:37 PM

Hi headerko!

The manual and the guides on this site are a good place to start. A lot of the tutorials for other programs also work for AC3D as the concepts are pretty similar; if you search the forums, many people have recommended good ones.

The best way to learn is by doing. Start with something *simple* and try building it. The biggest mistake people make is that they start with something very complex, like a character, and then they get frustrated. Start with something easy: a skyscraper, a coffee mug, a wine glass. Once you begin to understand the basics, work up to more and more complex things. You'll progress much faster that way.

Asking questions is always welcome too! There are many nice people here on the forums.

tbd · 11th June 2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

Asking questions is always welcome too! There are many nice people here on the forums.

Jupp, and Lisa is one of the nice people

headerko · 19th June 2008, 04:17 PM

well hello again, thx for the reply lisa.
well today i found some time to play a bit with ac3d. i read a few tutorials here and there, and then i started with some simple stuff, slowly i am exploring new and new functions and possibilities, but still i am a noob :D this is what i have managed to do so far

there are a few things i dont understand, for example, what are all those pink lines in 3d mode (can i turn them off, or are they of some use)? then, when using ctrl+t (stiching) 2 tubes together for example, do i have to go by each 2 vertexes or is there a way how to select all at ones and snap them to each other? and last thing, can u tell me where i can learn how to apply textures to give it some nice look ? any simple tutorial will do :)
thx in advance :)

lisa · 20th June 2008, 05:06 PM

Looks like you're getting the hang of it pretty quickly to me! Nice job.

Those pink lines in the 3D view are the surface normals; they show which direction the surface points so you can tell if something is inside-out. You can toggle them on and off by clicking 3D > Normals or by pressing the 'n' key on the keyboard.

For snapping multiple vertices, a good way to do is to use Snap Together by Distance. Move the two tube ends reasonably close together, then highlight the vertices on both sides and click Vertex > Snap Together by Distance. Enter a distance that's greater than the distance between the vertices, but not so large that it will snap all of them together. This will join the two parts without having to click each vertex.

Here's a basic texture tutorial:
http://www.inivis.com/ac3d/tutorials/carbody/index.html

This thread might come in handy too:
http://www.inivis.com/forum/showpost...2&postcount=10

headerko · 1st July 2008, 12:56 PM

Began to work on a sword or an axe, not sure yet. Just working on the handle atm. Trying to work "clean" but still i mess up a lot of things

But i definitely like ac3d. I still didnt figure out skinning, but honestly i havent tried hard yet, am gonna try it when i finish with this weapon.

11th June 2008, 12:04 PM	#1
headerko Junior Member Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Slovakia Posts: 20	Getting started - suggestions Hello every1. First of all i have to say many of your models are astonishing, when i see them it makes me sad i donno how to make one as well :( I would really like to learn to work with some 3D modeling program and AC3D looks great, and it's also 'affordable'. excuse my sucky english please ^^ To be honest i have never worked with such program, so i'd say i am a total beginner, maybe not even a beginner. So I would like to ask you for directions where to start. Is there any complex literature, guides, that take beginners step by step through the program ? I have seen lot of tuorials and guides but they are mostly scattered and are very short. Or what's the best way to learn? All suggestions and replies will be very much welcomed :) Thank you, headerko

11th June 2008, 03:37 PM	#2
lisa Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 917	Re: Getting started - suggestions Hi headerko! The manual and the guides on this site are a good place to start. A lot of the tutorials for other programs also work for AC3D as the concepts are pretty similar; if you search the forums, many people have recommended good ones. The best way to learn is by doing. Start with something simple and try building it. The biggest mistake people make is that they start with something very complex, like a character, and then they get frustrated. Start with something easy: a skyscraper, a coffee mug, a wine glass. Once you begin to understand the basics, work up to more and more complex things. You'll progress much faster that way. Asking questions is always welcome too! There are many nice people here on the forums.

19th June 2008, 04:17 PM	#4
headerko Junior Member Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Slovakia Posts: 20	Re: Getting started - suggestions well hello again, thx for the reply lisa. well today i found some time to play a bit with ac3d. i read a few tutorials here and there, and then i started with some simple stuff, slowly i am exploring new and new functions and possibilities, but still i am a noob :D this is what i have managed to do so far there are a few things i dont understand, for example, what are all those pink lines in 3d mode (can i turn them off, or are they of some use)? then, when using ctrl+t (stiching) 2 tubes together for example, do i have to go by each 2 vertexes or is there a way how to select all at ones and snap them to each other? and last thing, can u tell me where i can learn how to apply textures to give it some nice look ? any simple tutorial will do :) thx in advance :)

20th June 2008, 05:06 PM	#5
lisa Senior Member Professional user Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 917	Re: Getting started - suggestions Looks like you're getting the hang of it pretty quickly to me! Nice job. Those pink lines in the 3D view are the surface normals; they show which direction the surface points so you can tell if something is inside-out. You can toggle them on and off by clicking 3D > Normals or by pressing the 'n' key on the keyboard. For snapping multiple vertices, a good way to do is to use Snap Together by Distance. Move the two tube ends reasonably close together, then highlight the vertices on both sides and click Vertex > Snap Together by Distance. Enter a distance that's greater than the distance between the vertices, but not so large that it will snap all of them together. This will join the two parts without having to click each vertex. Here's a basic texture tutorial: http://www.inivis.com/ac3d/tutorials/carbody/index.html This thread might come in handy too: http://www.inivis.com/forum/showpost...2&postcount=10

1st July 2008, 12:56 PM	#6
headerko Junior Member Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Slovakia Posts: 20	Re: Getting started - suggestions Began to work on a sword or an axe, not sure yet. Just working on the handle atm. Trying to work "clean" but still i mess up a lot of things But i definitely like ac3d. I still didnt figure out skinning, but honestly i havent tried hard yet, am gonna try it when i finish with this weapon.