A question for all...

[G1antp15to1]

How long have you all been using a 3d package, and what was the first 3d software you set foot into?

I juist think it would be interesting to see the variety of experience throughout the board.

thanks!

G1antp15to1

[Bimm the Stone]

Hi G1antp15to1,

I've been using ZBrush for nearly two years, no previous experience with 3D, nor familiar with any other package... I mean, I know them but can't seem to really get them hang of them. But then again I don't work in 'the field' and don't have the time to really dig into them.

cheers,

Bimm

[tez]

I had a go at 3D modling a few times in the past but back then it was too complicated for me.

My first real go at 3d was Zbrush, I dabbled for 20min and for about a year didnt try it again. On and of through that year I tryed a few other 3d applications and found that it didnt bring any fun or inspire me much. I cam back to Zbrush again and started using the guide manual and from there on I was hooked. After hitting some of Zbrushes limitations I in the end found a Program called Hexagon that for the first time alowed me to feel free working in a traditional modling software. Iv spent about 6 months with the demo of zbrush from memory and then brought the boxed version of zbrush 2. This was the first perchase of any software where I felt that I got my moneys worth, in terms of help, support and inspiration from others.

Its been about 2 years since I started with zbrush and a year with hexagon. Iv learnt some 3ds Max, XSI and Lightwave and will soon be implimenting My current tools with one of these 3 for my rendering work.

[cannedmushrooms]

Lightwave6 to Maya 5.0 to Zbrush 1.23


Now its Maya 8.5, Max 8.0 Zbrush 3.1

Man am I getting old;)

Of course I'm not counting the billion conversion programs I have dealt with over my time of being a geek

[diana]

My first exposure to 3d was Simply 3D by Micrografx in 1999. I have it installed on my WinXP system and use it now and then for old times sake. More often than not it's just to access a model that came with the package to convert it for use in another application but I still enjoy dabbling with it for animations since it had so many animated presets for motions and lights. I did model simple props in it for years; mostly vases, bowls, containers, tables and such.

[Sazdum]

I began using Zbrush in March 2007.......I had no experience with any 3d software. I became interested in 3d while working with textures in 2d and began researching the available software. I tried the free trial of 3dsmax and loved it, but just could not afford it. Then I tried the free trial of zbrush and was hooked!!! It was also affordable for me so I continued looking at what else was out there and soon it was clear that zbrush was what I wanted...

I still might put my easel up and do more oil paintings from time to time...

[SalmonGod]

I was a Computer Science major for 2 years before deciding I was a more creative than technical person... switched to a New Media major and loved it... my 3rd semester, I took my first 3d class and we used Max... the program didnt really click with me at all... it took me forever to do anything and I was constantly referencing, but it was so much fun just to think that I was doing 3d... then my next 3d class we used Maya, and it was much better, but I was still being outdone by all my more technically oriented classmates and I was still having fun but losing optimism

then I was over at a friend's house and he showed me a 2 or 3 minute glimpse of ZBrush 2... it was like "hey check out this thing I've been playing with... you paint 3d like a brush instead of all this messing with vertices... check it out, I just put horns on this head with a little wiggle of the mouse"

it blew me away... my head was swamped with inspiration... I immediately picked up the demo and started playing... it was really difficult to get used to, but I recognized the power and flexibility of the program right away... then I borrowed Meat's first Intro DVD and the whole thing just clicked with me... I fell in love... bought ZBrush and a tablet and I've been happy ever since... trying to force myself to work with any other clumsy 3d app is like pulling teeth, and when I get together with that friend, I often spend a little time teaching him things about ZBrush

[M29MATT]

Maya for four years (I think that put me at version 5.5 or 6, can't remember) and Zbrush for two =] There's a little mudbox and Max thrown in there as well, but not much of either.

[eldee.s]

Lightyears before most of you all had been borne :D, in 1991I should hope not. I shudder to think that the core userbase for ZBrush are 16 or younger. When I was a teenager I couldn't afford $500 for anything, let alone a piece of software :lol:

Edit: My first real 3D package was 3D Studio Max (version 2). Unless you include 3D mapping for Doom II.

[dreamco]

Lightyears before Zaphod ;) . Lightyears before..........3dstudio R4!!!!!
And as years passes with rush......we now have zBrush!!! :tu:

Respect to the olds! (Us i mean, hahaha)

[willbrown1]

My first 3D package was a PC based app called Topaz in 1994. The interface was a nightmare. I'd work on an object in the viewport and rotate the camera. Then I'd lose it. It didn't have a look at selected object command.

It did produce nice renders for the time.

[sirquadalot]

Started with 3DS R4 in 99, Migrated to Maya Unlimited 4.0 around 2,000. Been using ZB for about 6 years now.