How do you afford all the software?

[johanz]

No really, ok zbrush alone doesn't cost that much, but if you throw in modeling app, photoshop and maybe some other tools, in the end it will cost you thousands. So unless your workplace provided you with the software, how can a simple mortal afford all this?
I was always wondering this, or maybe it's just because I come from a rather poor country with low salaries or something.
Tell me your secrets. :idea:

[Richard Marklew]

Well I use blender as a modelling app, cost £0.00

Richard

[sheaspina]

The same way you buy anything else expensive. Work -> Save/borrow.

[johanz]

Well I use blender as a modelling app, cost £0.00

RichardI used blender before I got max from my school.
I think max's ui is much better and for me, it makes my workflow faster.
But that's just a preference.

[huan80]

I think that ZBrush is currently the only commercial graphics software that I'm using. Gimp admittedly has a horrible interface, but it gets the job done, and Blender is comparable to a lot of commercial packages that cost thousands of dollars. That isn't to say that I wouldn't use Maya and Photoshop if I could afford them, but for the price, you can't beat open source.

[Ares1979]

ok, so many people download copies from torrent sites or whatever they call it, but at the end of the day, you will feel more accomplished as an artist if you save every penny you have to buy the apps out there that may cost a coupla grand, but believe me, if you buy software 'legally', you will see the benefits will greatly improve your artwork.
I can say honestly that in the past I have downloaded an app for free from a torrent site, (nobody has the balls to admit this) but the feeling of 'paying' for an app is much more fulfilling than being a fuuccckkkkiiin thief and stealing from these companies, (whoever they may be) that work so hard to meet artists like us's needs, to push out the fragments of our minds to show the world our artwork.


Hope this helps.

[johanz]

ok, so many people download copies from torrent sites or whatever they call it, but at the end of the day, you will feel more accomplished as an artist if you save every penny you have to buy the apps out there that may cost a coupla grand, but believe me, if you buy software 'legally', you will see the benefits will greatly improve your artwork.
I can say honestly that in the past I have downloaded an app for free from a torrent site, (nobody has the balls to admit this) but the feeling of 'paying' for an app is much more fulfilling than being a fuuccckkkkiiin thief and stealing from these companies, (whoever they may be) that work so hard to meet artists like us's needs, to push out the fragments of our minds to show the world our artwork.


Hope this helps.That's so true. I am saving up to get zbrush. The devs behind zbrush are awesome, releasing a uv mapping plugin for free like that, just great.

[poly_cruncher]

I get student discounts through academia.

[huan80]

I feel like I should clarify that open source software like Blender and The Gimp are 100% legitimate and legal, developed under the GNU General Public License by an enthusiastic community. I don't think Ares1979 was implying otherwise, and I agree with him entirely about stealing software. I just don't want people to think there's anything nefarious about downloading open software.

[Ares1979]

you will be thankfull after paying the readies for this awesome app.
the guyz at pixologic have slaved away at making (to me and many MANY others) the best app of its kind. Yes theres Mudbox, but I swear down on my own life, that nuffin compares to these dudes at Pixologic,
I started Zbrushing a coupla months ago, and have realised it is the perfect tool for creation of the new era of digital sculpting.

To Pixologic, you must give each other a SUPER pat on the back of eachhother. Coz this software slaughters any other!!!!!!!!!!!
Its the new generation of modelling and Digi sculpting in every aspect.

Thanks
JJ

p.s This speach of mine is not by any way implying that one is thinking of downing illegally, but simply saying that it is worth every penny of ones pocket to buy any apps available with real paper/money. You will become a better Artist...........:)

[phloog]

Why I hate pirates:

I USED to buy my software by working extra hours, then begging, then finally affording 3dStudio R3 for DOS. Shortly after I bought it a guy I was going to college with showed me HIS copy - down in a stack of other pirated software.

I don't smoke, rarely drink, don't gamble and don't have a boat or other hobbies. Despite not making much money in the early days, I always paid for legal copies of anything I used. Knowing that I was able to do it by just giving up other things, it bugs me to this day that people steal the stuff - no matter their reasons. Now that Blender and other free options are out, it makes it even more senseless, but even without free options it was wrong.

Now I am working a 'day job' that gives me enough money to buy all the software I need if I save a bit. I currently make just over four times as much as I did back in the late 80's / early 90's when I started, and it still annoys me when people steal software, because I know that even if I was as broke as I was back then, I wouldn't pirate.

[bicc39]

Zbrush was a birthday present to myself.
Photoshop 7, I saved for.
Photoshop Cs4 extended was a present from a company I worked for.
Poser (most fun) was purchased cheaply at a Siggraph.
Some years ago, met one of the CEO's of Maya, very kind man who
has kept me in Maya"s for awhile.
Vue 7 purchased by my better half.
Lot of camera equipment purchased at the cost of peanut butter and jelly
for lunch.
As someone here mentioned some software represent vactions not taken,
new cars not bought, cheaper suits, and most of all a love for pizza
and dollar menus.
Point, if you want them badly enough you can get them.
One final point, right now Pixologic is offering a free download of a plugin
for uv's.
This and the many other items for zbrush, came at the cost of many hours
worked by the people that work here.
They are a software company that, although I fight with them, I have enormous respect for their work and their attitude towards their customers.
To steal from them ( and that is what you are doing) by getting the program
without paying is hurtful to all of us.

[Ares1979]

bicc39:well said:tu:
phloog:U2:tu:

[Dmonk]

I have a full time job and I save my money after all of my expenses are paid.

Once you get out of school and start working, the cost isn't as large as it seems when you are a broke student.

How old are you?

[Crotalis]

Bargain hunting is also helpful at times. It's a little harder to do with the 3d programs, but it can save you a lot of money with Adobe programs. For example, I use the cs3 Production Premium suite. I got it on Amazon shortly after CS4 came out. The person I bought it from had won it at a convention and had no need for it (it was even still in the shrink wrap). Between that and the fact that it was now an "old" version, I saved a few hundred dollars. You have to be careful here, as there are people who try to pass off "cracked" versions as legit, but if you do your homework you should be fine.

For XSI, I had the less expensive Foundations version, then upgraded when they offered the discounted upgrade to Essentials (this was right when Autodesk bought them). The upgrade was still expensive, but my tax return that year more than payed for it. Doing things like that has saved me A LOT of cash over the years. As someone mentioned, if you have a regular full time job, and are willing to sacrifice here and there, it's not as bad as it appears.

[Intervain]

software represent vactions not taken,
new cars not bought, cheaper suits, and most of all a love for pizza
and dollar menus.
Point, if you want them badly enough you can get them.


basically says it all - unless one's a shah or a lottery winner :)

[testure]

how did this turn into a discussion about piracy? he asked how you afford it, not a moral lecture on IP theft...

The answer to the OP's question is really quite simple, and has already been answered- get a job, save money, buy it. Same as anything else.

[Ares1979]

testure is that a chip on your shoulder or what????
you wanna eat it mate.

[cannedmushrooms]

I’ll try to keep this general for anyone cause I hear this a lot.

Ask yourself "At what stage am I at"

I often get students asking the same question "How do I afford all this software"

In a professional manner "you can't", Yet. But are you ready to be professional or are you still learning?

Professionally you find ways to use what you have until you get enough work around jobs by using opensource software. (If you are trying to freelance your way to the top).

I often tell students before they go down the educational college road, don't get a degree in 3d modeling and animation, it's to narrow. Aim for something that makes money right out of college and use educational priced software to build a portfolio and learn as you go in the 3d field. When your ready to go pro and make money from what you produce you have two hats to wear in life and you can buy all the software you need. (hats = job types).

The whole time you are in college take the opportunity to use educational priced software to learn from.

I am an artist, but I knew art was something I could do anytime and it takes practice to become better. The 3d field can be learnt the same way through the many resources on the net and you also need practice to become better.

I became a computer programmer while studying 3D and practicing.

Not became a 3d modeler while studying programming. (Cause self-learning programming is harder and programmer = civilian job in starvation times).

So if you’re a student this post is relevant.

Opensource + Educational priced software until your ready to sell stuff or ready to work for a company.



If this post is not relevant to your question, maybe it might help somebody ;)

[Morgs]

I work full time in logistics, 3d is just fun for me, I have quite a few good reasonably priced apps, to start with I ditched Maya, then I found some local people who are willing to pay for my services, mostly arch viz, you pass on the cost of the software to those guys, or use cheap apps like blender,gimp or a student version of houdini.

[bicc39]

No one has mentioned breaking into someone's home
and stealing the discs yet?
Possble way to go.
Drawback is having to make sure operating system is the same.

[Super Glitcher]

No one has mentioned breaking into someone's home
and stealing the discs yet?
Possble way to go.
Drawback is having to make sure operating system is the same.Well if you're already in there doing grand larsony you may as well take the comp too eh? No worries on the OS at that point.. :rolleyes:

[Ares1979]

lol:rolleyes: :lol:

[bicc39]

It's the logistics involved in crawling out a window in the early
morning hours with a computer.
Dell or HP would give you a hernia.
Gateway, people would help you lift it.
But if you were guaranteed a laptop......
Also software would be a misdeameanor, computer=grand larceny.
I am too old to room with Bubba.

[Ares1979]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: