Comment on tgirlshayna's profile
Thanks for watching, although I have to admit that when I read your bio I was shocked to learn you listed "Blender" in the same sentence as Bryce. This is almost heresy - at least over at DAZ 3D... actually I downloaded Blender only the other day - part of my ongoing battle to figure out UV mapping. I'm back in my comfort zone of Wings 3D now... but if it remains comfortable for long I don't know - I've got an eye on the meshlab plugin.
LOL I totally feel you on Blender. While some nice renders can be done with it, it is insanely hard to use. Not intuitive at all. At the time it was the only program that was able to work meshes and export in gamebryo format, which is required for video games. I use 3DsMax now. Maybe I should update my Bio 
3DsMax? Is that no also insanely hard to use? I remember trying a demo of it about ten years ago and being totally baffled.
I use the 2012 version, and it does have a bit of a learning curve, but is much easier to understand than Blender, by far. Overall, the UI is much more intuitive than Blenders and UV mapping is much more simplified as well. The sheer amount of what 3Ds Max is capable of is what gives it the steeper curve than say, Wings 3D. I actually use Maya more as a strict modeler than 3Ds Max. I mainly use Max for gaming mods, modeling armors and weapons, and Maya for purely artistic endeavors.
Sounds highly involved for a hobby, is this something you do for a living then - if you don't mind my asking?
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, I must have missed your message. I take my gaming very seriously LOL I don't think I'm knowledgeable enough for real job yet, but that's the plan eventually. Right now I just do a bit of freelancing here and there. You know, simple stuff like business cards and logos, but it's a start.
Speaking of games... as well as Minecraft, the unwholesome addiction that is, I've also picked up Prison Architect - looks like maybe the game market and model is changing. Both these independent games have adopted the alpha release and development strategy. The whole community is essentially their test group. It's interesting to see games develop over time but it makes me wonder if in the future there will ever be such a thing as a "finished" game. Or if we are entering the realms of perpetual development cycles. Who could make another Minecraft now? If Minecraft is always in development and has been for years.
LOL ah Minecraft, I hear on that one 
I know what you mean, I think the idea is to create a virtual life of sorts. Much like the Metal Gear, Elder Scrolls, Halo and Splinter Cell ETC series have done. Players get to move through different phases of the player character's life and evolve with them. While at the same time allowing room for people new to the experience to come in and not be left out in the cold as to the overall story of the characters they're playing. Personally, I really like this aspect of games that do this, but I also see the advantages of the one and done approach for racing & sports games or a lot of the first person shooter games. Like Call of Duty, the wars keep happening, but you never play as the same character or era. There's also the one trick pony aspect. A lot of developers do one thing, but they do very well. Like Halo for example, but it keeps the cash flowing, and this fuels R&D for the next gen tech.
I know what you mean, I think the idea is to create a virtual life of sorts. Much like the Metal Gear, Elder Scrolls, Halo and Splinter Cell ETC series have done. Players get to move through different phases of the player character's life and evolve with them. While at the same time allowing room for people new to the experience to come in and not be left out in the cold as to the overall story of the characters they're playing. Personally, I really like this aspect of games that do this, but I also see the advantages of the one and done approach for racing & sports games or a lot of the first person shooter games. Like Call of Duty, the wars keep happening, but you never play as the same character or era. There's also the one trick pony aspect. A lot of developers do one thing, but they do very well. Like Halo for example, but it keeps the cash flowing, and this fuels R&D for the next gen tech. View all replies