[Made Man]

Hey everybody, its my first post. I have to compliment you Buzz on a great site. Just awsome!!! Got a few questions for you guys. I'm a 6th semester computer science major w/ business minor at Uconn, and was considering the 3d industry for when I graduate. What kind of jobs would I be able to get with a comp. science degree? I've never had any formal training with 3d software, but I have been using MayaPLE and Buzz's Maya VTMs, and I'm taking Houdini 101, so I do have some general knowledge of a 3d software package. Would I have to get some kind of formal training of a 3d software to be competitive in my job search, or will a comp. science degree be enough? I'm thinking that training after college will be a plus. Can anybody recommend any places for training that would suit me best? Thanks for your help.

-pete

[fuzzylizard]

I depends. What are your marks in math? Specifically calculus, geometry, vector calculus linear algebra, and physics.

From a computer science point of view, 3d is mostly math. Very, very complex math.

There are positions in UI design as well.

I would suggest getting a Masters degree in some part of 3d animation.

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Now for a different position.

Another possibility is if you understand the programming languages supported by each of the highend software packages, then you might be able to get a job creating plugins at an animation studio or post-production effects house.

[PhlegmMaster]

Hey, welcome!!!!

I'm also doing computer science at university (just finished the second lecture )

[icedeyes1981]

If you want to work as a 3d modeller animator etc. you have to have a very good demo reel that will speak for itself... If you want to get into 3d programming create a kick a$$ project of yours using c or c++ to have the best chances to get in the indutry.... Seeing is believing and noone will take your word for it...

[Hugh]

I'm in the final semester of a Computer Science degree (Bristol, UK), and would love to go on to be a TD - doing the Maya TD course, and really appreciating the programming that I've learnt as part of my course...

Over the past few years, I've also done a lot of 3D which is essential - unless you want to go into software design for 3D

[Made Man]

Thanks for your replies. I've done very well in all my math courses: Calculus, Multivariable Calc, Differential Equations, Physics so math is no problem for me. A job creating plugins may be ideal for me, but I have no experience doing this. I plan on becoming a member sponsor and taking Buzz's Maya TD course, looks very suitable for me. I haven't really though about software design for 3d, but I'll do some research into it. I know I'll have the education for programming when I graduate, so now I'll just concentrate on learning as much 3d as I can. Later


-pete

[coop_84]

i'm in first year comp sci, and i've found that it is a lot different from what i was doing before with 3D stuff. you might be fine with the transfer from programming to 3D but then you might not. i know that the difference for me was huge and i dont even think i want to continue down this path i have started. i also have some programming friends who want to get into 3D but they just dont have the ability, it really is a completely different field. i know this isnt what you want to hear, and if you really do enjoy 3D then anything is possible, just my experiences.

[Hugh]

Sounds good - good luck with it!

The Maya TD course is going to be amazing - you may well find the first few bits quite easy if you've done a lot of programming before (as it is intended for people who've done nothing), but there is going to be some amazing stuff later on....