I do a lot of ''straight photography'' and am familiar with photoshop, I also have illustrator but would like to venture into combining reality with the surreal, with possibly 3d backdrops and enhancement. I also paint and draw and would like a program that would let me move the files beteen the various software options i have . What options should I be considering to develop my requirements that allows for a large degree of expansion and growth? Thanks Phil.

Hey Phil, Just for now I would stay away from any 3D app/program (you can play with them a little later). They can be very tedious and divert from what YOU seem most adept at. You do a lot of photography, and you paint and draw. You are a 2D person. Concentrate on that, as it is where your head is at, and what you will have the best "feel" for in realizing your vision in CG. Photoshop is the basic foundation for most CG graphics and is more than capable at combining the real with the surreal. You said you are familiar with it.NOT good enough. You need to really study it and dig into what it has to offer you (which is basically unlimited possibilities). The only app I would suggest you might take a look at, to supplement Photoshop is Corels Painter. If you like to paint and draw you will find Painter used with a drawing tablet/stylus will fit your style like a glove (or brush). For you I would also say a must have is a good flat bed scanner. They are now VERY inexpensive with very high color bit depth and resolution. Look for the ones that have a built-in adapter for scanning negatives if you still are working with film (I use the Epson Perfection Photo series and swear by them). A flat bed is your link to the real world that brings into your computer, your negatives, photos, drawings, paintings and any 3D object you can fit on the glass such as flowers, leaves, thorn paper, fabrics or even your ass(what.. never heard of the surrealass movement?). Have fun, SWAMP OT side note: Ive made a living for over thirty years as a photographer/printer. A lot of my work was done with the 8x10 view camera to create hand coated platinum/palladium contact printshows that for doing straight photograph.

I agree on Photoshop being the most important tool you can have. Most 3D artists will spend much of the time in Photoshop: creating materials for their 3D objects, creating "matte painting" backdrops, and on and on. As far as what 3D program is the best for you... That's a tough one. I'd look around all the different galleries and see what you like. Most programs have something they easily excel in. (Vue for landscapes, Poser for people, etc.) I use Cinema4D, Photoshop and Illustrator the most. Vue and Poser now and then. Most 3D programs have a demo version so you can try them out. Good Luck and have fun! -Perry6

I am a 2D artist Myself,(Illustration Painting,and sculpting) and HIGHLY suggest 3D if not for the simple fact that it will help out Your 2D art IMEASUREABLY! Think of it like sculpting with virtual "CLAY" and I can't think of a better Prog for this than Z Brush! Just take a look at the AMAZING galleries for this 'lil prog,and You'll get HOOKED! As far as the other 3D progs You'll be grabbin' them up faster than a frog at a misqito farm! I hope this helps You out!

Just don't put too much on your plate all at once. 3D is very, very hard to learn, I'm still learning myself, best to stick with one medium at a time so you won't get too confused. 3D is also a very expensive hobby. ;)

Attached Link: http://www.projectfiregun.com/home.asp

I'm with SWAMP on this one. If you are coming from a photography background, be sure you know Photoshop inside and out and Painter with a graphics tablet (Wacom or similar) might very well be worth considering. If you just want to use 3D to supplement your imagery and PS plug-ins won't do, start maybe with the more affordable apps like Vue or Bryce (for scenery and skies) or Poser for figure based scenes.

I'm mainly a Photoshop and Painter user, included a link to my site, but for no very good reason :)

Good luck with whatever you want to do though.

Message edited on: 03/26/2005 14:58

ADOBE DOES MOST OF WHAT YOU NEED

zBrush is a wonderful 2D/3D tool. You can be 2D in Zbrush and get a nice 3D effect at the same time.