I'm new to using Carrara, even though I've had the program for a few years. I got it when I realized blender 3d had a hard time modeling or rendering if you had a significant number of models to work with. The newer version of blender (2.37) left the last one (2.36) in the dust, but its still starting to have problems, especially with one of my lastest works. http://www.deviantart.com/view/26113444/ As anyone can see, I've learned how to manipulate blender well, so I understand the basics of modeling easy. However, I'm having a real hard time learning how to operate Carrara's VERY different interface. Are there any good Carrara tutorials out there? (Number four would be best, as that is the version I have) oh and, any good deals on carrara 5? I've tried the book... may need to try again... my main objection is, its 578 pages, and reading out of the middile when you get stuck on something, doesn't help, since it seems meant to be read from the begining. Also, I learned there were several missprints in it from this forum. I know there are a few here, and I'll be trying those shortly.

No better place to start than with than the tutorials on the Eovia home site. Lots to download and directions given to other tutorial sites. One of the best is the Eovia Rosenberg? Terrain/Landscape tute which is a learning source for a whole range of the Carrara workings. And I could go on-----LOTS of great stuff.

Attached Link: http://www.3dxtract.com/

Message edited on: 12/14/2005 05:42

Anything on the particle generators? Looks like I can manage everything else. I'm trying to figure out how to simulate things like fire, explosions and energy weapons.

The particle generator is now a powerful enhancement to Carrara. I'm not aware of any really good tutorials on it yet, however. Most of what I know comes from directly working with it or adapting tutorials that I've come across for some other software like Maya. Sophisticated particle effects are processor intensive (which is true for any software using particles) While Carrara can do a bunch with particles, it's only advisable if you've got a system that's up to the task or a little extra time on you hands to let your computer chew on the work for awhile. ;) The most stunning effects can be created by mapping movies to the particles themselves - really fun stuff.