Quote - Being new to modeling will probably be beneficial since you won't be bringing any baggage along and you'll be able to focus on how Blender works, not on how some other program operates.

Here's hoping! ;o)

Quote - Learning your hot keys is a big help with Blender. When I started  I printed off the list of hotkeys and taped it up beside my monitor for reference.

I've been a graphic artist for a looong time...lol. If I hadn't learned the shorcut keys to Photoshop and Quark, I'd have given up long ago...hehe. I used to have the shortcut keys to Quark and PS up on my monitor too!

Quote - Another thing is to relax and not worry about how hard you've heard Blender is to learn. Being nervous makes it more difficult retain information.

Keep in mind while you are trying to figure something out in Blender (or any other 3D application) that it's for fun, if it doesn't work you can try again, nothing is going to explode or burst into flames.:laugh:

It won't??! ;o) That's a load off my mind...LOL

You know I used to get mad at my oldest son when he was little, because he just HAD to to anything perfect the first time and if he couldn't he'd just give up. I guess he's a lot like his mother ;o). I've started trying to model and given up countless times. I've never stuck with it long enough to actually learn anything. Time to change my ways I guess.

Quote - On the subject of Blender's difficulty, any high end 3D application has a steep learning curve. It always amazes me when people that "use" ZBrush complain about the Blender UI......ZBrush has a horrible UI too and let's not even go into Lightwave.....complaints about hotkeys....3DMAX is full of them IF you want best efficiency.

That's very true. Photoshop was incredibly complicated to me when I first was trained to use it...and that was version 3! Now it's all second nature. It did take time to learn all the ins and outs and I guess it will with Blender too. Trouble is, I think in 2D, not 3D...hehe. THAT in itself will take some getting used to.

I get the same feeling when I open up Wings or Anim8tor or any modeling program as I do Blender. Lost. Only in Blender there's MORE of it! Heh.

Quote - Learning new software comes down to focusing on the task at hand, taking small steps and building a solid foundation in the basics before you try the more advanced bits. Go at your own pace and enjoy yourself.

You have to take a step before you can walk a mile I guess. Thanks for the help and encougagement. I wholeheartedly appreciate it!

Laurie