Hi Im 17 years old and only recently learnt and become interested in modelling in 3d. The only problem is, alot of people have said that if you can't draw good then you really shouldnt even bother learning Computer Graphics....I have taken this serously and I have decided that perhaps I may be able to improve my skills by reading a hell of alot of books and practacing drawing (sketching I prefer) everyday or at least as much as I can.....does anyone have any idea if I have a chance?

You can do it! You don't need any drawing skills. I am living proof of that. ;=] cheers, dr geep ;=]

Yeah I'd go along with that. I tell ya what,from the other end of the spectrum: I can draw pretty well, and have been doing it for a long time...on paper that is. Trying to do it with a Wacom pen and tablet is like learning a whole new technique. And very little of that ability has translated into modeling for me. Digital 3D art seems to rely less on drawing ability and more on ideas such as lighting, and proper scaling, and camera focal length and color... when it comes to rendering, that is. As for modeling, you have te be able to break things down into their basic shapes in your mind, and then assemble them into a cohesive structure. It certainly doesn't hurt to be able to draw well, but it's not a necessity.

I have been drawing longer than I can remember and like Mike stated. Going from pen and paper to wacom and mouse whether in a 2d or 3d environment is like day and night. The most important thing is to have the ability to visualize and execute. A visually artistic background gives that ability from the start. Everything else is technical. One area where those skills will come into play is in texturing. I thought I would never pick up a pen and pad again until I started texturing. Brows, skin, lips can more often than not require an artistic freehand touch.

True about the texturing aspect, unless you become a procedural material genius, but even procedurals have their limitations. It's no accident that people use good old fashioned image maps for textures, and although they can be created with photographs, still, a decent drawing technnique would be a prerequisite. But one of the best things yu can do for yourself in 3D is to just look around at simple everyday things. Look at shadows and highlights. Pay attention to how far away something that's twice the size of something else has to be before it appears to be the same size, according to your Point Of View (POV). In all of art, there is no better exercise than simply paying attention and learning how to "see". If you know how to see, then you've got half of it right there. And anything and everything else trechnical you learn how to do will always depend upon that ability to see.

Keep drawing. It teaches you to look. Be prepared to fail. It's an essential part of the process. Never, never, never, ever give up. Ilook forward to seeing what you will come up with regards peejay

drackill, There are many different programs that can be used for modeling. From AutoCad ( I use at work. : )Wich is more numbers then anything. To programs that need really good drawing skills, to programs like Amorphium wich is like working with clay. Find your nitch! :D

You'll be alright 2D and 3D space are vastly different as far as how you percieve your object. I draw and paint a lot but 3D is different, almost easier. Perspective and foreshortening are automatically handled so focusing on true 3D shape is all you have to do. Once you can grasp whatever program's interface and tools you'd be surprised of what your capable of doing. Modelling is not difficult as long as you persevere.

hi , my opinion is you must be able to picture it in your head !! this is crucial in my point of view if you can do that then you can jot down a pic on paper it doesnt have to be art but you should be able to get wahts in your head out even if only you can see it on paper !!! I stress this doesnt mean you must be a sketch artist but to be able to give yourself a bluprint of what you do :) you can also train your self to draw with polys though this is more dificult Dont get discouraged just keep sketching when you feel you can translate on paper wht is in your head then youll be fine most people think you have to be a 2d artist thats not true most concept art isnt that great but it conveys the idea that is all that is important hope that helps keep at it if you want it youll get it !

Drawing with polys...that would be a little weird....take a bit to get used to used guess.

I agree with the others. I do computer art because I can't draw well enough to fit my vision, but I can render the heck out of stuff. Knowing the mechanics of drawing is good, but if all you can do is stick figures, you can still do computer art.