Hey there. Look, I was browsing around today and I came across your site. I was really amazed at the stunning artists' work on this site! I'm and wanting to become a graphic artist and I am just waiting for my light to direct me! I was wondering how I begin this kind of computer art, what are the basics I need, etc. I want to know everything on how to create artwork similar. I especially loved Stormi I think her name is Tara. Her work is beautiful. So could you give me the low down on everything I need to know and how I can get started? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Casey

Best start with buying Bryce 5 and Poser 4.3 .

Or even the trial version of Paint Shop Pro..

I'd start by downloading a trial version of Paint Shop Pro 7 (http://www.jasc.com/download_4.asp?) and a trial version of Poser4/ProPack (http://www.curiouslabs.com/downloads/index.html) - both are good for 30 days, and will give you an idea of what you're getting into, before you start investing a lot of money into it. Hope this helps - have fun! :-)

Also check your local news stand for things like: 3D Arts Magazine, 3D World Magazine, And just about any other you see there on the shelf. Take a browse through them.. also very often they will have a CD which comes with them.. these often have older versions of programs which come with cheap upgrades to the current versions... but they get your feet wet if nothing else.. and only for the cost of the magazine. Additionally the magazines will have some tutorials, images, etc. to give you more information on what you'll be getting into. Another thing to consider is what type of images you're going to want to do. Some programs are geared toward certain things. Vue does awesome landscapes, as does Bryce. Both will do more but in the beginning, these are "easy" to produce and give you confidence to continue. Most of the software out there has trial versions (as mentioned above), these are always a MUST to download... so you can test drive 'em and see if you can even deal with the interface. There are some really weird ones out there. And not everyone likes the same things. Hope that helps... and looking forward to seeing some of your works as you progress into this new world you've found. :)

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/index.ez?viewLink=394

gonna take awhile dude. Download some freeware and demos, and see if you click with anythng, but be prepared to start reading a lot of manuals.

I was in this exact position and found that if you hang in the chat room from time to time, there's usually plenty of people there willing to answer questions and give you their opinions on whatever progies they use or have used. In fact, the chat room here was the first place I found, and it helped me to realise that there's a lot more than meets the eye in the galleries. Just go there and start asking questions - you'll be inundated with helpful info. Alternatively, you could send an instant message to those people who's art you particularly like, and they may give you specific pointers on their methods and styles. Good luck :) Oh, and by the way, in doing this, I realised I needed a lot of time to do this kinda art, and have not created anything yet, myself. However, when the time comes that I will, I've got a foundation to start from :)