I am going to be getting a mac mini soon and am really interested in getting into 3d and animation. I have no idea where to start and everything im seeing is getting overwhelming. Thanks in advance.
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Where to get started in 3d modelng/animation.
- Thread starter Flyers1718
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If 3d and animation is your goal, the Mac Mini is not the computer for you. You will need at least an iMac for processing power, video card and memory capacity.
www.blender.org
Some say it has a steep learning curve, but these are mostly people used to other 3d packages. Since you are new you will have no trouble if you follow the manual and tutorials. It will also run fine on your Mac Mini. Blender is an open source treasure. A good primer for 3D and a fantasticly powerful package once you master it.
Some say it has a steep learning curve, but these are mostly people used to other 3d packages. Since you are new you will have no trouble if you follow the manual and tutorials. It will also run fine on your Mac Mini. Blender is an open source treasure. A good primer for 3D and a fantasticly powerful package once you master it.
I agree Blender is great. It also has some simple compositing features which just add to its appeal.
Well the mini is the only thing I can afford and will be for a while since im only 16. Will the mini even be able to run higher end programs? What is the best way to learn blender? I remember trying it before and quit because I didnt get anything,
Autodesk do a PLE (educational version) of Maya, you would have a water mark on renders but it would help you a lot more later down the line to know the software as it is kind of a standard. and there is a LOT of literature and video tutorials about for it
Thats what I was thinking. Will the mini be able to handle maya? So I should get an education edition and some books? Any recommendations.
By the time you get a mini its only a few hundred more to a referb or last-gen iMac. The difference will be much bigger a pay-off in the creative field. I advise people to be patient when buying gear of any sort (amps, computers, etc) because if you buy what just gets you buy now, but is not what you will need in a year or after a little expanded interest within a given field (3d in this case) - then you are locked into something sub-par and will have to spend that much more money just to get something that meets your growing needs:
ie= $569 now for edu Mac mini, then in a year you hit a wall of frustration b/c of its limits for design, another >$1000 for an iMac = a year of frustration and $1600 - $1800 expence.
But if you wait a few more months to work and save up more/collect birthday money, etc then = $900 - $1200 for a powerful (comparatively) iMac and a more room for you to expand you skills before you hit a hardware wall
That's a saving of $400 - $900 in the long run, a lesson in patience, the character building of a little work, and then a happy purchasing decision that allows you to render objects to your hearts content. Plus maybe with those savings you can get some real software/tutorials.
Make sense? Tell me what you think.
#ILAL~*
I know what you mean,but I have been waiting/saving for so long its hard.I really have no source of money and this is all birthday and money from stuff I sold. And when I got more I wanted to use it for accessories and peripherals like an eyetv and external hdd. I don't know maybe should but the 3d thing in hold. Or maybe try to wait till Christmas. The other thing is I really dislike the imac. The all in one design just isnt for me so im left with the mini,mb and mac pro.
Thanks for the help,suggestions are great.
Thanks for the help,suggestions are great.