[bluetraveller]

Well, gotta address this topic that I've been hearing 'bout round and round and round. The question is:

"I'd like to learn computer graphics but I'm wondering which school to go to."

Here goes:
First figure out what you want to do with your brand new spanking CGI experience. There are many opportunities in the industry requiring specific skills in all areas of work and play.

What background do you have? Obviously if you are more technically-oriented, you might consider something that requires your expertise. Try technical direction, compositing, modelling or heck, even set up. If you don't have a background in animation or fine arts and you *really* want to do animation, then obviously you'll need to choose a school that will accomodate those needs. Learning to have a visual eye as well as drawing and observing skills will be tough. I won't kid you so while your computer skills and ability to learn the software may be a breeze, invest time in sketching, learning about lighting...doesn't matter what you scratch on your sketch pad as long as it's the best you can do. If you don't, when the time comes for you to animate your fantastic multi-dimensional creature, your traditional animation friend sitting beside you will be animating "swan Lake" with her/his "gumbieman".

If you're a great animator or at least have a solid fine arts education and you want to be a cgi animator, your learning curve may be shorter though just as intense. Many schools offer "crash" eight-month courses in learning how to operate the programs. Since you don't need to take animation courses, you will focus on the technical issues instead of the artistic. From my experience and in talking with friends, I've noticed that learning the high-end programs for traditional artists can be extremely frustrating and alienating. Drawing on a computer can be slow-going and lacking in the kind of spontenaity and intuitiveness that is characteristic of traditional work. But don't despair, though there are MANY MANY methods of producing something, more likely, you will stick to the one or two ways that suit your skills and abilities. You don't have to invent the 'wheel' everytime you do something. What can you do with your artistic skills? Matte painting? texturing, animating? modelling? good with colour? - compositing? sky's the limit.

In a class of people divided into artists and technically comfortable people, you will see how and where each group will excel. If you get rid of any attitudes you may have concerning the "other" group, you'll end up learning and of course sharing a lot with each other.

Great schools to go to?
go to www.awn.com

If you are already an animator, Vancouver Film School has got a great Maya program 8- month intensive that you might really enjoy.

Hope that helps.

[ZippZopp]

Thanks for that little write up! i was beginning to feel like my education now wouldn't be worth much. right now i'm a studio arts major (drawing, painting, photography etc...) what i really want to do is computer graphics work. Now that i'm almost done with my major here i'm glad that i didn't transfer out and go straight to computer graphics. I feel my knowledge of composition, color, lighting has grown so much over the past 2 years! So i'll be graduating soon and hopefully attending Full Sail down in Orlando!!! does anyone know anything about full sail, i'd love to hear! I'm just a little overwhelmed right now because there is so much to do and learn i don't know where to start on my own!!