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Classes?
About Truespace Archives
These pages are a copy of the official truespace forums prior to their removal somewhere around 2011.
They are retained here for archive purposes only.
Post by MarieBergantz // Feb 10, 2009, 4:00pm
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MarieBergantz
Total Posts: 81
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Hello everyone! Remember me? The crazy music teacher who made a lava lamp? Yeah, that's me...
Anyhoo, let's say that hypothetically I wanted to see about taking a couple summer courses somewhere to learn some of the basics. Where would you go? Personally, I live in the Philadelphia, PA area of the world...IF I could afford it, I would really want to take some courses with someone who could show me and give me feed back. I've watched the videos here, but honestly, it's still all Greek to me. I try to follow what they're saying, but the lingo is all foreign to me. Honestly, for someone like me being able to 3D is a pipe dream, but at least's it's something to try to figure out.
Sorry if I sound awful n00bish...^^; I'm just trying to figure these things out...
Marie |
Post by TomG // Feb 11, 2009, 2:08am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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I'm unaware of any courses taught in trueSpace. Texas Tech's 3D Lab does have tS as one of the installed packages, so students are free to use it when they go there. However I believe all courses there are done using Maya.
HTH,
Tom
PS - It might be possible to get some teaching from someone in shared space, either for free, or for a fee. Throw out the question and see if anyone in the community is up for making such a presentation! |
Post by robert // Feb 11, 2009, 12:25pm
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robert
Total Posts: 609
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I have a relatively decent, although markedly limited, knowledge base.;)
I'd be happy to answer questions that arise.:)
As for teaching, I wouldn't know where to start.:p |
Post by teamonkey // Feb 11, 2009, 1:54pm
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teamonkey
Total Posts: 107
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Anyhoo, let's say that hypothetically I wanted to see about taking a couple summer courses somewhere to learn some of the basics. Where would you go?
Marie
Have you tried using the huge number of TS training videos? Just click on the 'Training' button on the top of the page. All of these videos used to cost around $50 each but were made free when TS was made free. Just download any that interest you. You might want to start with 'Workspace Organics Modelling' as a fun and useful introduction.
If you get stuck, just ask questions in the forums.
Hope that helps. |
Post by spacekdet // Feb 11, 2009, 1:59pm
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spacekdet
Total Posts: 1360
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I try to follow what they're saying, but the lingo is all foreign to me.
For when the lingo starts to sound (http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=3D+Glossary&go=&form=QBF6) like Greek.
The training here at the caliForum is free and open 24-7, so ask away. |
Post by MarieBergantz // Feb 11, 2009, 6:07pm
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MarieBergantz
Total Posts: 81
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Thanks for the advise guys.
TomG: I meant classes in general, like how to learn the absolute basics. I hear the tutorials name tools and I'm like "What the heck is that?" Like, I know Luminosity has to do with how bright something is, but how does that effect layering and painting the object? That sort of question.
Tea monkey: Yeah, I started with the videos, but stopped....I supposed that would be a good place to start again, though I find it difficult to go back and forth between the program and the videos, and I tend to forget what each step is like. I also tried the user manual, and that was even more confusing @.@
Robert: ^_^ Thank you for your offer. I'm not sure where to start either, I guess that's my biggest problem. I know when it comes to TrueSpace, I know how to move the camera around and the like, and how to make a basic shape using some of the tools, but there's so much I have no clue about...that, and my ability to think in 3D seems to be a bit lacking (it takes me forever to stack two columns on top of one another). I mean, I made a neat looking lava lamp, but it looks very primitive to me. Do you have an object you recommend trying to build first? |
Post by frootee // Feb 11, 2009, 6:27pm
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Hi Marie.
I'd suggest starting with one aspect: Modelling, or lighting, or texturing, or animation, and focus on that first, then add on to what you've learned.
Let's take Modelling, for example.
A good object to start with would be, a music box. A couple other folks made one awhile back, complete with hinges.
To make it, 3 cubes were required:
1: the bottom portion
2: a smaller cube, to boolean subtract from #1
3. the lid
so, with this compound object, we see we'll need to move the axes on the
lid, in order for it to move correctly.
Then, we'll want the edges beveled, so they have a slightly rounded appearance. (this also helps realism when it comes time to light the object)
And, what if we want to add a pretty design on top? We can use the Add polygons tools to add designs to the top of the box, then sweep those a little up maybe
It may not sound like much, but doing these things will help you learn quite a bit about modelling in truespace.
Let me find the musicbox picture...
EDIT:
Found it. Actually, it's a RsObj.
It's composed of several parts it looks like.
So, that's another thing. If you make a compound object from multiple subobjects, you need to see how to Encapsulate in 3D, those subobjects.
This musicbox is pretty cool; when you click it, look in the Panel tab.
To open, click the Opened checkbox, then click Activate. The box opens.
To close, click the Opened checkbox again, then click Activate. The box closes. :) |
Post by robert // Feb 12, 2009, 12:44pm
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robert
Total Posts: 609
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Yeah a good thing to try is look at the speed modeling challenges, and their wireframe images and see if you can get it similar.
Don't start with something too complex either because then it won't be fun and you'll lose interest quickly.
Frootee, I think you would need some images to go along with your words, even though your description is good it can be intimidating/hard to follow when you don't know your way around. |
Post by Finis // Feb 12, 2009, 1:56pm
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Finis
Total Posts: 386
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For the very beginning basics, which I think is what you want, I'd recommend starting with modeling. Texturing or lighting or animating all need objects to work with. With modeling in mind just start reading the manual about the tools related to modeling and use what you learn as you go. Not on a project but on temporary test things.
If you are using model side (TS6.6) you might do better if you turn off, or just don't use, the 3d widgets (the 3d controls that appear in the scene with the models) and use the icons. I prefer that but you might prefer the widgets.
It is probably best to learn workspace since model side will be removed when everything is ported over to workspace.
Also, try watching some of the training videos without doing anything in TS. Just watch to see how the interface is used and get ideas of what can be done, terminology etc.
Tom's shared space tutoring idea sounds good to me. I haven't done shared space, and don't have time, and don't know workspace, or I'd offer to do an occasional complete beginner's class. If anyone can that would probably help lots of new TS'ers. It could be scheduled like thursday night live. |
Post by MarieBergantz // Feb 14, 2009, 11:58am
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MarieBergantz
Total Posts: 81
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frootee: I might try something like that this weekend. Thanks! I downloaded the file, and I will defiantly sneak a peek.
robert: The only problem with that is I have absolutely no clue what 'wireframing' is and how to use it...>.> That's probably one of those basic things that I have no clue about...
Finis: I think you're right, I think modeling is what I need to do first. I did try my lavalamp (if I can find a link to my old thread, I'll show you). O.o I did not know that there was going to be an update soon. |
Post by frootee // Feb 14, 2009, 12:29pm
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frootee
Total Posts: 2667
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Hi Marie.
Wireframe mode is a mode in which you view your model.
You can see your objects as solids, wireframe, solid with wireframe outline,
semi transparent, and semi transparent with wireframe.
In the interface, on the bottom set of icons:
look for the 3D house. Just to the left is probably a solid blue cube.
Hover teh mouse over that icon, and it will say: Opaque mode.
LMB-drag up on that icon.
Move the mouse to the solid cube.
A flyout toolbar appears.
Choose the cube which looks like a wireframe; hover over it.
It will say: Wireframe mode.
Select that, and your objects in the scene will now be displayed in wireframe mode.
Experiment with the other icons, to see how they change the appearance of the objects in your scene. Each mode has its advantages for viewing your objects.
There is also Object mode, which you can enable in the Scene section in the panel view, under the Setting tab.
There is a button titled: Show object attributes.
Using this, you can enable wireframe mode for individual objects. |
Post by MarieBergantz // Feb 15, 2009, 4:27pm
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MarieBergantz
Total Posts: 81
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Thanks frootee! I was able to see wire mode, and I played around with all sorts of things. I wasn't able to open the music box file you sent me, it said it wasn't supported (I'm running TrueSpace7.6, if that makes a difference).
Anyhoo, I played around with wire-mode, and I played with the "Verticies" tool too, and yeah, I'm a total dork, this is what I came up with:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/AnitaAngelo/Triforce.jpg
^^; World's simplest 3D thing, I know (and a lot easier to do then the lava lamp I started). I took a cube and moved the sides around. I think I might try a box next. |
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