Hi,
Like many there was a decision early on to specialise in one area of
game development; for me it was programming. I'd really like to get
better at 'painting with light'; creating models and scenes.
Unfortunately I forgot to get a degree in art & design, although I
do have a good one in computer science. At school art teachers
said that I had some skill there so it isn't a lost cause.
I'd like to hear any advice on how to gradually build up computer
art skills, also I'm curious as to how many computer artists are
also programmers (professionally or on the side). I've played
around with 3D Studio Max, but find it unwieldy since even on paper
it takes a lot of redone curves just to get the image clear in my
head and then onto the page.
Also, I used to really like a 2D paint package on the Amiga called
Deluxe Paint and I'm looking for something similar on the PC. There
was something called 'Neopaint' but that was an old DOS based program.
Most new software I've seen seems to have too many features which
eeem to require several months of training just to get proficient in.
I've had ProMotion linked from the 2d artists section for years now. [:)] http://www.cosmigo.com/promotion/index.php
I can dabble in C++, but my fun is in using paintbrushes and modelling to make things look fancy.
I do have a qualification in C++ Games Programming, but ill be the first to admit im no superstar.
Did it to gain a better understanding of the production pipelines, how to make code and art meet, and what required.
I found i learnt lightyears beyond what i ever could have, doing a straight 3d modelling diploma.
Hazard: If you've got the basics of C++ then they can always be expanded upon;
If you can also bang out a good tune the you could do a one-man-band project :)
There are other things; Dynamic Types, cache optimisation, STL which are good to
know about. The degree also taught me the basics of dependencies like coupling,
connascence and cohesion (these are ways of designing code so that it's easy to
maintain etc.) but if you were employed for C++ you'd probably get those reinforced.
As it is, I can barely remember the different kinds of dependencies.
Funny thing is - ive been playing guitar since i was 4 odd years old, and been a DJ for a good 4 odd years doing night-work etc [:P] so your right, i could be a 1 man band. But i realised i could get so much more done with a few good friends [:)] especially those who will always be better than me at a paticular thing.
Well, can't argue with that. Although there are advertisements for jobs which require crossover skills e.g. 'programmer with a flare for graphics design/music'. Seems like they're trying to get a two-foo for their wage packet outlay. I'd like to create at least one single-person game as a personal goal. They did it in the 80s, even on the
Amiga, and computers aren't so different now.
Neopaint was fantastic at the time. That was also because I went from MS Paint to it. It is still good for old style pixel art. If you can get the DOS version to run at all, it will run very slowly. There was a Windows version made too, but I just wasn't keen on that one (and I started using PS at that stage). Just keep in mind that it doesn't have layers or much else.
http://www.neosoftware.com/npw.html