Want to become a programmer!

Yeh, I'm still not 100% sure I wanna go into the game industry, but it interests me a lot. I really don't know what I woudl like to do, maybe some graphics programming and modelling? But I'm more into modelling and I want to start by making mods for games etc. and then move on after taht. For my A-levels, I will probably choose maths, (maybe) computing, a science and another useful subject. So I will do my research, maybe get a few books form the library. And keep your posts coming in, they're very useful!
Thanks a lot guys
Dave

EDIT- Well, I'm downloading blender now, I will tell you guys how it is after :D
 
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Sounds like you should go down the programming route - modelling is really an artists career first and foremost. But no harm in mixing it up a bit.

For Blender - DEFINITELY follow the tutorial on their website all the way through, otherwise you will end up lost like I did the first time I used it. Most modelling packages are a bit 'wtf?' when you first start using them.
 
GMax isn't available anymore is it?

You could try Maya PLE,but it has a horrible watermark and terrible UI(in my opinion),not tried Blender so I don't know how it compares
 
Im sure there will be a copy of Gmax out there somewhere. As mentioned, modelling is an artist career, so you will really need an Alevel in Art. At uni they told us its easier to teach an artist to use a computer/model/program etc than to teach a programmer to be an artist.
 
jidh007 said:
I hear that the pay isn't exactly great
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Where did you hear that from?

There's quite a bit of demand in the UK for experienced programmers and web developers. High demand = high salary ;)
 
If you wanna be a programmer then you need two things:

1. A-Level Maths.
2. Patience.

It takes months/years to become a 'good' programmer. It cannot be done over night, so start by taking Computing and Maths at A-Level.

You also should consider learning some basic programming before college such as building a website and get used to the coding environment. Code the site manually, dont use dreamweaver or frontpage etc.

If you fancy more of a challenge start with java/c#.
 
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Yeh, I have the SDK downloaded, should get started with it tommorow. I think I may also get 3DS Max because its such a brill program :cool: If I'm good at modelling, then I will go for it as a future job. So the A levels I need are Maths, computing and what else?
thanks
 
You don't even "need" computing - do it if it's interesting for you. Hardly any courses will need it, and for a decent university course in Computer Science or anything similar the most important thing is Maths. Other science subjects or anything that interests you is best to accompany it. If you want to go somewhere very academic for a computer science degree then Further Maths might help, if you want something that might be helpful in later life then something relating to buisness skills might be useful, if you want to do something with computers at school straight away then computing will be nice. Most of all do what you want, though, apart from maths anything else is fairly "optional extra"-ish.
 
dave2k2005 said:
So the A levels I need are Maths, computing and what else?
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A lot of the better universities for computer science usually ask for an A in A-level mathematics.

Computing usually isn't required, however, something I noticed when going through the application process was that the universities want people who know that they enjoy the subject they're applying for. Taking computing A-level is going to show that you do have an interest in the subject and you're less likely to decide later on that computer science isn't the course for you, provided of course that you enjoyed the computing A-level.

A good third subject would be a science like Physics or Chemistry.

Having said this, I'm not entirely sure if it's the 3D modelling side of things or the computer science aspect that you're most interested in?

I'd probably go talk to a careers person at your school and get advice from them on what to take too.
 
Art if your going the modelling route, or Physics if your going the programming route, i'd say. So your going to buy 3D studio max with its £3500 price tag? ;)
 
3500? Lol, no way, I may just have to use a free one. Already tried Blender and tahts too confusing, and the rest look too simple, and theres no Gmax anymore :( Anyone know any decent modellers other than maya and blender? Also, I would enjoy modelling a lot more, so what qualifications would I need for that?
Thanks
 
dave2k2005 said:
3500? Lol, no way, I may just have to use a free one. Already tried Blender and tahts too confusing, and the rest look too simple, and theres no Gmax anymore :( Anyone know any decent modellers other than maya and blender? Also, I would enjoy modelling a lot more, so what qualifications would I need for that?
Thanks
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Complexity is a requisite of a decent 3D modelling program. Simple ones will most likely not be as good. Take a look at the 3DS Max interface and you'll see what I mean :)
 
dave2k2005 said:
3500? Lol, no way, I may just have to use a free one. Already tried Blender and tahts too confusing, and the rest look too simple, and theres no Gmax anymore :( Anyone know any decent modellers other than maya and blender? Also, I would enjoy modelling a lot more, so what qualifications would I need for that?
Thanks
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http://downloads.vnunet.com/download/2d+3d+animation/gmax/_33022.html

Don't know if that's the latest version

GMax is for game modding,it doesn't include the rendering features of 3dsmax
 
Really stick at Blender if you find it too confusing, as once you move over to industry standard ones like 3DS max or maya you will be swamped with options and tools. Its a steep learning curve, but well worth it. As mentioned earlier, my education path was: Graphics, Computing, Business studies and General studies A-levels, and then a BA computer Animation degree. If I was to do it again, I would probably do Graphics, Computing, Maths and Physics.
 
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=6902573

Heres MAYA Personnal learning addition if your interested, the interface is fully customizable, so you can arrange it to suit how you work. I tend to stick my "most used" tools on a shelf at the top of the screen so i dont have to search through loads of pull down menus packed with tools i never use. That made it easier for me to learn. Its a superb package for modelling and is used in the games and movie industry.

You can also ask for tips from fellow users here:
Maya Forums
http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=7
Maya Tutorial links:
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=6360


MAX Forums etc
http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=6

btw you dont necessarily need qualifications to get a job moddelling(i didnt), you just need a folio of GOOD work to get you a job. Of course doing a course at Uni will help a lot.
 
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Buzza said:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=6902573

Heres MAYA Personnal learning addition if your interested, the interface is fully customizable, so you can arrange it to suit how you work. I tend to stick my "most used" tools on a shelf at the top of the screen so i dont have to search through loads of pull down menus packed with tools i never use. That made it easier for me to learn. Its a superb package for modelling and is used in the games and movie industry.

You can also ask for tips from fellow users here:
Maya Forums
http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=7
Maya Tutorial links:
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=6360


MAX Forums etc
http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=6

btw you dont necessarily need qualifications to get a job moddelling(i didnt), you just need a folio of GOOD work to get you a job. Of course doing a course at Uni will help a lot.
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For Gmax, no such file or directory :( So you do modelling, what type do you do? And how was it to get into it?
 
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