I'm new to CG

[minimus]

first question why do you use .gif? is it becaus you want the texture to move. becaus if not i recomend you use other...for example png is good for keeping transparent data.

and you can alsow download a pluggin that alowes you to import photoshop files direct inn to 3ds max :)

[Need_Help]

First of all, I am not very clear about your problem. But I will try to answer according to my 'understanding'. Can you please attach the 'transparent background' image that you are talking so that I can see how is the problem.

If you want to have 'transparent background' in 3DS Max, you just need to create another black and white image (white is the area of the picture that you want to show) and assign it at the opacity slot. It can be any format that 3DS Max can support (jpg, gif, png etc.) If you are going to create a 'transparent background' for other uses, such as desktop icon, web page etc. you need to make sure the background is transparent, not filled (transparent background in Ps is checker boxes).

It was fine at first, but I noticed some bad... I dunno what it is called, maybe pixels? Yeah something like that and it made the image look bad. Its fine when used in straight lines but when used in curved lines those pixels just appear and it really doesn't look that good.

I think thats the anti-aliasing problem. Maybe you can try to make it a little bit blur, or change the anti-aliasing settings in your Ps.

Thanks :)

[Ceres]

Thanks for the help guys!

I see so thats it. I tried what minimus said, .PNG does work! And Need_Help thanks for the tip for 3Ds Max and anti-aliasing (though I really don't know what anti-aliasing means). I'm sure it will help me in deciphering these applications.

[Need_Help]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-aliasing

Actually, if you play PC games, I think most probably you already heard of it, and know the usage of it :P

Thanks :)

[Ceres]

I do play games but I do not pay attention on some things like that. As long as I could play it I won't really check out the Options page. :) And that's my mistake.

Well, I also wanted to ask what is the best application. I still cannot understand the role of 3Ds Max in CG. But Photoshop, I think got the most pick. Tough I am totaly clueless on how you guys do such a great artwork! As I browsed some great CG works, most of them used Photoshop, Maya, Zbrush and others like Matte Painting, Vray, Digital Painting, Photo manipulation... errm... are those applications too like 3Ds Max and Photoshop? Coz I cannot find one.

I think I'm going for environment and character making. What's the best software for me then?

[Need_Help]

You can use Vue 6 Infinite/XStream to create nice enviroment with millions of plants, nice rivers, mountains etc. I will suggest you to use 3DS Max to model character since you no need to spend money to buy other softwares. Photoshop is mainly used for 'mixing' the renders, and adding special effects/editing the render. If you really want to know, the 'about' or something similar for the products will tell you whats the usage of them. Whenever you see the word 'photo' or 'painting', you should know that its 2D, not 3D software.

[minimus]

when you look at awsom cg art by pros yes they use all kinds of software and such....but thats becaus they have sponsores and companies at there back paying the power for them and i bett they all started with just maya or 3ds max....i think we all do...(or some free smal programs)

when you have learnd them...and handles them well you can go over to other programs and mix em toghetter.

this is my tree:

just looking...

pencile drawing....

3ds max.....

photoshop....

and now in 2007 i'm starting looking a bitt at zbrush:)

[Ceres]

I see.

So its 3Ds Max for the model and Photoshop finishes it all?

[minimus]

ye kind of. 3d max for modeling. then photoshop for making textures and that stuff. then back in max for compositin. then when the final render is done you can tune the colores or what ever in photoshop :)

[Ceres]

Does anyone know where can I find V-Ray? Coz I cannot locate it in 3ds Max.

I've been doing a little tutorial who uses V-Ray for its rendering. But meh... I think I looked all over and haven't found that word V-Ray there....

[Need_Help]

Its a product from Chaos Group. You can buy it there or download a demo.

Thanks :)

[Ceres]

Ah I see! That's why... Thanks for the help again!