canadianboy Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 (edited) Hey there guys. I have a question for the pros here that use Houdini as their main app. How long did it take you to master Houdini enough to be able to get a job as a Houdini artist and if Houdini was the app that got you into the industry or where you originally in it using a different app? Im just wondering like I got accepted to VFS for the March 09 start date. I currently have been learning Houdini for a few weeks now and ai plan on specializing in VFX when i go the VFS but they use Maya. Should i but Houdini on the back burner and start learning Maya to get a head start or should I keep learning Houdini for the tim ebing. THere is no way I can try and learn two apps at the same time I would just completely loose focus lol. SO what do you guys think I should do. Edited March 7, 2008 by canadianboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 if you're taking a class and they teach Maya then concentrate on Maya...but there is nothing stopping you from hopping over to Houdini once in a while and keeping aup with it...but don't damage your commitment to the course... and it might be fun to try to do something you learn in Maya in Houdini... as for your first question...I trained in Maya and worked in it for about 2 years, and played with Houdini for about a year before I got a job working with Houdini, and I was no master then (or now ), so don't sweat it...if you can show an employer that you can do the job then that's really all they care about - they'll train you to use whatever software they use...note that Pixar, ILM, R&H etc etc use many proprietary applications...so you may not ever use a commercial app at those places... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianboy Posted March 7, 2008 Author Share Posted March 7, 2008 Cook thanks Micheal. Yeah i just found out I was accepted a few days ago so im pretty pumped about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 cool... good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whalerider Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 (edited) VFS also has a Houdini training program - http://www.vfs.com/fulltime.php?id=16 Edited March 17, 2008 by whalerider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianboy Posted March 17, 2008 Author Share Posted March 17, 2008 i dont think I can pull of spending another 16k though. Thats what sucks or I totally would stay in Vancouver and continue there with that program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whalerider Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 (edited) A couple years ago one of the VFS advisers told me that they give scholarships to graduates of the 3D program who want to get Houdini certification. Not sure if that's still the case - back then it was because of their anniversary. i dont think I can pull of spending another 16k though. Thats what sucks or I totally would stay in Vancouver and continue there with that program. Edited March 17, 2008 by whalerider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kleer001 Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 I'm a bit in a special case. I'm learning Houdini on the job. That said I've also got about 60+ hours of training from various sources. Personally I'd say lay off the Maya and concentrate on Houdini. You'll thank me later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianboy Posted March 17, 2008 Author Share Posted March 17, 2008 (edited) I'm a bit in a special case. I'm learning Houdini on the job. That said I've also got about 60+ hours of training from various sources. Personally I'd say lay off the Maya and concentrate on Houdini. You'll thank me later. But then ill have to learn maya anyways. I think ill get the basics of Maya down in the next 6 months or so then start with Houdini before I go away to school there. THis is honestly a tough decision because it could help or hurt me in the future. Eather way I have to learn Maya, but im having fun with Houdini also. Im sure once I graduate and find a job it might be tough to try and find the time to learn Houdini. Edited March 17, 2008 by canadianboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenong Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 I started with Softimage|3D and it allowed to pick things up quickly. After that, I got a taste of proceduralism with Prisms, predecessor to Houdini, and don't want to touch Softimage again. But that's just me. The main thing is to do what you need to and what you're comfortable with. Also, I highly recommend reading Andy Boyd's interview here on od[force]. Good luck! Cheers! steven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swann Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 (edited) I trained in Maya and worked in it for about 2 years, and played with Houdini for about a year before I got a job working with Houdini... Hi Michael, Did you had any experience in 3D before Maya ? How Long ? Edited March 18, 2008 by SWANN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiak Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Focusing on tools is a waste of time. Explore, learn techniques, learn about background stuff be it art or science and practice on whatever software is more convenient. Then you can learn another one with ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Hi Michael, Did you had any experience in 3D before Maya ? How Long ? nope...I did a lot of research on the net before I signed up for a class ($15,000 was, and is, a lot of money) so I think I had a pretty good grasp of what programs were out there and their features...I read tutorials etc so I could get a sence of what was going on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swann Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 (edited) nope...I did a lot of research on the net before I signed up for a class ($15,000 was, and is, a lot of money) so I think I had a pretty good grasp of what programs were out there and their features...I read tutorials etc so I could get a sence of what was going on... Weeee , 15000 $ for maya class only ? Or it was some school with 100 hours per week learning hard math and quantum physics ? Edited March 18, 2008 by SWANN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 it was a 1 year animation course...4 months 2D, 4 months 3D (maya) and 4 months demo reel... waste of money really... the one thing I did learn that I've found very valuable is knowing how to work with others on a project...a vital skill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianboy Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 (edited) lol nvm post wasnt directed towards me. Edited March 18, 2008 by canadianboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swann Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 it was a 1 year animation course...4 months 2D, 4 months 3D (maya) and 4 months demo reel...waste of money really... the one thing I did learn that I've found very valuable is knowing how to work with others on a project...a vital skill. I wish myself waste 15000 $ and work in Core now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 well going to school had nothing to do with getting a job at C.O.R.E. it was because of od[force] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 That's right kids, send us your $15000 and we'll see what we can do about getting you a job somewhere . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swann Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 That's right kids, send us your $15000 and we'll see what we can do about getting you a job somewhere . :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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