Game Design Software
So many modelling and animation programs, so little time to learn them all. However, there are a few software programs that you can learn to help get your foot through the door at a game studio. Two of the most well known programs that game studios use are Autodesk Maya and 3D Studio Max. These programs are massive and the amount of options and tools available for you to use to create your game content is staggering. One studio may use Maya primarily for their game while another studio may opt for 3Ds Max. It all depends on what kind of game you’re trying to create and what tools you and your team like to use the most in your workflow. However, there are some studios that actually use both. And for this reason it would be highly valuable for game students to learn both Maya and Max. Even if it’s just basic knowledge, at least you can say you have experience in one or the other as opposed to just saying, I only know this one program. Try out both programs and find out which one you like to use best but don’t limit yourself to only one.
Unfortunately for game students, these programs can be very expensive. Some costing thousands of dollars for top of the line software. How can students afford to buy these programs to learn? Autodesk, the company behind Maya and 3Ds Max, offers 30 day trial versions of its software packages for students who can’t afford to buy the professional retail package. This allows a student to take advantage of the standard software programs used in today’s game industry for free for 30 days. If you have not had any experience with these programs yet, a trial version would be the way to go to test the waters and see if this is something you can get into. Once you decide on the program you want to invest more time in, go ahead and do whatever you need to do to get a full retail version.
No need to worry all you “starving art students” out there. There are other software programs out that are available for less money and some that are even free. Two 3D software packages you can download for free off the internet may not be used to create actual games, but the skills and tools you learn can easily be transferred from one program to the next. The first free program you can try out is Wings 3D. Wings 3D is primarily a modelling program so if you’re looking to get into game animation, this program will not be helpful. However, if you’re a new game student and you want to learn how to model in 3D, this program is perfect for beginners. They even offer free tutorials and a list of hot keys you can use to get started quickly. Another free program for game students to look into is Blender. Blender is an open source tool used to create 3D content. This program is more elaborate than Wings 3D but if you already have some type of experience in using 3D software programs then by all means, check out Blender. Take advantage of these free programs to gain that extra step above the other students who will get their first experience in a 3D software program on day one of game design school.
One program that has been absolutely vital in bringing about a successful next generation of gaming is Pixologic’s ZBrush. ZBrush is a digital sculpting and painting program that lets you generate immense detail to your game content. Whether it be wrinkly skin on a characters face or the gravel and rocks on the side of a mountain, with ZBrush, you can easily create the high level of detail needed to bring your game content to life. Your creations are limitless in ZBrush. Boasting the capability of sculpting an object up to one billion polygons, as long as you have a very powerful computer, you are only limited by your imagination. You can use ZBrush to create quick 3D sketches of an idea you have or you can use it to create the necessary maps needed for your low poly game character/environment to come to life.
Finally, none of these software programs would be where they are today in the game industry if it wasn’t for Adobe Photoshop. How else are you going to take your boring gray-scale game model and turn it into a vibrant and colorful work of art? Photoshop and other Adobe products are used consistently throughout the game industry. Becoming familiar with Photoshop should be one, if not the first step you take in honing your skills as a game artist. Along with the other programs listed above, all of them compliment each other quite nicely. It’s now up to you to decide which ones are most efficient and work best for you in what you’re trying to accomplish.