Integration with Maya
Autodesk Maya is an amazing program that is used world wide.
But one of its features is one that I have NEVER been in love with.
The evil culprit is its UV Texturing process.
This feature in Maya in really antiquated.
There are other programs out there that have taken this aspect of Maya and have brought it into the 21st Century
One of these is 3D coat.
There are other programs.
The most popular is ZBrush. I do not teach ZBrush for simple fact that you have to pay for ZBrush. ZBrush also has a reputation for being its own little animal. its interface is not the most friendly to beginning students (so I am told)
I am a school teacher and budget money is always tight. So I am always looking for the best option that I can put into my classroom at the best price. Another option is MudBox by Autodesk. Autodesk went in and produced this software package as an answer to ZBrush but it hasn't really every caught on. The definite benefit to MudBox is that it is free. Sadly even this doesn't necessarily recuse it from obscurity. Once again MudBox hasn't really caught on very well with industry professionals.
But one of its features is one that I have NEVER been in love with.
The evil culprit is its UV Texturing process.
This feature in Maya in really antiquated.
There are other programs out there that have taken this aspect of Maya and have brought it into the 21st Century
One of these is 3D coat.
There are other programs.
The most popular is ZBrush. I do not teach ZBrush for simple fact that you have to pay for ZBrush. ZBrush also has a reputation for being its own little animal. its interface is not the most friendly to beginning students (so I am told)
I am a school teacher and budget money is always tight. So I am always looking for the best option that I can put into my classroom at the best price. Another option is MudBox by Autodesk. Autodesk went in and produced this software package as an answer to ZBrush but it hasn't really every caught on. The definite benefit to MudBox is that it is free. Sadly even this doesn't necessarily recuse it from obscurity. Once again MudBox hasn't really caught on very well with industry professionals.
3d Coat is one of the best options that I have come across. It has a good reputation and it has the best price tag. IT'S FREE!!!
The seamless nature and flow of the program makes this software package an absolute pleasure to deal with. When I got the recommendation to start using it in my classroom, I was honestly hesitant. The recommendation came from my Department head/Boss at Oklahoma City University. His opinion is one that I trust beyond measure. So I had to eventually turn to 3d Coat and give it a fair shot.
After doing my own home work I can now proudly proclaim that THIS IS THE NEW SOFTWARE PACKAGE that I am integrating into my coursework.
The seamless nature and flow of the program makes this software package an absolute pleasure to deal with. When I got the recommendation to start using it in my classroom, I was honestly hesitant. The recommendation came from my Department head/Boss at Oklahoma City University. His opinion is one that I trust beyond measure. So I had to eventually turn to 3d Coat and give it a fair shot.
After doing my own home work I can now proudly proclaim that THIS IS THE NEW SOFTWARE PACKAGE that I am integrating into my coursework.

This may be the end of Photoshop in my 3d classes (don't tell anyone)...
Getting rid of Photoshop is a concept that I have pondering for a couple of years.
It doesn't play well 3d software packages like Maya.
So my thought process has been, why are we limping along with this program when there are MUCH better options?
Answer.... Tradition!
"That is the way that we have always done it, so why change?"
But
Tradition stands in the way of progress so many times... let's move forward!!!