[Kudah]

Hi guys,
I'm currently in college studying computer science but really feel like I'm being pulled to do digital graphics. What I'm really looking for are tips to get me started. What programs do you guys use? Where are the best sites to read tutorials? What kind of hardware do you need (aka Tablets and Scanners)? Any replies would be GREATLY appreciated!

Edit: I've read all the tutorials listed here for advice, but I'm really looking for some more personal stuff. Keeping in mind that I'm just trying to get my feet wet and don't really have lots of money to spend (aka the college student part).
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-Matt

[amichaels]

Well, having done both the scanner and the tablet bit, I would skip the scanner and get the tablet. Once you adjust to using it, you can do all the linework on the computer with the tablet. Also, since you're going to college, your school more than likely has scanners available for use anyway.

Most people use Painter or Photoshop, and it really depends on what your art style is like when it comes to prefference between the two I think.

As for tutorials, there are lots available for both programs listed in the locked Tutorials thread in this forum, and others can be found also at www.gfxartist.com. A lot of the Elite members of that site have tutorials on their websites.

[Kudah]

Thanks for the tips (I already checked out all the tutorials here). As for the tablet, any specific brand or model you recommend?
_________________
-Matt

[amichaels]

I have a Wacom Graphire. It's small, but works fine for what I am doing. Most people seem to recommend the Wacom Intuos.

[Kudah]

Thanks yet again for the help I'm looking at these two right now and wondering if anyone can tell me the difference (besides less padding in my wallet):

Intuos2 5x4
Graphire2 4x5

I looked at the bigger tablets that I could find on pricewatch.com (specifically the Wacom brand) and I just don't think I'm able to pay that much right now. If anyone has any other recommendations as to where/what to get PLEASE let me know!

Thanks again for all the help!
_________________
-Matt

[Watashi]

You can become a great artist with a Computer Science Master's degree or Phd.
Within the study of Computer Science there is a branch that specializes on Computer Graphics.

That branch focusses on the hardcore technical side of Computer Graphics.
I don't know if your college has this branch so that you can switch to that study, but it's definatly worth asking.

One of the foremost Matrix artists who won an Academy Award(Oscar) studied Computer Science in the direction of Computer Graphics.

Though i stress....this study isn't easy.
I have seen the algebra those guys do....phew man, they can define entire light and surface shading models through complex algebraic functions.
It's really cool though.

I'm thinking myself to do a second study after what i'm studying now(Art&Technology).
And it's probably going to be Computer Science > Graphics branch.

[Kudah]

You have no clue how much that makes my day Watashi. I'm actually majoring in computer science and have a minor in math, unfortunately Alabama doesn't really have a real graphics design class. I'm probably going to graduate after 2.5 or 3 years total (about to start my second year this month) and I was considering going elsewhere to study graphic design... so if any of you have recommendations as to what school, they would be most appreciated. Thanks for all the help so far guys, keep the info coming
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-Matt

[Watashi]

Kudah, check your mail :)

[Rychan]

Keep in mind that watashi was not talking about graphics design. He was talking about the computer science specialization of computer graphics, which is very different. There is a small intersection between computer graphics and graphics design... which i've played around in... but they're really vastly different. One is an engineering discipline and one is more art. I could see how a technical understand of computer graphics could be handy for an artist, but probably not worth 5 or 6 years to get a Ph.D. (assuming you know you want to be an artist)

As an undergraduate there's probably not many computer science courses that you can take in graphics. But it might be worth trying one. It's a fun field because of the eye candy aspects of it. I would say the math involved is less terrifying than other fields I've worked in, like computer vision.