[zoodemon]

hi i've often thought to myself that i'd like to learn how to create digital pictures or artwork, and now i have a bit more time, i'm going to give it a go.
Can anyone give me some pointers on where to start, what to read, suggested software and good tutorials. I already have good Cad skills so i'm used to slaving over a pc and picking over the fine points of something til it's right.
Think i would be good at it once i learn the software.
I'm in the uk if that makes any difference. Look forward to any help you can give. cheers

[sweetums]

Well, since you're used to slaving over digital images, you're off to a good start.

The question you need to ask yourself now, is what direction of digital art interests you most? With a CAD background, are you more lured to "3d" work, i.e. "sculpture" with polygons (polys) or nurbs? Or are you more interested in "2d" work? If you say 2d, are you wanting to make digital paintings, or are you wanting a more precise and structured creation process, choosing vector over pixel creations? Are you attracted towards animation, or just visual art?

Next question, how much are you willing to spend on decent software to create with? Expect to spend anywhere from nothing, to close to $1000 USD per application, depending upon your desires.

Okay, so while you ponder where your interests lie, here are some free applications for you to play with. I don't have the direct download links, but a simple web search should give them to you easily enough.

For "3D" work, GMAX is a "study" version of 3D Max, and is free. I think it is through Turbosquid. A good 3D app, such as Maya, 3D Studio Max, or Lightwave will run you between $600 - $1,000.
For "2D Vector" illustration-type software, I would strongly recommend Microsoft's Expressions 3 download. Although they call it a "beta," the application is the same as Version 3.3, which was sold by CreatureHouse before they were acquired by MS. To purchase a "real" vector app, I would strongly recommend Macromedia's Flash MX 2004. Not only can you easily create vector art with it, you can also create animations...2 apps in one, actually. This will cost you about $500, but is truly about your best bang for the buck.
For 2D Raster applications, GIMP is free, and is similar to Photoshop (which costs about $600), Art Rage is closer to Painter, with brush strokes and blending ablities (Painter costs about $450), and Open Canvas offers a 30 day free trial, with a purchase price of about $75 dollars. Paint Shop Pro is also a good 2D app for under $100, as is PhotoImpact.

Almost all the major applications offer a 30 day trial, so my best suggestion would be for you to take the time to try out the various ones AFTER playing with the free ones to get acquainted with the basics on how the different platforms function. You will find that once you understand the concepts of each one (layers, curves, beziers, pixels, paths, polys, nurbs, stage, keyframes, etc.), the only real difference is in the user interface, where the tools are, and the inconveniences between programs.

Don't forget to use a good search engine, like www.dogpile.com (a "concise" META search engine) to find tutorials, forums, and the like for whichever application you are enjoying.

Have fun deciding!
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Life is short. Expect nothing, enjoy everything.
That which does not kill you should make you wiser...

[AndyT]

Good reply.
I'd just like to add that people who come from a traditional art background usually do pretty well ...
No matter what software they choose.

The theory behind creating artwork has nothing to do with how the software works.
Those are two different beasts.

So you can start with only a pencil and paper.
Then move on to painting in Gimp or Art Rage with a mouse for example.
Don't buy more expensive things until you know that it is what you enjoy doing.
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[eyewoo]

OTOH... Painting digitally with a mouse or with a tablet is also quite a different experience, with the tablet being the clearly more enjoyable and natural way.

Also, the differences between software interfaces is pretty remarkable.

I'd suggest finding a way to start off with a tablet and either Photoshop or Painter. If you are already interested in working digitally, it's a good bet you will follow the interest through to its conclusion. There are deals all over the place, from eBay to bundled hardware/software. If you are a student, Google "software student discounts" for highly discounted software for students... etc. etc.
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[sweetums]

The pencil and paper suggestion, although encouraging, is pretty useless for the learning of digital art, especially coming off of CAD experience. Although paper and pencil are useful, so is drawing in the dirt with a stick. You'll find digital drawing is not the same creature, because you need to be able to move your cursor (with a mouse, a stylus, or your fingertip) while observing your screen, instead of watching your hand.

Eyewoo's suggestion for a tablet is a good one, although depending on your CAD background, it may be moot, as most CAD people I know already have a tablet for those purposes.
If you don't have a tablet yet, Eyewoo is dead on regarding e-bay. I just picked up a 9x12" Intuos 2 Platinum for about $300 (approx. a $100+ savings), new in the box.

Don't be fooled with the old "Photoshop or Painter" chorus. Although long considered "the standard," both applications are currently in the throes of becoming overbloated and buggy, with the latest releases of both coming up somewhat short in User-friendliness, for all their "one-click" easy effects. This is particularly true for Adobe products. The user interfaces may differ, but you will still find the basic tools pretty close to what you are used to with CAD applications, i.e. Menu commands, a vector Pen Tool, Eraser, Crop tool, Rectangular and Ellipse shape Tools, Selection Tools, Move tools, etc.
By trying out the various free demos, you will easily enough be able to decide which tool layouts and interfaces you can live with, and which you can't (before deciding which way your want to spend your $500 dollars or more for a good application).

One other point for you to consider and ask yourself. What do you want to do with your digital painting skills? If you intend to simply enjoy them as a hobby, your choice in software may be more dictated by your wallet, and you may want to strongly consider Paint Shop Pro or PhotoImpact for raster, sticking with the free Expressions 3 for vector. If you intend to utilize the applications, either in addition to, or alongside, your CAD applications, you should lean more towards Photohop and Flash as a combo, as between the two of those, you can accomplish most anything you will need, raster, vector, or animated art-wise.

One last caveat concerning e-bay. Do NOT purchase software without being WELL aware of whom you are purchasing from. The amount of counterfeit and pirated applications sold on e-bay is appalling. Make sure that ANY software you purchase from e-bay is:
1) From a "reputable" seller (check their feedback, and their selling history. Don't buy Photoshop for $50 from "soNso," who's only had 3 transactions, and a 50% approval rating.) who uses PayPal (this is one of the best ways to protect your Credit Card information).
2) Able to be REGISTERED. Many listings will tell you up front whether you can or can't register it after purchase. If you can't, it's pirated.
_________________
Life is short. Expect nothing, enjoy everything.
That which does not kill you should make you wiser...