What are the chances of landing an industry position using Blender (experience)?

[hairston630]

What do you think the chances of landing a job in the industry are by learning the ins and outs of blender and producing a quality demo reel using said software? Would it be better to drop the program and start reading on maya until you could afford it or continue using the blender software? I just wanted to ask those that are involved with the industry so that I can decide whether to learn blender (along with houdini) or just start tutorials on maya until I can afford it when I become a student. Thanks in advance!

Hairston

[token_kiwi]

you know you don't have to buy maya to learn it - you can download the personal learning edition of maya for free from the autodesk website. (plus i am sure you can download the PLE's for other well known 3d apps as well)

[hairston630]

you know you don't have to buy maya to learn it - you can download the personal learning edition of maya for free from the autodesk website. (plus i am sure you can download the PLE's for other well known 3d apps as well)

They took the PLE version of maya down. It is now a 30 day trial. I was infuriated when I found that out lol.

[jeremybrown]

very true with regards to Maya PLE. Also, something to think about... I think it's a mistake to bank on learning one piece of software over another. In the end, they all produce images. It's how you use them that makes you employable or not. Blender, Maya, Houdini, whatever... They all make Polygons look pretty.

So use whatever's available to you, but keep in mind that it's the concepts that are most important while learning. Once you learn a specific piece of software really well, you should be able to pick up a comparable one pretty easily.

Also, 10 years from now it'll all change anyway, so staying ahead of the curve will be important. learn how to adapt now so you don't get left behind.

EDIT: that sucks about Maya PLE... =/

[hairston630]

very true with regards to Maya PLE. Also, something to think about... I think it's a mistake to bank on learning one piece of software over another. In the end, they all produce images. It's how you use them that makes you employable or not. Blender, Maya, Houdini, whatever... They all make Polygons look pretty.

So use whatever's available to you, but keep in mind that it's the concepts that are most important while learning. Once you learn a specific piece of software really well, you should be able to pick up a comparable one pretty easily.

Also, 10 years from now it'll all change anyway, so staying ahead of the curve will be important. learn how to adapt now so you don't get left behind.

EDIT: that sucks about Maya PLE... =/

Thank you both for the helpful responses but they took down the PLE for maya if im not mistaken. When I try to install the 8.5 PLE it takes me to register for the 30 day trial.

[sutr]

Apparently taking down the P.L.E was a mistake on autodesks behalf and supposedly it will be up again soon.

[elitevfx]

What jeremybrown said, but - and correct me if I'm just overthinking/analyzing this...

If person "A" learn Blender, and knows how to model well, light well, etc etc, and person "B" goes about learning Maya, who would have the best chance "in the industry" if they were equal good? I know it's all the same under the hood, but still I'd be interested to know more about if a person who uses Blender, applies to a top VFX company, where they most often look for someone that:

"i.e: has full working knowledge of Maya, Thorough knowledge of the principles of 3D (animation, FX, modelling, texturing, lighting, scripting, shading, rendering, rigging)..."

What would be the answer? The guy has an Ok/Good showreel, but so does the other ones applying aswell...and they are Maya people.

Now, lighting, shading is not all the same in all apps, although they may seem the same. Scripting may not be the same either (not today), Rendering isn't the same, if they want you to know about this...Rigging could be the same, but not in every case.

To me it seems like you should have huge balls to apply to a company, where they look for a person who has "several years working experience using Maya etc etc" and while this guy applying may be proficent in Blender/Lightwave/Max/XSI/Houdini/Rhino etc, it's not done in a day the switching to that app. I get that if the company sees the potential in you, they might consider you anyway, but isn't it a little like learning how to drive real well with a car, but you know it'll be a motorcycle race in the end?

As I said, I might be over analysing this a bit, but I'm genuinly interested in knowing more about the subject, so anyone been working with HR that can confirm on these thoughts?

[Gentle Fury]

http://www.brothersoft.com/autodesk-maya-65951.html

There is an alternate mirror to the PLE. Have fun.

btw....just knowing a 3D app may be enough to get you an internship, but if you would like to get paid get good in specific 3D apps...there is no on the job training (at least not paid).

[hairston630]

http://www.brothersoft.com/autodesk-maya-65951.html

There is an alternate mirror to the PLE. Have fun.

btw....just knowing a 3D app may be enough to get you an internship, but if you would like to get paid get good in specific 3D apps...there is no on the job training (at least not paid).

I have the download but when it asks for the key (ple version) I have to click to have one sent to me and it takes me to the 30 day demo trial.

[Gentle Fury]

that's lame.....autodesk really is an aweful company...it doesn't surprise me. See if you can find a Maya 7 PLE, back when Alias was still around (a good company that gave a crap about its customers and future customers).........

[jokerxel]

Im sure everybody knows this, but for those that are looking for a FREE copy of software, try out Houdini (http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=589&Itemid=221). (Thats if you have no luck with Maya PLE)