#Need time estimate pleez
4 messages in this thread
Hi. I could use the help of any of you who have done done some bigger projects
in 3DS. I'm working on a mobility system to move parts of the space station
around in orbit for construction. I want to show some scenarios of possible
uses of our system in our presentation, and I am considering doing it in 3DS.
These will need to be animated sequences, so my questions to you are: is this
possible in 3DS, how time-intensive do you estimate something like this would
be, and how difficult is it to generate complex 3D solids in the program? I
realize the time question is hard to answer since I can't explain much here,
but I need to know if I'm looking at a month's work or 6 month's work. I'm
looking at rendering a simple space station, and one or more
modules/components, and then showing the component being moved into place by
our system. I would like to show thruster firings if possible. Please be
conservative, and feel free to reply either on the forum or send by mail.
Thanks for your help.
-Kevin
Hi Kevin,
<< how long..? >>
I tell people that it takes ~40 hours to do every mouse click and to turn every
page of the base 3DS tutorials and now with the new features of R4, I'd add
another 100 hours. These hours are invaluable. From this platform, you could
dive into one or several of the 3DS books that are available on the market that
would help you with many specific aspects of 3DS modeling and animation. The
tips and techniques found in these books will add to you production efficiency.
jonas[adesk]
Jonas
>> I tell people that it takes ~40 hours to do every mouse click and to turn
every page of the base 3DS tutorials and now with the new features of R4, I'd
add another 100 hours.
I thought you meant 40 hours for EVERY mouse click and EVERY page, until I read
Jack's message and realized you meant for the whole thing. I've been a
hardware/software designer for 12 years and normally install and start using
everything instantly without using the manuals – it took me about 5 to 6 weeks
of around-the-clock studying the manuals/tutorials to become an "expert" with
every command of 3DS. I recommend to people to start at the first tutorial,
and don't go to the next until you completely understand and are an expert with
every command presented. The tutorials are excellent, and dedication to the
complete tutorial will make you an expert. I think it's also important to do a
lot of your own experimentation at the end of every chapter.
The feedback I get from sales organizations are that people get to know one
section of 3DS and that's all they use and understand. A sure sign of not
going through the tutorials. Also, I buy all the books to see how other people
approach unique problems – if you are buying the books to learn how to use 3DS
– you haven't gone through the tutorials.
Now for the time estimate…I sure wish there was a good tutorial for that!
I'm afraid that experience and bravery are the key components.
byron
engineering arts
Kevin,
It depends on how many hours you can spend on this each day. Are you an
experienced 3DS user? I would guesstimate about a month if you're working on
it fulltime and learning as you're going. You could probably cut that in half
if you've got lots of experience. Keep in mind that these estimates are based
on what I _guess_ you are talking about! The more info the better.
Bob W.