Learning R-VFX on the Internet | A Tutorial Rant

[Mez]

@bgolus

Unlike almost any other discipline in video games it’s the one that seemingly requires you to learn everything possible before you can accomplish anything. You need to know all of the technical aspects and tools of the engine you’re using, to understand all the parts of how real time rendering works, how to write shaders, how to write code, how to use 2D art applications, how to use 3d modeling tools, how to use complex fluid sims and animation tools, how to use high end video editing software, everything.

Here’s a tip; You don’t need to know most of that.

Where in the 'ell was advice like this a few months ago. Oh man, that’s a huge weight. This is exactly the type of thing I’ve been looking for. As I’ve mentioned recently, all I have to go off of is the work of experts. I didn’t know how far to go, so I said - try everything! …

@bgolus

Don’t try to learn everything

I did try. I mean, do you see the giant wall of text! Of course I did! I REGRET NOTHING!

…

…ow.

._.

@bgolus

Also, your comment about most tutorials not being for real time VFX … that’s wrong, they’re all tutorials for real time VFX. Any tutorial relevant to video game dev is another’s tool. It’s kind of up to you to figure out how those tools work best for you.

All in all, I absolutely agree 100%

Not all tutorials I’ve watched are relevant to video game devs. Sometimes I’m just trying to figure out how to do something, because it’s what I have. Such as simulations in 3ds Max, not Fume FX, just Max. I’ve also tried in Houdini, but I don’t own that so that’s another thing. That means I’m looking where ever I can find that data, risks and all. Default Max isn’t exactly an industry standard for simulations, that would be Maya or the plug in. I’ve been trying to make things happen with what I have.

Having said that, to bring this full circle, based on what you say I did push my self farther then I should have at this time.

Thank you