Q: What program would you recommend I learn to become an animator?

A: We recommend Maya Unlimited 2008, because it is currently the industry standard for the visual effects industry. Once learing one platform, much of your skills will translate to other programs.

Q: I don't have enough money to buy a software license. How can I learn to become an animator?

A: Autodesk offers a Maya Personal Learning Edition for this purpose. It is a complete version of Maya Complete 2008, that saves to a file format that can only be used with Maya Personal Learning Edition and watermarks all rendered imagery. It is a fantastic learning tool, but does not serve the purpose of this web site.

Another option is Blender, an open source 3D application that is freely available from their website. Blender has excellent modeling and UV mapping tools. If you have little or no money and you are interested in learning an application that will allow you to contribute to Grasshorse, we recommend Blender.

Q: What program would you recommend I learn to become an compositor?

A: We recommend Combustion 2008 since it is a widely used compositing program that is available for both Macintosh and Windows operating systems. It has fantastic editing, compositing, paint, and particle toolset. Combustion uses the "Discreet" User Interface that will facilitate users transition to higher end visual effects systems, such as Toxic, Flint, Flame and Inferno.

Q: What book would you recommend to learn more about compositing?

A: Ron Brinkman's "The Art and Science of Digital Compositing" is a fantastic book from one of the founding members of Nothing Real, the company that developed the software "Shake". It is very in depth and does a great job of explaining all of the main concepts of compositing without being program specific. So once you learn the concepts, you can then apply those concepts to any program you choose.

Q: What book would you recommend to learn more about 3D animation?

A: As far as books are concerned, any one text will not do. There are a lot of "all-in-one" books, on the market, that try and teach all of the general concepts of Maya. We wouldn't recommend those. There is too much information to digest and they do not present enough information about any one subject to be used as a reference book. Since we have built our pipeline around the Maya platform, we think the Maya Foundation book would be the best introduction to the main concepts of 3d animation.

After completing that text try a book that focuses on one facet of computer animation that you find interesting. The Learning Maya series of books are very clear, provide great tutorials, and are invaluable as a future reference.

The Maya Techniques DVD's are a great resource as well.

Q: What book would you recommend to learn more about character modeling and rigging?

A: For facial modeling, rigging and animation, "Stop Staring: Facial Modeling and Animation Done Right" by Jason Osipa is a book that can help any, modeler, rigger, or animator. We have developed our pipeline taking the techniques outlined in this book into consideration. This should be required reading for any Character Animator, Modeler, or Rigger.

Q: What book would you recommend to learn more about lighting, texturing and rendering?

A: There are two answers to that. Just to learn how to actually do the nuts and bolts of lighting and rendering we would recommend the Learning Maya Text on Rendering. If you are more interested in learning the art of lighting and rendering we have a couple of suggestions. First would be Digital Lighting & Rendering by Jeremy Birn. This book gives great insight into the techniques, and how to apply those techniques to your animations. It is not Maya centric though. It's more conceptual than a how-to book.

The other two books we would recommend are books on cinematography and film lighting in general. If you're interested in lighting or rendering real world objects you need to have a full understanding of how the apparatus of film and video is captured, as well as the physics of light. Cinematography and Film Lighting by Kris Malkiewicz are both incredibly insightful books.

Q: I have a license of 3D Studio Max/Lightwave/XSI/Blender or and older version of Maya. Can I participate in a production?

A: Yes, you can participate, however, you will be limited to the departments in which you can participate. We have optimized our pipeline for Maya 2008. Most departments require the use of Maya 2008 because they utilize materials that have been created for that version of the application. So no other version of the application will work.

The Modeling and Texture departments are different. In those departments the materials that are used are stored in a file format that can be used with many 3D applications. If you are solely interested in modeling and/or texturing, any 3D package that can export the .obj file format can be used. All other 3D departments must adhere to the standard.

Q: I have a license of After Effects/Shake/Nuke Can I participate in a production?

A: Only composites created with Combustion 2008 (or older) will be accepted. Our pipeline has accepted that program as the standard, and since final rendering will be output locally we must adhere strictly to that standard.

Q: I don't have Photoshop, can I use Gimp or Cinepaint instead?

A: Yes, either would be fine substitutions.

Q: I don't live in the United States, and I am not a United States Citizen. Can I participate in profit sharing as well?

A: Yes, international members may participate in profit sharing, given they fill out the proper paperwork and return it to us, when requested.