jcarney

Interesting question; the only answer I can give w/o elaboration is to be motivated TO learn. That's the hard part. I started off a couple years ago, learned a bit about houdini then hit a rather solid wall. I found it increasingly difficult to learn as time went on, got frustrated and quit trying to learn (houdini, at least); I had a problem in that I didn't just want to learn how to do something in Houdini. I wanted to know how to start from opening a new file in Houdini to ending with a short movie, even a simple one. I was able to do just that but it was very difficult. I now have much grander plans which have forced me to step back and learn a bit about film making. My foray into “i want to learn 3d animation” ended up with learning about ideas and scripting, storyboards, lighting, composition, compositing; I've not even touched on sound yet or music score. I have ideas that unfortunately, just learning to use a software app, even a powerful one as houdini, is just a small part. One thing I've learned is that you need to have an idea of WHY you want to learn and what you want to do with what you've learned. I highly suggest reading as much as you can so you can start learning in a specific direction (modeling, technical director, lighting, shading, etc). Good luck.

Speaking from the point of view of someone that has just started out towards the goal of becoming an animator (as in, employed in some capacity doing just that) I think the apprentice edition (or non-commercial) is wonderful. I've tried similar types of Maye (ple) and XSI (experience) and I've found that houdini is more robust, from my limited point-of-view. I don't think it should put any limits on anyone skiled in Houdini's use. What would it matter if you learned from the non-commercial edition or the production/commercial version? If you have the skills and can show it, I would think that would make a great resume in and of itself. The NC version of Houdini, as far as I know, is only limited in what it's final rendered output is. Everything else is pretty much the same in either version. IF you were planning on making a career of creating animated scenes, FOR MONEY, then you'd probably have to purchase the commercial version (which should now be capable of a tax write-off as it would be for business use). As for teaching, I'd think that would depend on how you were going about that; will you be free-lance? Check with individual clients; if it's for school of some sort, check with them; I'm sure that in any case, demonstrable skills would go a long way. Just my opinion.

jc

Ok, i'm not at home (I'll check later) but if your using the NC versions (you didn't specify) and gwwavefront is one of the apps installed with houidini setup, each of them requires a seperate license (as if each was bought and installed separately); even though i use houdini master NC almost exclusively, I have used some of the other apps (halo, etc) and they each ask for separate licenses upon first use. If this isn't your situation, forgive my presumption….I just know this is how it is with the NC stuff…