I'm not new, I'd just like want to get to know you all so lets post something about each other, maybe a legnthy bio or a short description. So I'll start with a nice long bio;
About Jason Zi Feng Lei
Early Life
Jason Zi Feng Lei was born on the 28th of November of the year 1992 in the Australian City of Perth at the King Edward Memorial Hospital. He lived within the suburb of Highgate for 4 years of his life. It was a dangerous suburb at that time. Crime was quite common. He has a fairly dull and poor life, waking up each morning to traffic and general noise. Because of his family’s poor state, he had very little toys and mostly spent his time either with his mother at the bakery she worked at or at home. Sometimes, his neighbour would take him in when his parents were out making a living. His creative side kicked in due to boredom as he had to do something. He spent much of this time either making wonderful shapes using the dough/pastry or drawing on paper. He even learnt to speak 3 different languages, English, Cantonese and Vietnamese although he forgot the later (Vietnamese). When Jason was 4 his mother gave birth to his brother, Jack. At that same time The Lei family had enough money and had decided to move away from the crime filled suburb of Highgate and move into the more pleasant suburb of Parkwood, it was here that Jason would live until he moved away from home.
Childhood
The move to Parkwood was a big step, Jason had now accumulated many toys and now had a brother to play with, with this in mind, and he quickly left his creativity behind. It wasn't until he began school at Parkwood Primary that he began drawing again. During the six months he spent at Parkwood Primary, Jason made many creative pieces of art just like any other child. This was most fun for Jason but it was only Pre-Primary so you would have expected this. After the six months at Parkwood Primary School, Jason's Parents decided to move him to a new school, Kinlock Primary School. At this school, Jason had lost interest in Art; instead he had made friends and was more interested in playing with them than drawing. Although he and another friend Kim Tian drew well, they only drew Battleships, Weapons and planes like all other action crazed children. It was during the next 5 years that Jason was introduced to the piano and numbers. Jason's parents were very educationally strict on him so they focused him on mathematics and piano for those few years. He soon moved to a new school, a private school, Divine Mercy College, there were no art classes there and so his interest in the arts completely disappeared until he moved to a new school, John Wollaston Anglican Community School. It was at this school that he would graduate, it was this school that would boost his interest in the arts, this was the school that got him to the point he is now.
Teenage Life
Jason moved to John Wollaston Anglican Community School in grade 7, it was kind of different from all the schools he went to, this school had a gym, had an auditorium it had almost everything. Jason also like the art classes, he seemed more interested in the arts than in what he was good at, maths. During year 7, he enjoyed all his arts classes; he mainly enjoyed sketching and never really liked sticking things to paper. Jason felt very different now, he had a very different view, and he enjoyed art as it seemed to take him out of this world, out of his strict parent’s hands. Finally, Jason graduated from year 7 and entered the mysterious years of high school. It was very different, he now had access to a computer as his parents had recently bought him one, slow it was but back then, it was very fast, an AMD Duron 1.1ghz, 256mb of RAM, 20GB H/D, nVidia TNT/TNT2 Pro and a nice 16" CRT screen, this took his mind off everything. Like all teenage boys, he played games. But it wasn't the games that he got enjoyment out of, it was the graphical side of things that wondered him mainly, it was all those pretty colours, and it was there that he made the decision to jump into the world of digital art. It was year 8 when he first dreamt of programming games like other teenage boys who played games. Jason even teamed up with other kids including his best friend Daniel Jones from Kinlock Primary who somehow came to John Wollaston. That year was full of planning and learning, it was that small mistake Jason made that lead to the beginning of grade drops and failures. Although Jason handled year 8 well, year 9 was a bit different. During year nine the group of boys decided to stop making games but Jason who had dreamt of it had continued on, he was now almost expert at using Game Maker and at programming GML, this was a big thing for Jason (although looking back, that was very simple) but Jason who was now a one man team, could not find a way to get the graphics, but one day he stumbled on the simple but great graphics suite, Anim8or. He was amazed at it, he picked it up quite quickly and as time passed and grades dropped, Jason got right into the thick of it, always trying to find new ways of modelling, he loved it, he loved modelling things, he loved it so much, and he dropped Game Maker and decided to just stick with modelling in 3D. This was where Jason's current dream would start, in Year 9.
Teenage Life Continued
Jason finished out year 9 on a fairly decent grade although not as good as the years before he finished it, his best grades were in Art class but that didn't please his parents too much. During year 10 though, Jason was more focused with Anim8or and Blender than his school so to make this short, he almost failed year 10. Year 11 was quite the same although, he didn't choose an Art class surprisingly he was still in the thick of 3D that he failed this year. But still got to go through to year 12. And Year 12 is a new story that will come at the end of this year.
Conclusion
Jason may regret some of his mistakes but he has advice to give to others, and that advice is;
Remember, education first, don't make the mistake I did.
it was all christianity there.. although i dont believe in it... aanymore.
ok, guys, a bit about me.
My name is John Bacon (yes real name, dont care what you think)
i am 15, turning 16 this sunday (25th january) I am starting year 10 this year and I want to get a job in 3d/ graphics
im not really into playing games, more the creating them side of it. I am learning HTML but i eventually want to learn C+.
i play guitar (alot(im on it when im not on my computer)) and I am getting very good at it.
my fave band is AC/DC although i like pink floyd, guns n roses, led zeppelin, deep purple and things like that.
thats about it, i hate writing big pieces about myself. :)
have a good day,
John Bacon (AKA rocknroll93)
Ok I can't resist, I have to write something. Ok here we go.
My name is Thomas Schlabra
I live in a small town in Texas, I have always been really good at stuff like math, science, you name it.
Im not tnumber 1in my class, but I am close, I'm in the top 10%, but there is only about 150 people in my class.
Life was going great until I was about 14. It was then I felt that I was missing out on something big in life, something that I should experience.
All of my life I have been doing well in math and stuff that I felt, even though I was good at, it didn't have any character to it. All I did back then was homework and video games. My life changed though one day when one of my teachers showed me game maker (yes I'm pretty sure all of you guys have heard this story) I was fasinated by it. I felt that I was letting out my creative side that "The Man" has surpressed in me all of these years. Of course I was looking around the Game Maker resources and found Anim8or. I almost gave up on it until I found the forums
.
It wasn't till then that I have found the missing aspect of my life, it was art. Now yes I lack art skills, but it was amazing. I learned that art chould take many forms such as CG, drawing, and music. I then made it my mission to perfect my art skills and take up the guitar.
In highschool I kinda quit playing videogames and took up programming along with art.
Though my CG skills have improved some and my guitar skills have improved greatly (Music is amazing, I mostly play acoustic and Andy Mckee is my insperation, just look him up on youtube)
I really hope that you don't have to be born with art and drawing skills and if so.....well.....hmmmm...I'm shafted
I still like to consider myself a noob, since I feel that it is the best time to learn and that I still have so much to learn.
Also right now I am going over religious philoshphies (currently I am reading the Teaching of Buddha), no I am not buddhist, but It is very intresting to learn about other cultures.
Well that is my long, sappy story about me finding the true wonders of art, and ect.
I'm surprised that they haven't made a movie about my life yet, but I fugure it is only a matter of time
Wow, it's so great to be able to read about everyone. It seems we all follow roughly the same dream ey!
It's time to bring this thread back to life!
My name is Joey Pender, otherwise known as "TheProducer". I took over Anim8or.org/CG-Nation from Raxx a few months ago, and i've got big plans for the site and the community, some of which you've seen come to fuition over the past few weeks.
I started off with CG in middle school, starting with a program called DoGA (a Japanese 3D animation training program). During the three years I used that application, I created four animated shorts (known as "The Gamers") that were completed before I finished high school (i'll get them on my website eventually). After high school , I attended two years at the Art Institute of Atlanta for Media Arts and Animation, eventually transfering to Wayne Community College where I went into Simulation and Game Design.
Currerntly, I currently work as a freelance web developer also doing game related projects on the side.
I'm into 3D modeling and animation for NPR (non photo-realistic rendering), game programming and storytelling.
As for programming, I have 2D and 3D game programming experience in Flash (actionscript), C++ and C# (including XNA).
My main motivation into CG is not purely the art: its more to use CG and art to tell a story. I'm a storyteller mainly, and i've written tons of short stories and screenplays, several have one HS contests and were turned into plays. Now i'm aiming for larger targets (hollywood), and using the explosion of cheap and open source CG and film making tools and software available on the net to produce my own indie shorts and video games.
As for tools...I have working knowledge of all of the major 3D packages, as well as high experience in the Adobe Suite of graphics software. Currently I use Autodesk Maya and Blender for my 3D work, with my eye and foot inside of Autodesk Softimage for a possible migration.
My vision for CGN is to make this a great site and community for those interseted in competition based skill building and portfolio generation for users on multiple platforms - not just another badly designed/programmed SMF clone optimized for Windows-only users. Over the summer you will see that vision quickly take shape, and I assure you that you will all enjoy some of the new things I have in store!
![.: X[ Romantic ]X :. Best Modeling](/files/badges/xx_romantic_modeling.png ".: X[ Romantic ]X :. Best Modeling"){kind=small}
![.: X[ Romantic ]X :. Best Texturing](/files/badges/xx_romantic_texturing.png ".: X[ Romantic ]X :. Best Texturing"){kind=small}
Well if you insist!
My name is Adam, obviously known as Hihosilver (very occasionally as BraveSirRobin).
I fell in love with CG in 7th grade after a boring course in gamemaker, after which I came back home, and while searching for sprites on google, I found anim8or and the world of CG which I will continue to love all my life. Currently I am a junior in high school and eagerly look forward to college (or at least senior year).
I have always been very much into art. I began drawing at an early age, and asked for cartooning books for my birthday which my brother and I would use to help us learn to draw. Back in middle school I even created a few very fun comics with a good friend who greatly influenced me both stylistically and challenged my artistic abilities. My motivation with art is probably just the beauty of it all, the challenge and creativity, as well as the affect it can have. I have always been an aspiring actor as well, a very outgoing person and love to lead, which are a few of the reasons why animation in particular intrigues me.
I have experience in many programs including Anim8or, Photoshop, Macromedia Flash, OpenCanvas, Adobe Premiere as well as a bit of 3ds max and Maya. I have been very interested in computers from an early age, and have worked with them constantly (not the inner workings as much, more graphics oriented things).
I have minor experience in programming, as I took a class in gamemaker (which hardly counts) and Freshman year took a course where we learned Scheme and Java.
Currently I am taking a media arts class which is a lot of fun and goes into the art of creating movies, music videos, film noirs, video poetry, public service anouncements and client projects. Perhaps I'll even show a piece or two to the community.
As for my goals in the future, I do aspire to become a professional CG artist. Next year I am taking an independent study where I can focus on CG and a portfolio for college. I plan to attend a strong liberal arts college with a strong CG program (I know I'm cutting my options down a lot), but I feel a worldly foundation is very important. From there I will delve into the different aspects of 3D, and see if Animation really is the thing that I wish to pursue, or whether it be another course in the medium.
Overall I have been with the Anim8or community for around 4 years now, which looking back on it doesn't seem that long. I was with the .org forum back in the day before it was refurbished a few times then turned into CG nation. I look forward to what this community is becoming and developing as and enjoy where it has already gone.
I'm not sure what else I can share, other than the fact that I have an utter infatuation with footy/soccer/futball and can never get enough of it.
Thats all for now folks!
Well hello,
My name is Floyd Angenent and I live in Wageningen, which is a small town in the netherlands.
I'm 18 years old and started college last year. I did a course in moleculair sciences but quited two months ago. Now I'm busy with some Art assignments for my new study: 3d computer animations and visual effects. When I pass the tests I will start in september.
I got interrested in 3d a couple years ago on highschool. Kinda similar too adam. We got some lessons in gamemaker and along the way I found anim8or. That was about 2-2,5 years ago. About as long as I'm active on the anim8or.com forum. Since a half year I'm also a global moderator there.
I'm now active on the .org/cgn forum for a year and i like where is going. It's a great source of inspirations.
Next to anim8or I mostly work with 3ds max right now. I have some experience in maya and cinema4d. I also do some video editing with premiere and after effects and ofcourse photoshop.
With a bit of luck I will be picked next month to start my new study. I'm really excited about working in the movie industry as an animator. Fingers crossed!
-floyd
That's great Floyd! Good luck with getting picked for your new study.
Well. About me. I was born in 1993. My mom dead(Don't know why), and my father unknown, I was put into state care for two years, then went to a foster care home. When I turned four, I was adopted into a family and my name was changed to Matthew. I did not get along well with them and I was seriously deprived of entertainment seeing only three or four movies in the six years I lived there. It eventually became to tense between us, and they sent me to Pleasant Hills Children's Home, a christian-based organization.
The Home opened a lot more oppurtunities for me. I was halfway through my fourth-grade year when I came here. I did okay in school, straight A's for a while. At the Home, since we are christian-based, we get no money from the state, and it is run solely on donations from churches. So to say thank-you, we go to these churches and perform songs, skits, and dramas. I am the best a drama. I am a good actor, probally because I know how to fake emotions really well. I am also very gifted in drawing, mainly pencil drawings. Though since I have started Blender, I have made only one drawing outside of school. I also love to read books, and play videogames. I love a challenge, and I am a fast learner, so I usually always become the best in our house at any game. (The Home is seperated into four homes-called cottages.)
I had saved up late my 9th grade year and bought a $1500 laptop.(I am considered the richest kid on the home, though I came with no money. I'm just a good saver.) It was this year, 10th grade, that I first got into computer graphics. I had really no idea of it before. Thomas introduced me to animator. I tried it for a while, but didn't get farther than making a desk. Then he told me about Blender. This was around last November. I spent the next month trying to learn how to use Blender. I had to stop during Christmas, because I didn't have my laptop. But then January came, and I made my first two animations. One was a chess piece, which I solely followed a tutorial(The only way I could learn anything about Blender was from tutorials. No one else here knows much about it.), but then I added a few more pieces. I stopped soon because I ran into a problem where after I copied a pawn, it disappeared when I tried to animate it. I now know that was because it copied the first pawns movements.(I may finish it later.) My other animation was a roller coaster. I followed a mine train tutorial, and then decided to use what I knew to make a rooler coaster.
So since then I have learned how to use physics, softbodies, fluids, nodes, and other things in Blender. I started a big project to make an animated movie myself-I had it all planned out and everything-but my computer isn't strong enough. So now I am saving all of my money(very slow progress. I only get $60 a month. I have about $500 now.) I am trying to get $3000 to buy a computer with 12gig RAM, I7 Core Processor, and other things that will decrease my limits in Blender. I haven't had any contact with my adoptive parents in over five years, but I don't believe I need them.
Well, I have to admit that Blender is also taking priority in school. I am still doing okay, barely in the top 10%, but I could do better if I tried. But animating is to be my future. I plan on going to Fullsail University and pursueing a career in Computer Animating, and maybe Game Art. (It was on this site that I found out about Fullsail. It was on an ad.)
Scorpia, be sure to keep your mind open as well, there are lots of other great colleges for 3D as well (I've been looking a good deal at colleges recently.)
For example, if you were looking at 4-year liberal arts colleges with strong programs (as I am) there are choices like:
USC, Chapman, Emerson, Champlain
For art schools there are a good deal, such as:
SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), VFS (Vancouver Film School), Fullsail as you mentioned and many more (pratt, ringling, etc.)
But also, don't think about it too much yet, you have a good deal of time yet! 
Welcome all!
Scorpia, I would also pay close attention to the cost associated with any school you plan to go to. Raking up a large student loan debt is not ideal if you can avoid it at all, so pick carefully.
Be sure that you are confident of your abilities to enter the industry after any form of education so that you'll make your investment in the school worth it.
wow some peeps have lots to say.
me i'm just me and want to play around with animation and see what other peeps do and show.
Welcome to the community!
So are you interested in animation on just a hobby level, or do you want to do it as a career at some point?
oh i dont know if i could ever do career. is this a site for career-thinking people?
Nope, CG-Nation is open to anyone who is interested in CG on any level.
Hello,my name is Zikani Mwase.A Malawian.I am a graphics designer and 3d modeller.I am into any form of graphic art.I just started 3d modelling last year(2008) but i have been at photoshop since roughly '06 . I am interested in doing part time jobs in the movie and game industries some time in the future.I enjoy Rock,using PC's and playing football(soccer).
As at now i am waiting to go to college....just wrote my finals(may-june).Looking forward to workin with you guys.:)
Excellent, welcome to the community!
What 3D program are you currently using?
Hey! :D
Name is Jake (AKA Spicy), some of you guys will know me from the main anim8or forum ;)
I just thought I'd pop in and say hi. I use Blender 3D as my main 3D software, im on it quite alot of the time.
Thats about it.
Welcome to the community Spicy! It's good to see you back around. I look forward to seeing your blender work.
Ah, its good to see you here Hiho!
I hope to upload a few bits and bobs here. :)
Hi jake! good to see you active again, since you left anim8or.com.
Hi, guys !
Err... I won't say a lot of things like you guys, even because my english isn't too good. :P
My name is Felipe, i'm brazilian, 20 years and i'm here to learn all that i can about design. I found this forum looking for how i can make a xbox 360 controller. I hope you guys can help me, and later i can help too. I want learn about design not just for a hobby, but for job too. I used to live in Rio de Janeiro, but luckly i move to here, Florianopolis, and i'm learning a lot of thing about my passion, tecnology ( and ladies, hehe ).
So, that's it, a few things about me.
See ya o/
Hey Felipe :) welcome to CGNation
what software do you currently use for designing?
Hey, mcheccyb.
I'm using blender right now. Just following some tutorials and videos when i can. Sadly i haven't anything to show... yet.
nice, I use blender too.
takes a while to learn to use, but once you can use it it's a very powerful tool.
good luck with your learning :)
Welcome to the community Lets2Rock!
We aren't specific to one application here at CG-Nation, but I'd say a fair bunch of us use Maya and Blender. If you've got any questions about Blender or any CG topic, don't hesitate to post it in our forums!
Thank's guys!
I'm having issues with separated parts in blender, not just to join the parts, but also which piece must be separated or just one.
Ok. i finally decided to introduce myself after lurking around. My name is Zikani Mwase and i'm from Malawi. I use 3ds max, photoshop and anim8or.
Welcome to CG Nation Boywonda1!
So what kinds of things do you do with CG? Is it just a hobby, or are you/have been going to school for it?
![.: X[ Fly ]X :. Best Flying Technique](/files/badges/fly_besttechnique.png ".: X[ Fly ]X :. Best Flying Technique"){kind=small}
Thank's guys!
I'm having issues with separated parts in blender, not just to join the parts, but also which piece must be separated or just one.
Wow... my thread is still alive?!
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OMG, I start y10 this year, and I focus a lot of time on Anim8or and Blender, you story has changed my view on schooling!
And whats up with Divine Mercy College, no art, wheres the humanity?