Need some info

[scorpion]

I'm 16 and i was wondering is there any way i could do work from home. Like concept art and CGI.
My art in my opinion isn't very good but still i'd like to give freelance a whirl.

Any good sites?

By the way my avator is a 3d model i made in 3ds max 3 (i got 3ds max 6 now)

[JABAJAWOOLU]

you could definitely try to do some freelance work from home even at 16. but might i suggest only using programs that you have a legal license for. if you cant afford a legal license then try using an open source program that is free for use. i cant think of any CGI open source programs but 2d programs are definitely out there. be very careful if you are using unlicensed software.

[scorpion]

Thanks. I thought if you make an image it is just made of numbers. How do they track it to unlicensed software?

[JABAJAWOOLU]

you are right that it is just numbers if its a digital image. but certain programs (like Painter for example) have a distinct look about them. Even a hobbyist can just glance at a picture from Painter and know exactly what program it came from. Thats not always the case but its always better safe than sorry. Play it safe. I was using some unlicensed software for a while, but wasnt using it to make money. I figure if you are just using it to draw as a hobbyist, then they have bigger fish to fry. try using Open Canvas. Very easy to use, and if you know how to use Photoshop then you should be able to learn the differences in about a day. Just doesnt have the filters that PS does. Trust me, better in the long run if you are going to try to capitalize on any of your stuff. :p

[scorpion]

Thanks. I've used photoshop for about a year and i mainly don't use filters anyway but i do use the dodge,sponge and burn tools do they have those in open canvas?

[Warhead82]

Since this thread is open, i know some friends, that use unlicensed programs, like photoshop to do there work in, and they want to get into the industry.

Say, they sent it to the industry in there portfolio. Would the guys hiring be able to tell? Or even care?

[JABAJAWOOLU]

the companies might not check into it, however if your friends who are using it, get any big contracts or anything that attracts attention... there are ways that the company (adobe in this case) can find out. and if there was money made on the contract... they can sue for punitive damages. doesnt come up in a lot of cases... but can put you in a world of hurt if it does come up.

[Serani]

Either way when it comes to work that youve created under a pirated software or unlicensed version it can cause many legality issues that youll want to watch for. If you really have talent a client sometimes will purchase software for you.

[imager777]

For 2d stuff: GIMP, Open Canvas, PSP, Certain student and light editions of Photoshop, any open source image manipulation program

For 3d stuff: Wings3d, and any other open source 3d program

Wings 3d is based off of a program called Marai. It was a very expensive highend 3d package. I had a demo, and liked it better than both lightwave and maya. They used to produce a simple modeling application called Nendo, which was also very good. I don't think Wings 3D has animation support, at this time.