Learning Curve?

Question

Level 1

5 points

Learning Curve?

How big's the learning curve in Shake? I've never used before but am thinking of getting because I see more and more guys who are fluent in it and I feel it's kind of a necessity for the field of movie making these days. Thanks

Bones

G5, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Feb 21, 2008 8:02 AM

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Answer 1

michelb

Level 1

15 points

Feb 21, 2008 9:15 AM in response to Bonesone4

Can you tell us where you are coming from(which app you are used to using).
I came from AE and it was a strange thing to learn but now I can't stand AE or any other layer based Comp app.

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Answer 2

Feb 21, 2008 9:50 AM in response to Bonesone4

Like any other program... the curve is big, but used regularly you'll get better and it will seem more natural.

As for "necessity for the field of movie making"... Yes and no. Was the 'big boy' for years. But really just in compositing. Do you do a lot of compositing? If not, why would you think you need Shake?

CaptM

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Answer 3

Bonesone4 Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 21, 2008 10:20 AM in response to michelb

I'm currently using AE CS3 and loving it. It has its limitations for what I want to do. Is its primary function compositing or can it pretty much do what AE does?

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Answer 4

Bonesone4 Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 21, 2008 10:22 AM in response to Captain Mench

well I'm really into visual effects and editing. I'm trying to teach myself in my free time and weekends. I've been doing this for some time now now so I feel pretty comfortable, at the moment, in Final Cut Express 4 and AE CS3. Eventually I'd love to score a job at an effects house or post house somewhere 🙂

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Answer 5

Feb 21, 2008 11:12 AM in response to Bonesone4

Shake's sole purpose is compositing. No fancy filters, no motion graphics features - just compositing. I consider After Effects to be a motion graphics application that can composite, rather than a compositing application, although people seem to differ in this opinion.

Shake 4 comes with a great tutorial book that will teach you a lot of the essential things you will need to know.

If you want to get into visual effects professionally, I'd say it's essential to learn node-based compositing.

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