Napp

i could really give a flip about NAPP to be honest, i occasionally pick up the mag when i see an issue i like but for the most part there's not much i can't do in photoshop if i want to, its getting the idea to start with that's the hard part. the discount would be nice tho.

maya isn't free but there is a PLE (personal learning edition) that you can download and use for free to learn from, its rather functional but puts an ugly watermark across your renders. you can get it at the alias website. yes, its really hard to learn it might be easier learning the basics in a lower end package then moving into maya later on if you really wanted to. and to be totally honest its the artist not the software, you can do photoreal work in almost any package if you learn the basics well.

chris

Originally posted by graphicsguy
mihai - have you tried contacting the NAPP and telling them your story? I would, they seem to really care about their members.

I've been a member on and off for about 6 years, through jobs or on my own. I have not renewed yet this year, I'll probably wait until January - or try to sucker up to my boss to spend the dough!

The benefits: discounts, discounts, discounts. Mostly on seminars, travel, software, training books or computer hardware - if you buy those things a couple of times a yr, GET IN NAPP.

Not to mention the magazine is 100% the best design tool you can get, IMO.

you bet I tried to talk to them. After about 2 months I got a response - I had completely forgotten about the email I sent

they said they're sorry but they didn't get my details - card and stuff... - and kindly asked me to "enroll" again and assured me they will do their best blah blah...

I did the whole thing again - waited for about a month - then sent them another email - never got a response to that...still waiting I guess

as for the discounts - yeah that would be great if I lived in the US - but I live across the ocean - in Romania. even if I did buy online - with a discount from them - the VAT and the customs taxes would bring the items to the price I normally pay here so ... not much sense. The magazine part is what really bugs me - I heard a lot of people say nice things about it....