Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by Trebuchetti

Planning to buy TVBox for Dad

Trebuchetti — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 14:50:35 +0800

Hi, I'm planning to buy a TV box for dad who wants to watch international new, specifically from the US.

Most recommend Tanix TX6s or EVpad, which sounds promising. Finding a trustful seller on Shopee is going to be a problem, even with their 5 rating.

Which brand or model would you recommend that's preinstalled with international channels?

And which Shopee or Lazada seller do you trust to buy a TV Box from?

Do local studios accept Procreate skills

Trebuchetti — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 22:32:22 +0800

Planning to get an iPad Pro with Procreate soon, hoping learn digital art on that pad.

Just wondering, if I am to work for any local studios here, be it game or animation, do they accept Procreate skills as well as Procreate files?

Regarding files, if studios don't accept Procreate files, do I need to convert them to Photoshop files?

Concept art jobs in KL/PJ

Trebuchetti — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 10:37:41 +0800

First off, yes, I can google it, but it's still a mess and I can't make out where to start. Options on Wobb & Indeed are either limited or their search engine is messy AF. No way Jose on using Jobstreet after a decade of disappointment.

Just want to narrow down:
1. Where can I places that do offer concept artist jobs?
2. Which studios (game/animation/creative/etc.) are available?
3. Are these studios accessible by public transport, specifically LRT/MRT?
4. If not, do they offer remote work?
5. What kind of artwork they mostly need to see in my portfolio?

Currently, I'm at beginner level, so far ok with portraits & bits of anatomy, but I hope to improve myself within at least 6 months or more. I might sign up for a few online classes that can teach concept art.

Can you help?

List of useful online art & animation schools

Trebuchetti — Fri, 29 May 2020 11:58:36 +0800

There's a crapload of online classes out there that is too overwhelming for most Malaysians to start. I thought I might start a list of some good online classes based reviews, recommendations and my personal experiences with a few of them.

For starters, here's where you can find some lists of good schools:

Best Online Animation Schools by CreativeBloq
Brad Colbow's list 2020
ConceptArtEmpire's series of list especially list of the best online figure drawing courses.

For beginners:

DrawABox.com
Completely basic yet useful lessons. Free

Watts Atelier Online
Start with the $99 Drawing option, then jump straight to the Quicksketch Fundamentals, then Figure Fundamentals, then Head Fundamentals, before moving to Head Phase 1 or Figure Phase 1. Looks complicated at first, but once you sit the eff down and follow along the lessons, it get s easier It's $99 monthly, so schedule wisely.

Proko
Start with Head & Figure drawing, then move on to Anatomy. There's a Caricature course, as well, if you want to one-up that abang at KL Sentral. Every course starts with $59 for portrait & $99 for figure.

Aaron Blaise.
Former Disney animator for Brother Bear teaching some art & animation lessons. So if you want to learn to draw Disney style cartoons, it's good time now, since prices are now discounted to free, $1, and onwards

Studio Technique
Online class by another former Disney animator, Samantha Youssef. More emphasis on Figure Drawing and basic 2D Animation. Quite pricey, at USD850 per class and schedule based on Canadian time zone.

SVS Learn
SVS Learn is a new online school started by industry vets aimed at teaching art & design at lower cost than typical Western art schools. The one I've linked is a learning path, so you'll know where to start first. Price list

21-Draw
A Kickstarter backed online art school. List of instructors includes Warren Louw, whose art style in same caliber as Artgerm.

Schoolism
A well-known school from the before 2010s. Instructors include vets from Pixar and that one Kim Possible/Danny Phantom artist. Annual sub is $299 so if interested, wait for sale.

New Masters Academy
Quite pricier and lot more legit as it's taught by more elite artists such as Glenn Vilppu, Steve Huston etc. Wait for the special discounts during the US holidays.

Intermediate:

Constructing a Human Figure
Once you get your basic figure drawing down, it's time to learn anatomy. This one teaches how to lay down the bones & muscles one by one. It takes patience to follow through, though. Almost similar to Michael Hampton's lessons. $75

FORCE Drawing
If you want to push your gesture further, check this site out. You can start with the bundle thats about $120. Memberships has crits & reviews of your art.

Paintable
If you want to focus more on digital art, you can start here.

CTRL+PAINT
Same as above, but free.

Gnomon Workshop
Some great lessons by industry vets. Used to be priced per lesson, but now it's subscription.

CG Master Academy
It's quite good, if you can pour yourself into it. Be warned, there are hardware requirements, every lesson is per priced, starting from $699 and US schedule may conflict with Malaysian, so if interested, talk with the representatives and know what you get yourself into.

Animation Mentor Workshops
The overall Animation Mentor course is pricier than f**k, but there are some more concentrated workshops worth checking out such as storyboard, concept art & 2D animation. Scheduling is like above, so talk with reps before considering. $899 is still pricey for every lesson.

Advanced:

Animation Mentor
If you want a fully certified online animation school, this is where you can start. Recommended by many animation studios. Pricey, high hardware & software requirements and maybe complicated, so talk with the reps for more info

CG Spectrum
Same as above and as just pricey. Covers more courses than just animation. Still, have a chat with reps for more info.

Full Sails Online
The closest thing to being the Harvard of online design school. It's accredited and pricier. Again, have a chat with reps, bla bla, if interested, 'cos it assumes you know your basic training.

And that's far as I know.

I'll keep updating if I find some more good online, or you can recommend some good online classes.

Where to learn graphic design online?

Trebuchetti — Thu, 28 May 2020 20:48:33 +0800

So where can I learn basic graphic design online?

The reason is that I've had my fill of retail & admin jobs and I want to move on. Long-term, I'm hoping to work for animation or game studios in Malaysia, but for now, I'm settling for working as a graphic designer for small companies, at least for a while. Since I didn't go to colleges for GD and now it's the MCO, I might have to go online to learn.

So where to start?

Udemy & Skillshare is tempting, but their reputation is meh.

Best I can find is on Coursera, which is taught by CalArts; and Shaw Academy. Both are offering courses for free (for now).

Any other online clases you'd recommend?

Portfolio: What do animation studios look for?

Trebuchetti — Sat, 02 May 2020 18:30:01 +0800

I'm currently practicing my drawing skills in hopes of getting into the animation. Once I get my foundation down, I might move on to storyboarding & concept art.

Just wanna know, what do most animation & game studios in Malaysia generally look for in a portfolio?

And what should I prepare in the portfolio?

Need advice on scoring an entry-level office job

Trebuchetti — Fri, 01 May 2020 06:04:12 +0800

Currently on contract at Shopee HQ since Dec 2019. May likely not get an extension due issues such as average job performance. Currently looking up Indeed for any office jobs.

Any way to score an entry-level desk jobs such as data entry or basic admin at a decent company in KL?

Yap Chan Kor

Trebuchetti — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 11:22:47 +0800

Is Yap Chan Kor any good?

I'm thinking going to one branch in Subang due to shoulder pain, but I have yet to come across any honest reviews beyond testimonials and FB claims.

What's your opinion?

Best dealers for Cintiq or Huion in KL?

Trebuchetti — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 21:27:08 +0800

Planning to buy a Cintiq Pro 24 or at least a Huion Kamvas 22HD by end of the year.

I could drop by All IT or Thunder Match and find out, but in case those stores don't have either two, do you know any good dealers in KL or PJ you'd trust with your life?

I've been to Sunway, but forgot to get his contact.

If Lowyat or Digital Mall near Jaya, do you anyone less scummy?

Why can't Samsung MY release info on future tabs?

Trebuchetti — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 07:58:43 +0800

Why can't Samsung Malaysia release any info on upcoming releases of new tabs in Malaysia?

I've been looking forward to get this new Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 for months now, and so far no news on local release.

Are there any anon insiders here that can help?

Kickstarter's here in Singapore.

Trebuchetti — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 18:02:07 +0800

So Singapore now has Kickstarter. If you have friends & relatives in Singapore, you could ask them to help you create some projects.

What kind of dream projects you decide to make with Kickstarter?

Buy Samsung tablet off of Amazon or wait?

Trebuchetti — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 23:23:17 +0800

So this is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 from Amazon.

As the tablet was released in June 2016 & has yet to arrived in Malaysia, need your opinion on whether it's better to buy from Amazon soon or wait for official release. It seems the Amazon version is cheaper than would be released Malaysian version plus Amazon promises free shipping to Malaysia.

What would you recommend?

If order from Amazon, what are the pros and cons?

Buy Samsung tablet off of Amazon or wait?

Trebuchetti — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 07:48:28 +0800

How do you plug PS2 console to PC monitors?

Trebuchetti — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 12:43:55 +0800

Hi, I'm planning to buy a Playstation 2, but living room TV's occupied, so I'm left with a PC monitor.

My current monitor has a HDMI input.

Two questions:

How do you plug a PS2's AV cable onto the monitors HDMI?

How do you get an audio out of the monitor?

Please be gentle. It's my first time.

How do you plug PS2 console to PC monitors?

Trebuchetti — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 12:41:00 +0800