Learning 3D Animation

I'd like to learn up on 3D animation, but I'm not sure how I should go about doing it. If I studied independently, I would save money and have a flexible schedule, but I don't know which modeling/animation software to choose, or which textbooks to study from. If I took a course at a school, I would have a great curriculum laid out for me, but it would cost a lot more money, and I probably couldn't fit it into my schedule unless I took some online classes.

Anyone have any suggestions for me? Note, I work a full time job, and in total, it takes up at least 10 hours of my day when factoring in travel time and breaks. So if I'm doing school, I'd need to do it for just a couple hours on weeknights and/or anytime on the weekends. If I'm studying independently, I need some damn good direction.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Thanks for the help so far, guys! I figured Maya would get the most recommendation, but I wasn't sure if anything had stolen its place yet.

I'm most interested in modeling first, animation second. It would be great, however, if the software I use has a good skeletal system for modeling characters. Support for physics in animation would also be awesome, if possible.

Would Maya still be a good choice in this case?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Devo

Do you have any background in animation first? Like sketching, anatomical modeling, clay sculpting, color and design?

I have experience with traditional art. And I draw almost every day.

But, um, the renderer will take care of things like shading and perspective for you, providing you set up the camera and light sources properly.

Double Post:

Originally Posted by YeOldeButchere

It'd be somewhat nice to know just what exactly you want to do, by which I mean do you want this to be a hobby, or do you intend to eventually make money out of this?

Just a hobby for now, but who knows. I certainly would like to do this professionally if I get good at it.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Thanks for the info, Ulysses.

Money is not much of a concern for me. I'd be willing to spend a couple thousand just for doing it as a hobby. If I found some excellent classes that fit in with my schedule (and thus giving me creditable experience), I would be willing to spend even more.

Right now I'm interested in modeling characters (human and non-human) the most, but I'd like to try my hand at a bit of everything.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Great post, Ed! I will certainly heed your words.

To answer your question, I think video games are what I would like to be most involved with. But as I said before, I like to try a bit of everything. My only real goal right now is to get enough experience with modeling/animating to I know if it will be something I enjoy, and something I will do well.

Thanks for the info!

I was speaking idiomatically.

Thanks for the input, Gelf and rubber!

Does anyone have any recommended online schools? Also, does it make much of a difference if the physical campus is located with my area or not? I'd like to weigh in all of my options.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I've moved this thread to the Creator's Cafe. I should have probably put it here in the first place, but I always forget about this forum.

Anyway, thanks for the further replies. I have begun checking out some of the suggested resources, and I bought "The Animator's Survival Kit" (very cool). I'll reply here again when I've made further progress on starting this.

FELIPE NO