I’ve only been using Max for a few weeks now and am now getting more into it and am learning how to get out of the dork band and into actually learning what this tool can do. My question is, is V-Ray something I should invest time in learning at this point or is it for more advanced Max users? I look at the realistic renders shown off on this site and drool with jealousy, but also know that you gotta learn in gradients or you’ll end up learning nothing. At which point should I get interested in learning V-ray or is now the time. Thanks for any insight into this.
Texturing and modeling skills are more important IMO than the renderer. That being said texturing and modeling are much more fun with a renderer like V-Ray. If your not going to go hungry buying it, I don’t think it would hurt. 
vray and renderers of its ilk are the future… sure you have alots to learn everywhere… but dont let that stop you. Its just a tool, either you make it part of your arsenal, or be left behind because everyone else is…
dooo-it! dooooo-it! dooooOOO-it!
everyone’s doing it
wow your parents
impress your girlfriend
be a Man, man
aaawwwwoooOOO!!!
dear rr and pd,
thanks for the guidance. got it and seems like i should start learning it. do you have a suggested reference for learning how to use this (couldn’t find any V-Ray for Dummies)? I’m not stupid but some of the terminology and so forth in the manual is a bit over me 'ed. And I’m currently based in Mexico and there are no training classes for either Max or V-Ray or any form of GI program for that matter. Any suggests appreciated.
olitech - you need help! 
But thanks for the laugh!
best, dsw
i would suggest learning everything you can about 3d. i teach my students all the building blocks about 3d rather than just teaching them the program. you i assume know already all about the basics of vertex, edge, poly, spline etc. now you should start learning the concept behind raytrace and why GI looks different to normal 3d renders blah blah blah
teaching 3d to your fellow citizens of barbados now are ya?
well actually its a class in digital post production. more or less a crash course in it.
And I’m currently based in Mexico and there are no training classes for either Max or V-Ray or any form of GI program for that matter.
You have a lot of tutorials available on the net especially for 3dsmax, and you have this beautiful forum with beautiful people for VRay 8)
About 458 000 results for “3dsmax + tutorials” on google
Let’s go !