few questions about unity3d from a total newbie - long post >.>

well, i've been googling and searching the forums for the past 20 hours, just randomly reading stuff in different sections. i have to say im extremely impressed, there are some really big shots and actually nice developers / artist that really motivate me to actually think that i can do it.

so i have few questions,

how much did it take for you to actually master unity3d , or lets say, confident enough in making a game and did you do it alone? i mean did you have to learn how to create models? rig + animate them? do you have a partner artist? or a freelancer?

how long you think i would take to finish these 2 major projects .

the first one is shooting people with arrows , there will be different kinds of people walking, like 5 or 4 lines coming and going in horizontal directions although they might have to appear and attack the screen at some point, their outfit colors should be changed randomly a long with the shape .there will be a shop. for cash points, you can buy different kind of bows/arrows different scenarios , elements and distractions will be added to the stages. im sure the game is pretty normal one, the idea is probably available everywhere , shooting some targets, but the story line and plot might make it a bit interesting and of course, the graphics.

the second one , is more kind of taking a picture of a person, and putting him in a special situation/scenario and need him to work accordingly to solve a puzzle, the only thing is, i dont know how im gonna be able to crop a picture like the game Goon Boxing and use it in the game. but i'll figure it out somehow... someday :P

both projects will be in 2d and being planned to be released on iphone / ipad

the problems im sure that im gonna face in the 1st project will be hard in terms of random appearance on screen,shape and outfit shifting. and the 2nd project will be hard to figure out how to take off that picture and crop it and then put it on the body

now, what are my skills, ive worked with different programming languages in the past java / c++ / vb/vb.net , i can't say im an expert, but u surely know how to program i did few database programs for work but i doubt that has to do anything with gaming projects. i have a very little experience in 3d max "work sent me to do some classes" , sadly i dont find myself modeling anything other than naked women, shame on me! :P i'd rather work with programming since im good with physics/math.

i have zero experience in unity3d , but im so amazed on how easy it is to make a game , i was trying to make games in java "shrugs" not fun, not fun at all....

anyways. there you go. based on what you read, how long you think it would take me to actually finish those 2 projects? are there are any good steps? points that i should have in mind? or tutorials i should go for?

im planning to use twintornados on youtube as my 1st tutorial, then i might take a look at http://www.burgzergarcade.com/hack-s...ngine-tutorial

should i get an asset like ex2D? or easyMotion2D? is it better to just get an artist as a partner? or just a free lancer? should i start looking before actually starting the project? or after im done with it? how hard it is to get a designer? will it be easy just to learn how to draw?

thank you for actually spending some time to read my long boring post, feel free to answer =) "try to keep the flaming as minimal as possible" :P sorry i can't discuss the details of the story lines / weapon types / people and characters stuff for now.i just wanna give myself a realistic time limit.

i hope i'll be getting some good advice. thanks in advance.

ps. ignore the grammar mistakes. i know these are lots of stupid questions. but i am googling and searching for answers. i'd appreciate the help. thanks