BestGFX

In this DVD, Laurent shares his techniques for detailing and refining the model he started in "Creature Modeling for Production". Using 3ds Max, Deep UV and ZBrush, Laurent demonstrates the pipeline he uses every day at Blur Studio to add final details to a high-poly model based on a Carlos Huante design. He discusses how to achieve clean UVs with Deep UV, and how he adjusts volume proportions in ZBrush. He also shows how to create alpha maps in Photoshop and use them in ZBrush to easily add surface details such as veins, bumps and other skin textures. Finally, Laurent shows how to export normal maps from ZBrush using the ZMapper plug-in and how to use the normal maps and cavity maps in Max for a sample render with Brazil.

In this DVD, after setting up various production lighting rigs, Tim discusses the pros and cons of each solution. You will learn when to use one type of rig over another based on the goals of the project, as well as how to deal with the challenges that different scene elements create for your lighting setups. Tim will also show you how to render passes out of 3ds Max, composite them using Digital Fusion and set up your lighting in real-time using floating point image formats. Finally, you will learn how to set up a scene for multiple lighting scenarios including day, sunset and night shots.

In this DVD, Tim Dobbert walks you through the steps involved in a typical production-level matchmove, also known as camera tracking. In order to integrate CG elements with live-action footage, the essential first step is to align the 3D camera with the real-world camera. Tim demonstrates how matchmoving software uses photogrammetry to reproduce the camera-move and how to get the best results possible. The DVD covers all aspects of the matchmoving pipeline from 2D tracking and calibration, right through to placing the camera in an environment and delivering the final scene. The lecture also emphasizes how to troubleshoot the tracking solution when things don't go well and how to choose the best workflow for the shot. Tim uses a variety of software packages for this lecture including Maya, Boujou, MatchMover and After Effects.

In this DVD, Chris Stoski demonstrates his techniques for creating a complex matte painting. He illustrates how a matte artist utilizes 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, photographic reference materials and digital painting to complete a beautiful and efficient matte painting. Throughout the lecture he describes his techniques and relates his experiences designing shots for feature films and executing them as final matte paintings. From painting and image manipulation in Adobe Photoshop to 3D particle-system waterfalls and animated vegetation blowing in the wind, this DVD offers a complete spectrum of knowledge for the beginner to intermediate matte painter.

In this DVD, watch BARONTiERi as he demonstrates the different steps behind the creation of two iconic characters using both Adobe Photoshop and Autodesk Maya . He will then show how to successfully use your imagination under realistic production constraints. BARONTiERi reveals the latest digital art techniques, ideas and original processes used by the creative members of STEAMBOT Studios. He breaks down the foundations of an efficient character design pipeline for concept artists of the video game and visual effects industries, while demonstrating the importance of teamwork, and focusing on research, development and problem-solving issues. This lecture covers professional tips, speedpainting, basic 3D modeling and environment/mechanical design.

Do your photographs reflect the fullest expression of your creative vision? In this special look at artistic post-production, we follow award-winning photographer Doug Landreth as he shows you how to infuse your photos with complex textures and rich patinas. Create imagery that expands and expresses your photography as a collage of colors and patterns. Doug's digitally-assembled images are saturated and painterly in tone and process, and reveal memorable results that are often as haunting as they are beautiful. Doug’s award-winning photographic style and digital secrets will be the focus of this special Live Online workshop.

Training films from film concept designer James Clyne in English. He worked for the movie Galaxy Quest, The Polar Express, Minority Report, Charlotte's Web, X-Men 3, War of the Worlds, The Fountain, Transformers, Jim Cameron's Avatar, Star Trek (JJ Abrams) and live action Akira. Uses Adobe Photoshop.

Turorial about V-Ray post production in Photoshop with full videos and all files included.

This course, taught by Matt Leonard, is going to be slightly different from our other Maya offerings because we’re going to be working alongside a new and very exciting project called ‘Moving Day’. This short film is being directed by award wining director Jason Wingrove. ‘Moving Day’ tells the story of a young girl and her fight against the fairies who inhabit the garden of her new home. Our short film is literally being produced throughout the term and we’ll have first hand experience of working in post during a live project.

In a sea of XSI training materials, only one brand rises above to cater to real world problems in a production environment. cmiVFX created this new ICE video to fill a void in the Softimage | XSI training vertical market. While doing so, we sought the help of ICE Master, Thiago Costa, who is currently dealing with ICE on several projects in a professional production pipeline. This very exciting release is a must have for any and all XSI users and should be the primary tool for anyone migrating from other procedural based FX software packages. When it comes to high end CG and VFX training, there is only once choice... cmiVFX

cmiVFX launches its latest training endeavor showcasing the ever popular Mocha Pro application from Imagineer Systems. We have been in communication with Imagineer for many years trying to produce a well formatted, much needed training solution for their fantastic line of products. When we saw that Mocha Pro had all the tools in one location, we knew it was time for us to start the training franchise for this line of tools.

Instructor: Ian Joyner
In this DVD, Ian shows you the tools and techniques he uses to quickly create a full character model in 3ds Max, leading you through the basic character production pipeline used at Blur Studio. He takes you through the process of building clean geometry using Max's built-in toolset as well as using the PolyBoost plugin. Ian shows how to easily enhance objects with ZBrush, and how to quickly find the form and detail of your character. From there he demonstrates how to bring the geometry back into Max to make it animation friendly by retopologizing.

In this DVD, Kevin guides the more advanced modeler through the steps of laying out UVs on more complicated organic objects, where no single simple projection will work. Kevin provides a clear approach to breaking down objects into pieces that can be laid out and reassembled. Starting with a dollhead model, Kevin covers how to combine different projections and use the Relax and Unfold tools to get the desired results. He then discusses UV layout solutions for clothing and more complicated objects like a horse skull. Kevin then shows how to utilize his favorite tool, UVLayout by Headus, which can really speed up your workflow by automating the process of cutting up the model and projecting onto it, while maintaining a consistent scale. Finally, Kevin explains why in production it may be necessary to have multiple UV sets and what the specific requirements are for programs like ZBrush and BodyPaint. Intended as an advanced tutorial on production UV layout techniques, Kevin's many years of expertise inform this clear and "holistic" approach to modeling and UV work.

This book focuses solely on the various Photoshop features that are used on a daily basis in print design and production.

In this lecture, Matt Hartle will lead you through the steps necessary to produce a finished visual effects shot from conception to the final composited rendering. Along the way we will examine modeling, texturing, animation, lighting and rendering using Mental Ray. We will then composite the rendered layers in After Effects, using a 3D composition with a camera exported from Maya. By bringing in the camera from Maya we will be able to integrate photographed elements with our rendered elements to create a final composite. Render layers from our Maya scene will include beauty, ambient occlusion, particles, ground fog and color alpha among others.

BEHIND THE SCENES (BTS) is an exciting DVD series developed to showcase the creation of a game cinematic sequence. In this chapter of the series Jared Simeth demonstrates the creation of two matte paintings.
Starting with concept paintings provided by BTS Art Director Mark Goerner, Jared goes through the process of creating simple 3D geometry and matching the camera in Maya. In Photoshop® he executes both a pan and tile style 2D matte painting, and one to be used with a 3D camera move. He covers techniques for keying, creating custom brushes and working with Photoshop’s perspective tools. In Maya, Jared shows how to project the painting onto the 3D geometry in preparation for the final camera move. The viewer will also see production meetings in which both the concept and execution are discussed and critiqued.

Adobe Photoshop is the preferred, industry-standard software for photo manipulation and graphics creation, but using it effectively for projects in production is key. With the release of CS5, Photoshop now offers a variety of new tools and functionality enhancing any workflow, and in this DVD, you will learn the professional methods for compositing, digital painting, photo retouching, design and more. Almost eight hours of exclusive content covering industry tips and techniques such as selection, color-correction, HDR and video are included. Dave begins with in-depth overviews of the most commonly used tools in production, and then applies them to real-world projects. This content is suited to both the novice and expert Photoshop user and will teach you the necessary skills for today's "generalist" or 2D/3D production artist. Instructor for this title: Dave Pasciuto