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. After the model is finished, Ian covers how to set up hair using Hair FX as well as how to set up lights, cameras and a simple rig using Biped to pose and render the character. Finally, using Adobe Photoshop®, Ian discusses how to present the character in a professional manner. This DVD is intended for artists with a basic under- standing of polygon modeling in Max, but is useful to anyone regardless of skill level or software. In this DVD Ian uses: Max, PolyBoost, ZBrush, BodyPaint and Photoshop®.

Max Modeling tools
Using PolyBoost Tools
Poly by Poly Modeling
Detailing in ZBRush
Retopologizing Hi-res Objects
Building Props
Setting Up Lighting/Camera Rig

Basic Brazil Techniques
Hair FX Set up
Basic BodyPaint and Material Editing
Rigging for a Pose

01: Setting up a Template Character
02: Basic Light Rig/Blocking in Character, Part 1
03: Basic Light Rig/Blocking in Character, Part 2
04: Detailing Simple Objects and Retopologizing
05: Detailing the Character, Part 1
06: Using Paint Overs to Shape Your Characters
07: Detailing the Character, Part 2
08: Hair, Setting a Style with HairFX
09: Rigging Using Biped, Part 1
10: Rigging Using Biped, Part 2
11: Final Renders

In this DVD, Tim takes you through the entire process of creating an environment with 3ds Max starting with the analysis of reference photographs and determining real world object dimensions, all the way through the 3D modeling and texturing pipeline. Tim will teach you how to spot the visual cues that will allow you to quickly and accurately determine dimensions from set photographs. You will also learn how to build quick layout files for modeling and animation and how to model and texture an entire environment from photographic reference. Many artistic and technical challenges are addressed such as understanding perspective, modeling architecture, tile roofs, stone pathways as well as decay and general destruction.

Over 2 1/2 hours of lecture.

Product Code: TJO01

In this lecture on the subject of Global Illumination lighting techniques, Christopher Nichols discusses the subject of exterior lighting. This DVD covers a general introduction to the principles of Global Illumination, which are essential to the understanding of this specialized form of lighting. While the series primarily uses V-Ray as the render engine in a 3ds Max environment, those using other GI renderers will also benefit from the conceptual techniques described. From the general concepts of reflected specular and diffuse light, to sky lights and image based lighting with HDRIs, Christopher shows how to light scenes using real world lighting in a fully reflective environment. He also demonstrates how to tackle the issues of animation by finding the most optimal way to bake lighting for exterior sets. This series is geared toward the CG artist that already has an intermediate understanding of direct lighting and is making the transition to GI lighting.

Over 3 hours of lecture.

Product Code: CNI01

01: It Is All About Reflection
02: Methods of Producing Diffuse Scatter
03: Environment Light
04: Image Based Lighting
05: Lighting an Exterior Scene
06: Changing the Mood
07: The Problem with Animation
08: Animation for Large Scenes

Christopher Nichols received a Bachelors in Mathematics and Fine Arts from Colgate University. He went on to get a Masters of Architecture from Rice University, where as a lecturer he taught the principles of architectural visualization and animation. After a long career in architecture, Christopher entered the world of feature film visual effects, specializing in color and lighting. Having spent several years at Digital Domain, Christopher has credits on such movies as The Day After Tomorrow, I, Robot, and Stealth. He is now a Senior Lighting Technical Director at Sony Pictures Imageworks.