Rob Redman discovers whether Gnomon’s latest training course offers anything to Mari artists

PRICE: $79

FEATURES

• DVD-ROM or digital download
• 333 minutes

DEVELOPER: The Gnomon Workshop

Painting Realistic skin in Mari 2.0 is a title that slightly undersells what the course has to offer. If all it did for the price was showing you how to press the right buttons and get the logistics right, it would be a good deal, but this course has so much more to it.

It is obvious from the outset that the author knows his stuff, and he has a very watchable presentation style. The course covers everything you need to know about painting skin, including gathering high-quality references and grading photography for best results, as well as looking closely at each area needed, from displacement to sub-surface scattering.

The skills you will pick up from watching are a great benefit, but what is more valuable is that you will understand why you are doing what you have learned to do. This means you can apply all that new knowledge to any project, not just a clone of the one in the course.

UV unwrapping still scares many artists but this video, which guides you through the use of UV Unwrap, shows which tools you need. What is particularly good is that, unlike so many other tutorials I’ve seen, this one isn’t just a video of the user interface manual.

It is this approach and the way it is presented that makes this one of the highest-quality CG courses I have ever seen. You learn how to do everything, but more importantly you learn why, and it is this transferable knowledge that is invaluable to you as an artist.

If you are looking to learn how to paint realistic skin, not just in Mari, then you can’t get better training than this

RATING 5

Rob Redman is a 3D artist and trainer, and is 3D World’s technical editor

Discover the 30 best 3D movies of 2013 at our sister site, Creative Bloq.

Rob Redman delves into Ben Simonds’ asset creation-focused guide to Blender

PRICE: Book/ebook bundle: $50, Ebook: $40

FEATURES

• 288 pages
• Book includes DVD
• Ebook supplied as EPUB, MOBI and PDF

PUBLISHER: No Starch Press

In an age of ever-increasing numbers of online training guides and videos, sometimes it’s great to just pick up a book. Its publisher describes Blender Master Class as “a hands-on guide to modelling, sculpting, materials and rendering”. It walks you neatly through these areas with decent instruction spread over three practical projects. If you’re new to Blender, or 3D in general, you might possibly be overwhelmed by content such as animation and game engines. The book’s focused approach makes it useful and easy to read.

Each topic is clearly explained, and the projects used to help build practical experience are varied and complement each other well. I particularly like the fact that both hard-surface and organic models are included, alongside natural environments, to give some depth to the training. This gives newcomers to Blender a thorough understanding of the software, starting with a look at the interface.

The pace of the training eases readers into the software gently, and while it does pick up speed, it never overwhelms you, even though a good amount of fundamental understanding is being imparted. The use of three projects in each chapter works well: books split into project-based sections can mean that the less favoured projects stay unread.

Ben Simonds has a strong grasp of his subject, and his relaxed approach makes this one of the better training resources for any new Blender artist.

While it ignores certain aspects of Blender, this book provides exactly what it aims to in a clear and concise manner

RATING 3

Rob Redman is a 3D artist and trainer, and is 3D World’s technical editor

Discover 10 amazing examples of experimental design at our sister site, Creative Bloq.

Rob Redman investigates whether Ballistic’s highly focused volume can still appeal to a wide range of artists

PRICE: $75

OTHER EDITIONS: Limited edition, $170

MAIN FEATURES

• Softcover
• 192 pages

PUBLISHER: Ballistic Publishing

Ballistic Publishing is well known for its compilations of digital art, aimed mostly at fans of fantasy and science fiction. (Concept art for games is also well covered.)

The d’artiste series stays true to this tradition, but with a slightly different format. Instead of a large collection, this series builds upon the work of select artists, with their own collections as the meat of the book. This is followed closely by their training sections, where they offer tutorials on their chosen working methods.

The tutorials aren’t step-by-step walkthroughs, but the training is informative and easy to follow, and most importantly, useful to artists of all levels. Within the scope of fashion design, the training is varied and covers a range of techniques, which will all be adaptable to most artists. There are also galleries of other artists’ work, chosen by the authors. It remains focused on fashion design, but offers a good range of genres, with great inspiration for costume designers, be it for games characters, art, or for set/stage.

The quality of the art is very high, as is expected of Ballistic Publishing. As each of the previous volumes in the series has shown, the publisher manages to blend a quality coffee table art book with excellent content in a way that appeals to casual readers as much as artists looking for advice and inspiration. Fashion Design continues in this manner, with the focused approach working well.

A wide range of styles and techniques with quality content, but the high price and narrow focus could limit readership

RATING 4

Rob Redman is a 3D artist and trainer., and is 3D World’s technical editor

Discover 10 amazing examples of experimental design at our sister site, Creative Bloq.

Rob Redman delves into cmiVFX’s latest training course to see whether he can learn anything new about Cinema 4D

PRICE: $60

MAIN FEATURES:

• Learn to model using deformers as aids
• Complete modelling project
• Master hard-surface modelling

MANUFACTURER: cmiVFX

miVFX has a long history as a producer of high-end training for visual effects artists. It has worked with a number of experts in different fields to provide truly valuable courses that aim to give the benefit of real-world project experience to viewers. Cinema 4D Everything Volume 2 is the second course covering Maxon’s 3D software.

Some training courses work by taking the viewer through the software’s toolset, generally starting with a look at the interface and then going on to cover all the tools and their applications. This is a project-based course and, as different people have different learning styles, you’ll need to decide if that’s right for you before you purchase.

The idea behind the course is to show you how to use the modelling toolset. The blurb on www.cmivfx.com points towards the deformer toolset, but don’t let that put you off. You’ll learn some of the more standard methods of modelling as well, and the combination of different methods is welcome.

Some 3D projects can seem daunting at first, with complex objects leaving you wondering how to begin. The host of this course, Pavel Zoch, breaks everything down into manageable chunks. He teaches in a friendly fashion and this is a well-paced course, but you may need to use the pause button now and then. This is an issue with video training in general, though, and this course handles timing and pacing reasonably well.

Modelling techniques

As mentioned, Zoch uses these videos to teach modelling in Cinema 4D, using the deformers as helpers – a method that’s commonly overlooked but can be very powerful. Using a child’s plywood bike as the focus is a good choice: you may not want or need to model one yourself, but it does give you a real reason to learn the tools in a structured and logical way.

At no point are you left wondering why a particular method was used. There are nearly always different ways to achieve the same results, but Zoch’s choices are clear and reasoned. You may prefer a different approach, but there’s no harm in learning a few alternatives.

The only downside to such a specific workfl ow is that it restricts your thinking, and you may find it hard to imagine a tool’s use in other situations. It’s a good way to stay focused, however, and does work well. I found myself remembering models I’d made in the past and trying to figure out if I could have been more efficient using deformers (even though I already use them regularly).

Some of the tools demonstrated in the course are only available in the latest version of Cinema 4D – R14 – so if you’re using an older version you won’t get the full benefit of Zoch’s knowledge.

Zoch has a clear presenting manner and, while he does have a strong accent, you shouldn’t have much trouble understanding any part of the video. That said, he moves through the modelling process at a speed that assumes some prior knowledge of Cinema 4D, so I’d recommend this course more for experienced users, otherwise you may be reaching for your video controls more often than you’d expect.

If you’re familiar with the basic tools and workfl ows in Cinema 4D, you’ll probably learn some key new techniques and tips from this course.

PROS

• Expert tutor
• Less common methods and tools explained

CONS

• Language barrier
• Overly specific

An excellent but perhaps slightly too focused training course for intermediate and professional Cinema 4D users

RATING: 4

About the author
Rob Redman is a 3D artist and trainer with over a decade of experience using Cinema 4D, among others

 Discover what’s next for Augmented Reality over at Creative Bloq.

3D artist Rob Redman creates detailed and complex environments using tricks and tips from this Gnomon training course

PRICE: $69

MAIN FEATURES:

• Available as a digital download or DVD
• 171 minutes

PUBLISHER: The Gnomon Workshop

The Gnomon Workshop’s training, although usually of a very high standard, can sometimes be overly clinical and technical. Environment Sculpting with David Lesperance takes a deep and thorough look at how to create highly detailed assets for 3D environments, but bucks the trend of being overly technical due to the host’s enthusiasm for his subject.

Lesperance is a long-established artist who knows his trade and loves it. His passion for his subject underpins the course, and makes what could be repetitive and time-consuming work a pleasure.

The course covers everything from the basic workflow of getting meshes in and out of ZBrush to some of the tools that can make an environmental artist’s life easier. DynaMesh and the noise-generating tools are thoroughly demonstrated, as are many other aspects of ZBrush. Starting off with rocks and vines, the course progresses to techniques for detailing man-made artefacts and vegetation with realistic organic variations – vital to believable scenes.

Lesperance takes a good look at rendering out images and compositing for the highest quality presentations, including using Photoshop for masking and adding skies, colour balance and final grading. He looks at adding lens aberrations back in and explains how they can help the image ‘sell’.

It’s nice to see an approach that covers different programs in order to get the best from each, and encourages improvement as an artist. As David Lesperance says, that’s the best way to grow.

This is a deep and broad training course on environment creation, taught with passion by a master of his craft

RATING: 4

About the author
Rob Redman is a 3D artist and trainer with over 10 years of experience

Discover 20 inspiring examples of landscape design over at Creative Bloq.

3D artist Rob Redman looks at Gnomon’s cinematic lighting training course to see what he can learn

PRICE: $49

MAIN FEATURES

• Available as a download or DVD
• 126 minutes

PUBLISHER: The Gnomon Workshop

The Gnomon Workshop has a steadily expanding collection of video training and it can be easy to be overwhelmed by the volume of titles and authors. Luckily, its website is easy to navigate and you can define your searches in a number of ways. Looking at environments I found Jeremy Vickery’s Efficient Cinematic Lighting. Vickery is a lighting artist at Pixar, so his skill is indisputable – as is his passion, which is evident throughout.

A large portion of the course is given over to discussing some of the theory of lighting, explaining how light works in the real world. Vickery explains light in a thorough breakdown, but also spends time talking about how you can use this theory in a 3D project, to set tone and spark emotional responses from your viewers.

The artist uses Maya to kick off the practical side of the course and then moves to V-Ray. While you may not be a V-Ray user, the information is still very usable and Vickery explains the reasoning and logic behind the choices he makes, so adapting the information to your preferred software is pretty simple. A camera and how light falls within its field of view is the same no matter what you use. This is the joy of the course. For me, it felt irrelevant that Vickery was using a particular application. His knowledge of lighting in a real, practical way was both impressive and inspiring. At points you find yourself wanting to switch off the video, but only to fire up your 3D app and try something out. When that happens you know the money was well spent.

Inspiring and highly informative content by Pixar lighting artist Jeremy Vickery, delivered in a captivating lecture

RATING 4

About the author
Rob Redman has a long history as a 3D artist, and is 3D World’s technical editor

 Discover 20 great examples of print in 3D, over at Creative Bloq.

Learn to create immersive and captivating worlds with a veteran of videogame design

The Gnomon Workshop’s Environment Sculpting DVD and download provides an in-depth look at the workflow that Blizzard veteran David Lesperance uses to design environments – an often-overlooked part of the games and visual effects pipeline.

With 170 minutes of training, it covers the basic concepts of asset building including kit bashing, grid space modelling, basic UVs and asset cleanliness. Lesperance also focuses on lighting setups using V-Ray. He discusses lighting and rendering in V-Ray, covering HDRI and physical camera setups plus efficient render settings.

Gnomon Workshop’s Environment Sculpting addresses an often-overlooked part of the games and VFX pipeline

You’ll also find time-saving tips and tricks that Lesperance uses in his day-today workflows for 3ds Max, ZBrush and Photoshop. “I’m a huge fan of learning,” says Lesperance, “and I believe that 3D is supposed to be fun and exciting.”

PUBLISHER: The Gnomon Workshop
PRICE: $69
MORE ONLINE: thegnomonworkshop.com/store/product/975

Find Photoshop tips and the best 3D movies over at our sister site, Creative Bloq.

Learn the secrets of great lighting with reduced rendering overheads from a Pixar lighting specialist

Years of lighting Pixar productions including Brave, Cars and Ratatouille have helped Jeremy Vickery develop an approach to lighting that reduces rendering overheads while performing all the mood and compositional roles you’d expect. He shares his techniques in this new Gnomon Workshop title, available as a DVD, download, or via subscription.

Vickery uses a lecture-based format to cover topics including the behaviour of light (with concise explanations of specularity and diffusion), camera composition and framing. He also dissects several of his own project files, including interiors and exteriors, to reveal the practical steps he takes to put his principles into practice.

Efficient Cinematic Lighting also includes a couple of Maya scene files for further study, although the ideas in the video can be applied to any 3D software.

PUBLISHER: The Gnomon Workshop
PRICE: $49
MORE ONLINE: thegnomonworkshop.com/store/product/981

Title: Digital Environment Painting
Publisher: The Gnomon Workshop
Price: $59

Overview:
Three hours of basic training in the art of digital environment painting, by Raphael Lacoste

System requirements:

• Mac OS X 10.2 or higher
• Windows Vista/2000/XP
• DVD-ROM Drive
• 1,280×1,024 monitor

This training DVD for the Gnomon Workshop puts art director Raphael Lacoste’s expertise in creating photorealistic environments to full use. Having spent his career in the games and cinematic industry - including working on titles such as Prince of Persia and Assasin’s Creed – Lacoste has extensive technical knowledge and experience in digital environment painting.

Digital Environment Painting starts with Lacoste discussing traditional illustration and basic drawing skills before moving onto more of the technical aspects of digital images. The art director champions traditional methods, making the viewer aware that mastering fundamental skills, such as composition and use of colour palettes, are key to creating a successful image. The opening provides a good amount of information for artists when thinking about the mood of an image, including the importance of contrast and atmospheric depth.

Lacoste uses the combined tools of 3ds Max and Photoshop to create the detailed image but it should be noted that the training does not include instructions on how to import files between the two, how to create the 3D elements in 3ds Max or how to create custom brushes in Photoshop. Users must be familiar with basic functions and tools in both programs to follow the training. As the DVD states, this tutorial is purely to share techniques that will help create a well constructed digital image.

The videos also touch upon the more technically challenging aspects of digital images such as lighting, selecting and integrating areas of multiple different stills and colour correction.

Lacoste is clear in his instructions and provides a good amount of technical detail during his lessons. This training provides a good basic guide for artists that want to improve their skills in digital matte painting but you must have prior experience with the chosen software. While the topics do not go into every aspect in minute detail, Lacoste provides enough basic and technical information in each area for the training to be followed comfortably. And with just over three hours worth of video for just $59, you can’t argue with the price.

Check out more training from the Gnomon Workshop on its website

Now check out this great selection of free Photoshop brushes at our sister site Creative Bloq.

Title: Learning 3DS Max 2012 training DVD
Publisher: Infinite Skills
Price: £63.99

Overview:
15 hours of video training for beginner to intermediate 3ds Max users, by Brian Mennenoh.

System requirements:

• Mac OS: 10.2 or higher
• Windows 7/Vista/2000
• DVD ROM drive
• 1024 * 768 monitor

Moving from one application to another or taking your first steps in 3D can be a daunting and confusing experience and trying to understand the jargon, as well as navigate unfamiliar user interfaces is a challenge.

This has led to the inevitable plethora of books, courses and training videos all claiming to offer a quick route to becoming an expert in your chosen software.

Unfortunately most of the time this just isn’t true, or at least isn’t without some prior experience or knowledge to get you started. However, what ths DVD offers genuinely does teach you the tools you will need to become proficient in Max 2012.

It starts you off gently, introducing you to the interface and tool names with enough detail to make it useful but not so much that it is hard to retain what you are learning.

The course starts simply, with basic modelling and introduction to workflow and organising your files. This aspect of 3D work is often left uncovered but really is important to forming useful habits for real world working.

As you progress through the course Brian introduces new tools and delves into various aspects of the software, delivering succinctly and understandably. He has an informative style of teaching, without overwhelming.

The course is presented in a nice clean interafce, with a custom video player, allowing easy navigation. Structurally the videos build upon each other and by the time you have finished you will have a sound understaning of modelling objects, texturing them, rigging and animating them. On top of this you will learn how to set up particle systems and understand more about lights and cameras, even learniing to match a background plate.

This kind of information could easily be (and often is) a separate product in it’s own right and it is refreshing to see such a range of topics all under one roof.

Buying training from various sources is fine but a course like this relates each topic to the others, reinforcing what you have already learned and showing how that knowledge can be used for practical projects.

Also included is a disc with all the scene files and assets, enabling you to jump in at any point and pick up the course from that subject onward. Great if you are a confident modeller buy want to follow along with texturing for example.

To sum up this is a good value course, which is well constructed and presented. At under sixty five pounds you can’t argue with the price, which gives you access to the DVD and an instant digital download.