Hasta La Motion!

cmiVFX Releases Luxology Modo Automotive Visualization Training Video
High Definition Training Videos for the Visual Effects Industry

Princeton, NJ (March 31, 2011) – cmiVFX launches its latest training endeavor showcasing the ever popular Modo application from Luxology. Modo was first introduced as a modeling application but soon, its developers, introduced new features to produce high quality imagery. This training will show you how to use Modo for creating automotive imagery in several situations.From this video you will get access to several techniques to properly light your model in a studio environment and integrate it with a photo backplate.
This training isn’t an introduction to Luxology’s Modo, so having a general knowledge about the software is advisable. This video was made possible with the support of two key companies , HDRI-Locations and Evermotion.org. HDRI-Locations kindly provided us the HDR maps used to teach the lessons and Evermotion.org provided us the Camaro model used to teach the techniques included in this video.

This training cover professional visualization techniques used on the day to day life of an automotive artist and product designers everywhere.

Here at cmiVFX we maintain a current training library for the latest versions of popular software titles. When it comes to high end CG and VFX training, there is only once choice… cmiVFX!

Don’t forget about the cmiSubscription plan! Get one today. cmiVFX launched the most affordable subscription plan in Visual FX Training History for only $299 USD, and if you were a subscriber, this New Training Release would already be in your account. This video is also available a-la-cart in our brand new HTML5 player system.

Modo Automotive Visualization
http://store.cmivfx.com/tutorials/vi…+Visualization

Introduction
In this part of the video, you will be introduced to the 3 different projects that you’ll be producing and what assets were used within the training, particularly the car model and the HDRI + Backplates pack. There will be a brief description of how to install scripts, the Gamma 2.2 workflow and how to map useful commands to hot keys in order to speed up your work.

Mesh Considerations
Modo can import several file formats. Choosing the right one, considering the situation, is very important to get you the right results. The three file formats that will be discussed are OBJ, FBX and Collada. Each one operates differently depending on the situations and will be tested with our geometry. Sometimes, moving data through different packages might generate unclean geometry, requiring minor fixing would be necessary for getting good results. Since the imported model is very detailed, having some degree of complexity, proper organization is paramount for the rigging process. You’ll learn how to rig this model using the new Schematic View in order to better pose your model.

Studio 01 Setup, Clay Rendering
A studio environment is very fast to setup in Modo. You’ll learn how to achieve this quickly to correctly visualize your model with a simple light rig. you will also go through creating material presets for later reuse and how to render several types of clay shots to showcase the model geometry through the help of a simple composite in After Effects.

Studio 02 Setup, Photo-realistic Rendering
In this chapter, you’ll learn how to take advantage of the Render Tree to modify the previous environment, maintaining its essence and updating the light rig. You will go through creating new material presets for later reuse and to properly use reflectors to illuminate and enhance the look of your model. (Very similar to a live photography set) Many Render Outputs will be later compositing in After Effects.

Using HDRI and Back-plates
In this chapter you’ll learn how to integrate your model with a photo backplate, using an HDR image for lighting and nice reflections to help achieve this effect. You will need several Render Outputs to enhance in the final After Effects Compositing stage.

About The Author
Paulo Barrelas is an Architect and a CG artist, living and working in Portugal. His passion for Architecture and Computer Graphics started at a very young age, being divided between the two since then. His contact with several arts started very early, culminating during the university frequency, providing him the sensibility to help solidify his concepts. Paulo has been teaching and adapting to new technologies since the year 2000.

Project Contents
All cmiVFX videos come with all the training materials you can need right from our website. No matter what time of day, your location, or how your feeling, cmiVFX will be there waiting for you! Due to agreements with Evermotion.org and HDRI-Locations, the model and HDR maps won`t be included in the title. They are only used to teach the techniques.
You can access other models available for purchase at http://www.evermotion.org and other HDR maps at http://www.hdri-locations.com/

This video is available today at the cmiVFX Store: http://store.cmivfx.com/

About cmiVFX
cmiVFX is the leader in High Definition Video Training for the Visual Effects Community. Register for FREE and receive hours of FREE content at the cmiVFX Video-on-Demand Player. ( http://store.cmivfx.com/login ) For additional information about cmiVFX, visit http://www.cmivfx.com. © 2010 cmiVFX | cmiStudios. All rights reserved.

cmiVFX Releases SideFX Houdini Hip Tricks Volume One and Two
High Definition Training Videos for the Visual Effects Industry

Princeton, NJ (March 28, 2011) – cmiVFX launches its latest training for the SideFX Houdini premiere digital visual effects animation software package. Why build one kick ass VFX video when two is twice as nice! We have never been more fired up to release a training video in the history of this company. Everything you wanted to know, delivered fast and furious through our ground breaking, ever evolving web based delivery player system. In these two videos, you’ll learn how to make production ready user friendly tools that will captivate your audience time and time again. Since Houdini is way more than just a 3D application, you will see it from a framework point of view. You`ll understand how you can solve any kind of situation you might encounter, using the tools in ways they were never dreamed to perform in that way. As a testament of the power and flexibility of Houdini, we’ll try to keep it simple and understandable by encapsulating some very interesting areas of Houdini. When you’re done with this set, you’ll have several tools to use, and have lots of ideas of how approach and develop your own tools. To call it Magic, is a true understatement. How can you put a guarantee on perfection?

Here at cmiVFX we maintain a current training library for the latest versions of popular software titles. When it comes to high end CG and VFX training, there is only once choice… cmiVFX!

Don’t forget about the cmiSubscription plan! Get one today. cmiVFX launched the most affordable subscription plan in Visual FX Training History for only $299 USD, and if you were a subscriber, this New Training Release would already be in your account. This video is also available a-la-cart in our brand new HTML5 player system.

Brief Introduction
Welcome to the highly anticipate "HIP Tricks" video set, created by CMIVFX and Varomix. A partnership like no other, this joint venture shows the true comradery that is a true CG pipeline. There is a reason that cmiVFX stands alone in the high end market…. IT’S NOT EASY TO DO! However true, we take pride in our sadistic need to provide the latest and greatest training in our industry so that digital entertainers can tell their story. We will work with ANYONE that has something fantastic to offer… wether it is a student half way around the world, or another training company that wants to work with us on a video title. We will always pull together with the right people to make the best training the world has to offer. Expect great things… ALWAYS!

||||||||||||||||||||| Houdini HIP Tricks Volume 1 ||||||||||||||||||||||
http://store.cmivfx.com/tutorials/vi…ricks+Volume+1

A Hip Autopsy
In this first volume you will learn how to dissect any Houdini Hip scene, and figure out how that scene is put together. This is great for exploring sample scenes, other artists scenes to assist you in the creation of your own. We will also go over some tips to make your projects more solid and show you were you can get help from the great Houdini Artist Community.

Feather Tool
For this chapter set we will build a hero feather system used for close-up shots. This tool will give the artist total control using Houdini’s ramp widgets so that it makes for a great user experience. In the process we’ll learn how to map ramp parameters to control parameters of our tool.

Earthquake and Fischer Cracks.
In this section we will create a multi-purpose ground cracking tool, putting special attention on making it easily modifiable, and in realtime. The art of making it solid and getting predictable result, doesn’t mean that its simple. The final result is a very high end production ready tool that can be used in many scenarios. This chapter alone is work the price of the entire volume set.

||||||||||||||||||||| Houdini HIP Tricks Volume 2 ||||||||||||||||||||||
http://store.cmivfx.com/tutorials/vi…ricks+Volume+2

Row Row Row Your Boat
Using Houdini Ocean Tools plug-in (HOT), we’ll create and ocean that emits foam and splashes. We then we’ll add a ship that floats on the ocean in which the movement of the ship will be driven by the ocean. Once we do that, we’ll use the floating, moving ship to deform the ocean as it advances and emits spray at collisions with the waves.

Pixelated Game
Believe it or not, we’ll will build a complete playable game inside Houdini, using out-of-the-box tools and a little bit of Python code. This project is a real statement that Houdini can do just about everything that you can throw at it. Don’t think of Houdini as a 3D app, think of it as a 3D Operating System.

Alvaro Castañeda
Alvaro Castañeda, best known as "Varomix" is a 33 years old CG Generalist TD. He lost a little of his self back in 1993 at a Jurassic Park screening, and that totally changed his life. Toy Story finished the job in 1995 – there was no turning back!. He started his way in 3D back in 1998, first using 3ds Max, then Cinema4D and finally in 1999, I met Maya 2.0. Since then I’ve done CGI for print, web, TV, Film, DVD, I guess anything that has pixels in it!. He started using Houdini in 2002 shortly after Side Effects launched the Houdini Apprentice Program. He had also done on-set VFX Supervision and DOP Assisting. He’ll soon move to Toronto to continue his career as a Houdini Generalist.

Project Contents
All cmiVFX videos come with all the training materials you can need right from our website. No matter what time of day, your location, or how your feeling, cmiVFX will be there waiting for you!

This video is available today at the cmiVFX Store: http://store.cmivfx.com/

About cmiVFX
cmiVFX is the leader in High Definition Video Training for the Visual Effects Community. Register for FREE and receive hours of FREE content at the cmiVFX Video-on-Demand Player. ( http://store.cmivfx.com/login ) For additional information about cmiVFX, visit http://www.cmivfx.com. © 2010 cmiVFX | cmiStudios. All rights reserved.

Hi, I’m currently studying Computer Games Development at Abertay University, working as an artist hoping to specialise as an environment artist.

Currently I’m doing some research for a module (Professional Specialisation) and looking into how I can differentiate myself from other applicants and was wondering if there was anyone with experience in the industry that could give me some advice.

My undergraduate degree was in Interior Architecture so I was looking to use this as my starting point. As that goes here are some questions I have been asking.

1. Is it possible to specialise in purely creating interior spaces or are environment artists expected to work on all aspects of the gaming environment?

2. What is the true value of architectural knowledge when it comes to games?

3. With games becoming more advanced and the environments more believable is there any scope for someone to be employed to design the spaces in an architectural manner or is it still very much the level designers job to block out the spaces and then tell the environment artists to make it look like an airport/church, etc?

4. Primarily I imagine an architectural knowledge will be extremely useful in the concept design/research stage but is it something which could have weighting all through out the development cycle.

thank you for taking the time to have a look at this for me.

Matt

We’re looking for a skilled AE motion graphics guru to join our team. We have 2 creative high profile gigs in the workshop that require more hands. You will be working under our lead artist, producing daily graphics for broadcast.

We’re looking for someone we can grow with. Someone whose a comfortable fit to our team. We work hard and have a good time doing it. Potential long hours and late dinners with the team.

This is a full time gig, invest in us and we will invest in you.
Please submit a link to your online portfolio only.

Experience in Nuke and 3D software is a major plus!

Thank you.

***Send all responses to: russell@wearewendel.com with the subject "Motion Graphics Artist"***

Here is a collection of works from the last couple of years. Would appreciate any comments or critiques.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s9zLlpfsN8

Sorry for the duplicate threads, the first one had the message deleted.