Free Training Material from Lost Pencil

[NewsHottie]

Forum: CG News
Posted By: lostpencil
Post Time: 06-04-2008 at 03:15 PM
Text:

Hi Folks,

I have a number of training video tutorials I have created in the past (11 DVDs worth) that deal with everything from modeling, to scripting to character animation using Maya, Max and Lightwave.

I’m going to slowly make this material available for download for free via YouTube. Some of the training is a bit dated (older versions of software), and some things I would now do differently (having more experience with character animation and the tools), but I think there is enough useful information in the training that it can still merit a download or two.

You can find the "Just Animate - Wheels" training set already uploaded (8 parts):

http://www.youtube.com/LostPencilAnimation

The video can be a bit blurry when it comes to viewing the expression in the expression editor (due to YouTube compression), so I have made the source files available so you can follow along: http://www.lostpencil.com/temp/wheel_source.zip (~470kb)

Here, in a nutshell, are the videos that I will be releasing:





Just Animate - Wheels! (Maya)

How do you make wheels turn automatically? What are expressions in Maya? Over 55 minutes of training covering everything from basic math principles to application of those principles to a real problem.

Just Animate - Games! (Lightwave)

Using Lightwave 7.5, we create a number of game loops (walk, run, jump, stand and death) and exports the Lightwave model and animations into the GameStudio game engine.


Using GameStudio we create a small game level that contains a lit, textured environment and an interactive door which opens when triggered by the player. The character, controlled by the player, will pick up and carry a gun, shoot bullets, attack and be attacked by evil Jack Napalm clones, walk, run, jump, stand around and die if his health points reach zero.

Just Animate - Walk Cycles (Lightwave)

Using Lightwave 7.5 we create a basic walk from scratch and then modify that walk three times in order to show how variations can quickly be created.

Just Animate - Walk Cycles for 3ds Max

Using 3ds Max 5.0 we create a basic walk from scratch and then modify that walk four times in order to show how variations can quickly be created.

Just Animate - Facial Expressions and Body Language (Lightwave)

Using Lightwave we create multiple facial morph targets, and an animation of a character getting surprised, then angry, and then sad in order to show how facial expressions and body language work together to create effective character animation.

Just Animate - Lip Sync (Lightwave)

Using Lightwave we spend 40 minutes on lip synching a character.

Model&Rig in a Day (Lightwave)

Using Lightwave 7.5, we show how to quickly create a simple character model, a female biped. Then we rig the character using a predefined skeleton template and an automated script (ACS3). Then we show in detail how to use vertex paint to modify and tweak the weight maps in order to create effective mesh deformations.

Just Animate - Workflow (Maya)

The focus of this training is to establish an animation workflow that will enable you to quickly and effectively create character animation.

Using this workflow we will create a character jumping around in surprise. The basic workflow we cover consists of:

• using live action video for reference,
• creating our thumbnails from our reference,
• blocking poses of our animation using stepped keys,
• converting the stepped keys into spline keys,
• tweaking the splines to get better inbetweens,
• adding polish to finalize our animation.

Maya 7.0 is used to create the animation and to show the workflow, but Maya is not required. This training can easily be adapted for use with any 3d tool.

Animator’s Gym (General, with Maya specifics)

The Animator's Gym teaches the fundamental principles of character animation. It doesn't stop there; we know that it is often best to teach by example. A good portion of our training DVD also walks through a one minute animation and talks about what was done to make it look the way it looks. What decisions were made, why they were made, what techniques were used and much more. It is like being with the animator as he animates. It contains approximately 4 hours of video training material.

Special Project - SuperJet (Lightwave)

Training material covers

• Modeling
• Texturing and Surfacing
• Lighting and Animating
• Particle Effects
• Hard Body Dynamics

using Lightwave [8]+. Starting with a sketch we transform it into a 3d model. We then animate the jet as it flies and avoids an obstacle. After it avoids the obstacle it loses power and crashes into the ground.

You follow along watching almost every step of the creative process. You see mistakes and the processes to correct them.

Special Project - SpineBot (Lightwave)

Training material covers

• modeling subdivision surfaces
• rigging using Lightwave bones and IK
• texturing and lighting

using Lightwave [8.0]+.

Here it is, a biped rigging tutorial using Lightwave bones. Starting from a side view sketch of our character we build the character using Lightwave's subdivision surfaces. Then we create a skelegon structure in Modeler and load it into Layout. Here we add and modify this skeletal structure to make a functioning rig which includes a complete foot rig for proper animation.

Special Project - Colliding Galaxies (Maya)

Training material covers

• Particle emitters and fields
• Particle Hardware and Software Rendering
• Particle Creation and Runtime Expressions
• Mel User Interface Creation
• Compositing (using After Effects 5.5)

using Maya 6.0+.

So you want to speed up time and see what would happen to two galaxies when they collide? Or you just want to learn about Maya particles and how to write expressions and create a cool User Interface? Then these training videos are perfect for you!

Create multiple particle emitters and control each particle's birth and life using your own dynamic engine you build using Maya's Expression language. Learn some basic physics and math as you work your way through understanding Maya's particles.

Render your galaxies using the Hardware render buffer and additionally create a shader network for a software render. Composite these different layers using After Effects 5.5 (or your favorite compositing application) to create stunning visuals and motion graphics.

3D Apprenticeship - Max (Model, rig, texture, animate horse)

Training material for

• Modeling
• UV Mapping and Texturing,
• Rigging and Weight Mapping
• Lighting and Animating

a horse using 3ds Max 6.0+.

Starting with a cube we transform it into a high spirited galloping horse. You follow along watching every step of the creative process. No step is omitted. You see mistakes and the processes to correct them. Among other features we use the following tools in the production process:

• edit mesh modifier
• symmetry modifier
• skin modifier
• bones
• IK/FK
• UV editor
• morph angle deformer
• poly mesh modifier
• meshsmooth modifier
• light tracer
• curve editor
• dope sheet
• material editor

3D Apprenticeship - Maya (Model, rig, texture, animate elephant)

Video training for

• Modeling
• UV Mapping and Texturing,
• Rigging and Weight Mapping
• Lighting and Animating

an Elephant using Maya 4.5+

Hope you find it useful!

More...