3DMotive.com launches
A few days ago some of our members launched 3Dmotive.com, an online source for video tutorials. A few months in the making, gamedev and crew have set out to create a unique online video tutorial service. Already a few of their videos are online for FREE. FREE! (Enough to make any artists ears perk up, I'm sure).
What I saw
I'm a big fan of their setup, as the clear targets for their tutorials are in plain sight; Max, Photoshop and UDK with Maya soon to come. I jumped through some of the Max tutorials myself and found them to be articulated well and presented nicely. I noticed a few workflow habits that the author had that I had questioned as it was a bit cumbersome. This was, however, before I realized I was watching a tutorial for beginners and that this is why perhaps, things were moving inside of Max at a slower pace.
One thing I did appreciate was the unique approaches to problem solving as seen in the Rubble Pile tutorial, which uses Reactor to achieve the pile. I always thought hand placing was the way to go ('ya, hardcore!') but clearly there are faster (and lets face it, more fun) methods. While I'm on the topic of unique approaches, their obscure topics for a video tutorial site are actually refreshing to see. 'Creating a 2nd UV channel for a lightmap." Seriously, they have a tutorial for this and its awesome.
[caption id="attachment_855" align="alignright" width="209" caption="Reactor, you so crazy."]
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Looking forward
Seeing what I saw, I am more interested now in their approach to other software thats unlike whats already on their site. Specifically ZBrush and Mudbox. With ZBrush especially being an application that can be daunting to learn at first, nailing a tutorial in that regard could be a homerun for the team at 3DMotive. I wonder what other topics they'll be covering.
And finally (this is our blog, after all)
I was hesitent at first about writing this brief 'review' of their new site. I really enjoyed what I watched and I didn't want it to come off as an ad for a service some of our members have created disguised as a review. The truth is, 3Dmotive was created by some long time members of the Polycount Community and I was personally interested in what they managed to cook up. I was more than thrilled to see it come off as professional and interesting as it did and thats why I ultimately made this post. And this is why we'll always support our members and their endeavours. There's a ton of creative folks here and seeing something so 'extra curricular' to our professions as game artists like this is becoming less and less surprising. We love to see it.
So if you ever have something cooking up that you'd like for us to check out and write about, please, contact us. We'd love to see what you're working on!
As well, if you're in to 'that Facebook thing', join them on Facebook for more news & promo codes on future videos. If you're interested in picking up any of the videos they're running a promo code good for 30% off through Wednesday night (01/07/2010). Just use the code 'theinnercircle' at checkout!
You can also shoot them an email with any issues or feedback at support[AT]3dmotive.com
Replies
The site and tutorials looks awesome, love the sci-fi corridor plate thingy!
I guess i'll check out that reactor tut
You're going to see a lot more of the mid priced videos from us as well. 30-45 min videos covering a specific topic for $15. Again, we hope if someone wants to learn how to do x they'll prefer to watch a succinct video on it over watching a much longer one.
Cheers,
Tyler
-Mike