Training DVDs
polycounter lvl 14
HI I wanted to buy some comercial training dvd courses but I don't know wich ones, I have tried some in the past and I wasn't really satisfied especially by the non in deep content explanation of tools and so on...
I won't name the things I have tried to not make bad publicity but I wanted to Ask you if you have tried any of those dvds like Gnomon , Eat 3d etc , how you found them and if you would suggest them to learn ....
The fields I am interested in are :
Games related all
Environment , assets, characters , texturing and one about zbrush 4 learning from scratch
.... I hope to be no flamed for my generic questions heheh ... I am noob I know ...
I won't name the things I have tried to not make bad publicity but I wanted to Ask you if you have tried any of those dvds like Gnomon , Eat 3d etc , how you found them and if you would suggest them to learn ....
The fields I am interested in are :
Games related all
Environment , assets, characters , texturing and one about zbrush 4 learning from scratch
.... I hope to be no flamed for my generic questions heheh ... I am noob I know ...
Replies
We've purchased a few of the Eat3D DVD's for work and they've been great. The old Damaged Pillar really didn't break any new ground for me personally but it would be extremely helpful for someone just starting out. The newer fountain tutorials that covers pretty much the same aspect but with zbrush (and maybe mudbox also? I forget).
We've also picked up a few Gnomon DVD's and they've been helpful to people and in general they're regarded pretty highly, but can tend to venture into VFX and not really get to specific for games. Which as the line blurs more and more it doesn't matter too much.
3D Motive has some good 3dsmax/UDK tutorials.
http://www.3dmotive.com/index.php?a=maxAnchor#videoGrid
so you sugest the fountains tuts by eat 3d ? They can go also for a newbie? it states also mudbox and zbrush both of them .... or should I start with old damaged pillar?
Had a look at the Eat 3d ones as well which seem pretty good
Digital Tutors will single handedly get you up to a very competent level with Maya or Max and their tutorial series are not only enjoyable (since you work on a project with a nice finished result, model etc) but extremely user friendly. The instructors are awesome and basically hold your hand through the entire process. Which for a beginner is important, none of this 2x speed or skipping bits (which can be great if you already know what you're doing).
The best thing about DT is that you can get a subscription and access their entire library, so you don't have to choose one DVD. They cover almost every CG related app imaginable and from beginner through to some fairly advanced stuff. There's also some game related kits too, the new one with the biker character looks pretty cool, going through base mesh creation > ZBrush > low poly / baking.
With regards to 'downloading' the DVD's, you used to be able to, but now they've moved to their streaming system, I think you get like credits or something with each subscription which you can then use to download some of the vids. IIRC it works out to something like one full training series per month subscribed.
As suggested above, the Eat3D Old Damaged Pillar and Next Gen Texturing Techniques really are the staple introductions to the current gen workflow.
www.digitaltutors.com
www.eat3d.com
I'd avoid Gnomon for now unless you're already quite well versed in the technical aspect of the subject in question. I love Gnomon DVD's for the fact they allow an insight into a professionals workflow, and techniques, but as instructional DVD's or 'tutorials' I don't think they're as friendly as those I mentioned. Then again, I don't think they're really designed to be step by step guides.
So, unless I am reading it wrong, that would be quite a few downloads of the dvds you'd require.
I think it's 1 credit per 'video' not 'DVD', so while not quite as good, it should still get you at least one DVD, or more depending on the length. Most kits have like 30 or so videos I think.