Digital Tutors - Next-Gen Game Pipeline Bundle

Learn the production workflow to next-gen game development and time-saving techniques for all stages of game development pipelines. Features low-poly modeling in Maya, sculpting and adding detail in ZBrush, texture painting in ZBrush, animation techniques in Maya, building real-time shaders, and deploying your game with Maya and XNA. Contains nearly 30 hours of project-based training for technical and creative artists. 

Software Requirement: Maya 2008 and up 
Learn critical modeling techniques and a production workflow to creating clean topology, working within polygon restrictions, and building from reference art. Contains over 5 hours of project-based training for artists learning the creative processes of modeling characters for next-generation games. 

Detailing Next-Gen Characters in ZBrush 

Software Requirement: Maya 2008 and up ZBrush 3.1 and up, Maya 2008 and up 
Learn a production workflow and time-saving techniques for creating high-resolution geometry for use in games, methods of sculpting, generating and applying maps, and adding character enhancements for appeal. Contains over 5 hours of project-based training for artists learning the creative processes of modeling and sculpting characters for next-generation games. 

Texturing Next-Gen Characters in ZBrush 

Software Requirement: Maya 2008 and up Maya 8.5 and up, ZBrush 3.1 and up, Photoshop 
Learn a production workflow and time-saving methods for creating game-ready textured characters, texture painting techniques, and adding character enhancements for appeal. Contains over 4 hours of project-based training for artists learning the creative processes of texturing characters for next-generation games. 

Real-Time Shaders with XNA 

Software Requirement: Maya 2008 and up XNA Game Studio 2.0 
Learn the fundamentals of real-time shaders and a time-saving workflow to creating real-time shaders with XNA. Contains over 4 hours of project-based training for technical artists learning the methods of real-time shading using XNA. 

Animating Next-Gen Characters in Maya 

Software Requirement: Maya 2008 and up Maya 8 and up* 
Learn a production workflow to game animation and time-saving methods for creating game-ready characters rigs, non-linear animation, and adding appeal. Contains over 6 hours of project-based training for artists learning character animation for next-generation games. 

* You may use Maya version 8.0 and up to follow along with the training. X-Ray Joints is the only feature that we discuss that is available in Maya version 2008 and up only. 

Pipeline Development with Maya and XNA 

Software Requirement: Maya 2008 and up XNA Game Studio 2.0, Maya 2008 and up 
Learn the fundamental workflow for next-gen game development and innovative techniques for seamlessly integrating Maya and XNA for game creation. Contains nearly 5 hours of project-based training for technical artists learning the methods of creating game content using XNA and Maya.

Digital Tutors: Creating Cartoon Character in Maya

Learn a production workflow to creating 3D cartoon characters, look development, and a multitude of time-saving techniques for modeling, UV layout, texturing, and shader assembly. Contains over 7.5 hours of project-based training for artists...

Digital Tutors: Cartoon Character Rigging in Maya

Learn a production workflow to creating advanced character rigs with an emphasis on toon, squash and stretch rigging techniques, and the principles of building solution-based rigs. Contains over 7 hours of project-based training for animators...

* Creating Squash and Stretch Spine
* Creating Stretchy Legs with On/Off Feature
* Globally Scaling a Squash and Stretch Rig
* Animator-Friendly Facial Setup
* Parent Scripts for Clean Controls
* Animatable Squash/Stretch GUI
* Multi-parent Control Objects
* Elbow and Knee Preservation Techniques
* Pinning Accessories to Bound Characters
* Object Pivot Manipulation
* Working with Expressions
* User-Friendly and Efficient Body Controls
* Rotation Order
* Gimbal Lock Prevention Assistant
* Enhanced Foot Bank Setup
* Enhanced Shoulder Concept
* Improved Finger Setup for Added Control

Photoshop for Videos: Tutorials 21-40 | 20 flv's | 448 MB
21 Configuring Photoshop CS2 Part 2
22 New Interface Overview
23 New Document Presets
24 Using Video Actions Part 1
25 Using Video Actions Part 2
26 Smart Objects&Smart Gudies Part 1
27 Smart Objects&Smart Gudies Part 2
28 Pixel Aspect Ratio&Video Previews
29 File Navigation with Bridge
30 New Enhancement Filters Part 1
31 New Enhancement Filters Part 2
32 Setting Preferences
33 Working With Document Presets
34 Camera Raw Interface
35 Sizing Images
36 Organizing Layers
37 Layer Comps in Action
38 Refine Edges Command
39 Effective Layer Masks
40 Perfect Alpha Channels Part 1

ViaCAD 2D/3D allows you to quickly toggle between 2D and 3D views. To help you get started, there are over 80 minutes of tutorial videos.

This installment of the Creative Inspirations series takes viewers into the life and home studio of one of the entertainment industry's most sought-after motion graphics designer. Rick Morris is a classically trained illustrator who successfully transitioned into the world of motion graphics. His highly expressive works have appeared as opening titles for films such as Mi Vida Loca, television programs like "Survivor," and commercials for Toyota, Kyocera, and Michelin. He's also designed the menu titles for the DVD of "The Sopranos." This installment of Creative Inspirations shows how Rick evolves his skills and applies them to moving images, how he continually develops his creative perspectives, and how he became a popular teacher at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and Otis College of Design in Los Angeles