T0874 - Digital Tutors - ZBrush and XSI Integration

Software: Zbrush 2.0, XSI 5 Foundation (or better)
Run Time: 5 hrs. 58 min., 2 discs

Learn how to integrate ZBrush and XSI into your workflow. Contains nearly 6 hours of project-based training. Ideal for intermediate users.

Popular highlights include:

* Polygon Modeling
* Projection Master
* Morph Targets
* UV Mapping Techniques
* Advanced Geometry Tools
* Rendering with mental ray
* Geometry Sculpting
* Displacement maps
* Cavity Maps
* Normal Maps
* Brushes

T0873 - Digital Tutors - Introduction to XSI 6

Easily learn the entire process of Modeling, Texturing, Lighting, Animation, and Rendering with XSI. Contains over 7 hours of project-based training and updated for version 6. Perfect for beginner to intermediate artists.
Popular highlights include:
??? Setting Up Rotoscopes
??? Working with Different Surface Meshes
??? Polygon Modeling Techniques
??? Extruding Faces & Edges
??? Extracting Geometry
??? Assigning Materials & Textures
??? Working with Texture Layer Editor
??? Creating & Modifying UVs with Texture Projections
??? Utilizing Deformers
??? Parenting Objects into Animation-friendly Hierarchy
??? Optimizing Workflow with Keying Panel
??? Automatic Movement with Path Animation
??? Setting and Modifying Keyframes with Animation Editor
??? Understanding the Material Manager
??? Efficiently UV Mapping
??? Exploring Various Light and Shadow Types
??? Applying Rendering Techniques
??? Developing Shader Networks in Render Tree
??? Creating Smoke Effects with Particles
Lesson Outline:

Essentials
1. Introduction and project overview 1:56
2. Going through the important first step of setting up a project in XSI 2:43
3. Controlling and customizing the XSI camera 6:53
4. Using Display Modes in XSI 5:39
5. Using XSI's Transform Menu 6:06
6. Using the advanced features of the Transform Menu 7:49
7. Adjusting object's center points 5:55
8. Selecting and manipulating an object's Components 9:44
9. Working with materials in XSI 11:22
10. Parenting and hierarchies in XSI 6:57
11. Using and customizing the XSI Shelf 4:10
12. Exploring XSI's snapping functionality 3:29
13. Using Range and Loop selections 4:35
14. Using the XSI Operator Stack 7:07
15. UV Layout in XSI 11:25
16. Using the Render Region tool 6:07
17. Using XSI's layer controls 4:29

Modeling
1. Setting up Rotoscopes in XSI 5:25
2. Blocking in the main body of the snowmobile 6:10
3. Smoothing and creasing the main body 9:36
4. Understanding core principles of smoothing geometry 4:59
5. Creating the exhaust pipes for the snowmobile 9:16
6. Finalizing and mirroring the exhaust pipes 10:47
7. Getting started on the tread covers 9:28
8. Completing the tread covers 5:36
9. Adding the ribs to the tread covers 10:57
10. Modeling the tank treads (part 1) 9:23
11. Modeling the tank treads (part 2) 9:29
12. Creating the inner wheels for the tank treads 6:36
13. Creating the lug nuts for the tank tread's wheels 8:08
14. Duplicating and mirroring the tanks treads to the opposite side of the snowmobile 10:27
15. Blocking in the shape of the snowmobile's nose 7:15
16. Adding to the rough shape of the snowmobile's nose 9:35
17. Refining and detailing the snowmobile's nose (part 1) 12:32
18. Refining and detailing the snowmobile's nose (part 2) 5:45
19. Building and shaping the windshield for the snowmobile 5:44
20. Building the ski for the front of the snowmobile 7:30
21. Building the first support structures for the ski 9:24
22. Modeling the front ski's shocks 9:43
23. Building the ski's connecting structures 3:58
24. Creating the handle bars and grips for the snowmobile 12:28
25. Building the snowmobile's seat cushion 7:35
26. Finalizing the modeling process of the snowmobile's body 6:41

Texturing
1. Various ways of assigning and sharing materials in XSI 8:35
2. Overview of material's reflective properties 6:35
3. Overview of material's transparency properties 5:04
4. Laying out the UV's for the tank treads 6:05
5. Applying a custom texture to the tank treads 10:13
6. Using a bump map to add depth to the tank treads 6:12
7. Using the Render Tree to create a color-shifting paint job 6:09
8. Assigning a headlight texture to the snowmobile 5:13
9. Adding glow to the snowmobile's taillights 4:41
10. Exploring XSI's various light types (part 1) 9:17
11. Exploring XSI's various light types (part 2) 2:01
12. Overview of the various shadow types in XSI 10:12

Animation
1. Setting up the parental hierarchy for the snowmobile 9:04
2. Using the Parameter Connection Editor to create Linked Keys 4:46
3. Setting and manipulating keyframes in XSI 8:35
4. Using the Animation Editor to adjust keyframes 4:55
5. Creating an animation path in XSI 4:24
6. Using XSI's particles to create smoke for the exhaust pipes 11:00
7. Setting the options for your final rendered sequence 11:17
Total Run Time: 7:35:11

T0872 - Digital Tutors - Introduction to XSI, 2nd Edition

Easily learn Modeling, Texturing, UV Mapping, Animation and Rendering in XSI. Contains over 6.5 hours of project-based training. Perfect for beginner to intermediate artists.

Easily learn Modeling, Texturing, UV Mapping, Animation and Rendering
in XSI. Contains over 6.5 hours of project-based training. Perfect for
beginner to intermediate artists.

Popular highlights include:

* view full-size image Polygon Modeling
* Extruding Faces
* Extruding Edges
* Merging Polygons
* Rotoscopes
* UV Layout
* Textures
* Texture Layer Editor
* Materials
* Parenting
* Cycle Curves
* Animation Editor
* Path Animation
* Keyframing
* Smoke Effects with Particles
* Render Tree
* Shader Networks
* mental ray
* Keying Panel
* Environment Setup
* Operator Stack

T0812 - 3DTutorial - Get Moving Character Animation tutorial for XSI

3DTutorial - Get Moving Character Animation tutorial for XSI

6-hours of self-paced, project based training for the BEGINNING to INTERMEDIATE level XSI Character Animation enthusiast.

For the intermediate level XSI Character Animation enthusiast or anyone interested in just learning more about animating using SOFTIMAGE|XSI. This new tutorial is approximately 6 (SIX) HOURS long, and consists of a self-paced project based training course comprised of 11 modules and 64 video lectures. The purpose of this series is to introduce you to essential character animation concepts within SOFTIMAGE|XSI and will show you ways that the default XSI rigs and tools can be used to create outstanding animated output.

T0799- Noesis Interactive - Custom Props & Animation For Source

Noesis Interactive - Custom Props & Animation For Source
Custom Props & Animation for Source™ Powered Games, part of the Noesis Interactive MOD Your World™ training series, allows you to further “Activate Your World”. You’ll learn the basics of 3D animation in SOFTIMAGE®|XSI®, build an animation library and create dynamic props that can be walked on, picked up, broken apart and brought to life within Source powered games.
If you’re getting an error that says “Macromedia Projector” crashed and the DVD interface will not continue, please follow these steps to ensure your playback.
1). Open the “QuickTime Player Preferences” by either right clicking the “QuickTime” Q icon in the lower right hand corner, windows taskbar, selecting “QuickTime Player Preferences”.
2). Navigate to the “Browser Tab” and click the button labeled “MIME Settings…” then clicking the button labeled “Use Defaults” and hitting “Ok”.
3).Navigate to the “Advanced” tab in the QuickTime Player Preferences and under the heading “Video” click the bubble labeled “Safe Mode (GDI only)” as well as checking the box that says “Enable Playback of Adobe Flash tracks” (Note: The “Adobe Flash Tracks” check box should only be available in QuickTime versions 7.0.0 and above).
After successfully following those steps, your Noesis product should play as it was intended to.

QuickTime versions 7.0.0 and above).
After successfully following those steps, your Noesis product should play as it was intended to.

T0784 - NOESIS - Character Design & Integration with Half-Life2 XSI4

Character Design & Integration with Half-Life®2, part two of the Noesis Interactive™, MOD Your World™ training series, teaches how to “Share Your Character” by focusing on creating and implementing your own characters within Half-Life®2 Deathmatch™. Using custom templates, you’ll begin by quickly transforming ordinary facial photos to deathmatch in no time. Then, learn the extensive character creation tools of SOFTIMAGE|XSI. Demystify rigging, weighting and learn how to prepare your models to be exported to various game engines. And finally, learn how to test, perfect, and export your 3D characters from SOFTIMAGE|XSI into Half-Life®2 Deathmatch

T0764 - Digital Tutors - Introduction to Modeling in XSI

Software: XSI 4 or higher (XSI 6.5 required for project files)
Run Time: 4 hrs. 25 min., 2 discs
Availability: Ships next business day
Digital -Tutors Introduction to Modeling in XSI

Easily learn time-saving modeling techniques, modeling tools overview, and a proven workflow to modeling in XSI. Contains over 4 hours of project-based training. Great for new and beginning artists.

Popular highlights include:

* Overview of Modeling Tools in XSI
* Overview of Geometry Types
* Polygon Modeling Workflow
* Using Rotoscopes as Modeling Reference
* Optimizing Geometry
* Mirroring Geometry
* Working with Curves, Surfaces, and Trims
* Lofting Curves to Create Geometry
* Adding Edge Resolution
* Scene Organization Techniques
* Principles of Creating Clean Topology
* Creating Custom Toolbars and Shelves
* Edge-loop Selections
* Strategically Adding Resolution
* Removing Resolution
* Merging Multiple Pieces of Geometry
* Lofting Surfaces
* Bridging and Welding Components
* Splitting Parallel Edge-loops
* Re-routing Geometry Flow
* Generating Symmetrical Geometry
* Reusing and Re-purposing Geometry
* Modeling with Deformers
* Extruding Geometry Along Curves
* Edge Creasing
* Naming and Organizing Assets
* Interactively Adding Edges Around Objects
* Building High-res Geometry with Low-res Cages

Lesson Outline:

1. Overview of polygon mesh geometry in XSI 8:32
2. Overview of surface mesh geometry 5:28
3. Adding rotoscopes to the XSI viewports 3:54
4. Creating and optimizing polygon geometry 7:43
5. Adding detail to geometry with the bevel tool 7:48
6. Using the add edge tool to split polygon components 7:30
7. Extruding polygons to create a serrated saw blade 8:00
8. Using lattices to quickly re-shape geometry 8:08
9. Using the knife tool to split polygons quickly 8:47
10. Building a Phillips-head screwdriver with the revolve function 16:47
11. Duplicating and re-purposing geometry for efficient modeling 12:22
12. Utilizing scene layers to keep your scene organized 8:49
13. Using the four sided command to create a knife blade 8:49
14. Bridging and welding polygon edges 12:45
15. Trimming and lofting geometry to create the knife's keychain connector 14:29
16. Extruding geometry along curves to create a corkscrew 14:02
17. Using edge creasing to quickly create sharp edges 12:50
18. Working with curves to create the magnifying glass casing 8:32
19. Using the add/edit polygon tool to create new geometry 7:28
20. Utilizing several tools and techniques to create the can opener 12:34
21. Additional techniques for re-purposing geometry (part 1) 7:24
22. Additional techniques for re-purposing geometry (part 2) 15:37
23. Extruding the thumbnail indentions into the various blades 5:08
24. Parenting objects and cleaning up your scene 9:58
25. Adjusting geometry on various layers to assemble final knife 6:21
26. Utilizing deformers as a modeling aid 9:57
27. Extruding multiple components to create the keychain loop 10:22
28. Bonus Lesson: Using custom shelves and toolbars to store commonly used tools 4:35
Total Run Time: 4:24:39

T0545 - XSI PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS AND TIPS - 7 CDs

What's Inside:
XSI - Production Solutions and Tips by Bernard Lebel is a 12 hour and 50 minute project focused,
video based, self-paced multimedia training series aimed at the beginning to intermediate level
Softimage XSI user.
This is a 7 part instructional desktop digital video series that takes an in-depth look at the
topics of Shading, Lighting, Rendering and Compositing, all using Softimage XSI and mental ray.

This tutorial series doesn’t just tell you what to do, it shows you using 3dtutorial.com’s unique
and innovative multimedia desktop video player technology. No codecs to worry about,
no nasty dll’s to clog up your computer. Just run our application and watch the video movies on
your desktop, it’s simple.

For these lessons, Mr. Lebel has designed and modelled an intricate photorealistic bathroom scene
(also included) and will take you step-by-step through the production process.

In section 1 & 2, shading, you will learn shader theory and definitions, how to find and apply shaders,
how to create shaders (materials & textures) for many of the objects found within the bathroom scene.
You will learn how to create and manage materials such as: chrome, generic metal, plastic, glass,
porcelain, paper, cork, tile, melamine, wood, light bulbs, etc. You will be introduced to and learn
how to use XSI’s many powerful features such as property pages, proxy parameters, and the render tree.
Bump mapping and procedural textures are also discussed in depth.

In section 3 & 4, lighting, you will learn about traditional lighting theory, using point, infinite and
spotlights. Shadow theory, using raytraced shadows, shadow maps and area lights. You will be introduced
to 3 point lighting and learn to use key lights, fill lights and back lights. You will introduced to
soft lighting effects using source light multiplicity. Also discussed is faking area lights, using
separate specular and diffuse, negative lights, inclusive/exclusive lights, shadow cards, darkness
reduction lights, shadow only lights and much, much more.

In section 5, Mr. Lebel will show you step-by-step how to light the bathroom scene for both daylight
and night time realism. You will be introduced to global illumination (radiosity) theory and practice.
You will learn how to set-up and use final gathering both with and without global illumination, and
much more such as skydomes, final gathering plates and HDRI.

In section 6, rendering, you will learn how to properly render images with XSI using Mental Ray.
This section Mr. Lebel will discuss the rendering options available within XSI, single machine versus
network rendering, and how to optimise your renderings for speed and efficiency.

You will learn to create passes, partitions, overrides, etc.

In section 7, compositing & effects, you will learn exactly what compositing is and how to best make use
of it. You will be introduced to XSI powerful built-in compositor, the FX Tree.

Mr. Lebel will introduce you to FX tree workflow and operators and you will learn how to take all the
discreet elements that you’ve created within this series and combine them into a finished final
photorealistic image.

Lastly, you will be shown how to create several special effects such as glow, light scattering and fog
to add the extra level of realism to your images.

XSI Production Solutions and Tips is a “must have” training item for anyone who is serious about learning
to create photorealistic images using Softimage XSI.

Author: Bernard Lebel

T0410 - Digital Tutors - UV Layout in XSI

Save time and easily learn the fundamentals of UV layout in XSI with over 3 hours of project-based training. Perfect for beginner to intermediate artists using XSI.Includes a free trial of SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5 Foundation!

Popular highlights include:

• Overview of UVs in XSI


• Planar Mapping


• Cylindrical Mapping


• Spherical Mapping


• Unique UVs


• UV Projections


• Subprojections


• Adjusting UVs with Texture Editor


• Separating UVs


• Healing UVs


• Island Heal Tool


• Mirroring UV Islands


• Matching UVs


• Relaxing UV Islands


• Contour Stretch UV Projections


• Transferring UV Data


• UV Stamps

Lesson Outline:

1.	Introduction and project overview	2:15
2.	Getting Started with UVs in XSI	11:06
3.	Applying UV subprojections to your objects	7:55
4.	Working with Unique UVs in XSI	4:01
5.	Exploring common tools and functions in the Texture Editor	7:03
6.	Separating and Healing UVs	5:40
7.	Using the Island Heal tool	7:23
8.	Mirroring and Matching UVs in the Texture Editor	8:42
9.	Getting started on the UV Layout of the Rhinoceros	10:52
10.	Creating the subprojections for the Rhino's front legs	16:50
11.	Building the subprojections the Rhino's back legs	15:56
12.	Laying out the UVs for the Rhino's body	10:24
13.	Creating the UVs for the Rhino's head (part 1)	9:07
14.	Creating the UVs for the Rhino's head (part 2)	8:52
15.	Healing the UV Islands of the Rhinos head	14:05
16.	Cleaning and relaxing the UVs of the head	8:52
17.	Creating the UV subprojections for the Rhino's horns	14:05
18.	Looking at different methods for subprojecting the tail	8:52
19.	Using Contour Stretch UVs on the Rhino's ears	10:09
20.	Cleaning up any stray UVs in the Texture Editor	6:38
21.	Transferring UV information to another object	11:19
22.	Creating the UV Stamp	3:28
	Total Run Time:	3:16:32

T0408 - Digital Tutors - Rigging Quadrupeds in XSI

Learn time-saving quadruped rigging techniques and the principles of building solution-based rigs for more efficient animating in XSI. Contains over 8 hours of project-driven training. Perfect for intermediate artists.Popular highlights include:

• Building Rigs from Reference


• Broken Hierarchy Systems


• Custom Toolbar


• Character Key Sets


• Sub-Character Sets


• Constraints


• Constructing Proxy Cages


• Painting Weights


• Reverse Lock System


• Naming Conventions


• Limb Controls


• Expressions


• Custom and Proxy Parameters


• Mirroring Techniques


• Custom Control Spline Rigs


• XSI Spines for Vertebrae


• Cleaning up Control Objects


• Working with Groups


• Tail Rig


• Enveloping Techniques


• Deform Keys


• Rotation Order

Lesson Outline:

1.	Working with models and groups	10:21
2.	Creating a custom toolbar	10:06
3.	Studying a diagram of a horse skeleton, building the thoracic limb	9:06
4.	Repositioning chain elements / renaming objects	13:31
5.	Beginning the horse's phalangeal controls	12:27
6.	Adding pivot controls for the hoof	14:29
7.	Primary control for the thoracic limb	8:04
8.	Creating custom parameters for finger joints	10:36
9.	Controlling the finger joints with custom parameters	14:28
10.	Twist control for horse's elbow	5:42
11.	The shoulder control	12:55
12.	Mirroring rig elements	10:06
13.	Cleaning up mirrored objects	8:26
14.	Finishing both thoracic limbs	11:48
15.	Building the bones for the pelvic limb	7:52
16.	Renaming chain elements for the pelvic limb	5:59
17.	Creating toe controls	7:33
18.	Pivot controls for the toe	8:43
19.	Main control for the pelvic limb	7:04
20.	Expressions for toe controls	7:20
21.	Twist control for the knee	3:16
22.	Finalizing the left pelvic limb / mirroring controls	4:26
23.	Completing the right pelvic limb	10:05
24.	Starting on the vertebrae	5:16
25.	Using XSI spines for the vertebrae	11:50
26.	Connecting vertebrae to hip and chest objects	6:14
27.	Controls for the vertebrae / connecting limbs	6:25
28.	Finishing the controls for the spine	10:18
29.	Constructing the head, cervix and jaw bones	3:57
30.	Renaming chain elements / primary connections of the head and neck	6:01
31.	Creating the head and neck twist controls	7:46
32.	Custom parameters for the jaw	4:49
33.	Working on the ears	10:35
34.	Proxy parameters for the ears	11:23
35.	Neck control / adding broken hierarchy control to the rig	6:56
36.	Finishing the broken hierarchy control	7:32
37.	Starting on the tail / creating custom control splines	6:25
38.	Using Up Vectors to prevent flipping in tail	11:55
39.	Building controls for the tail	9:02
40.	Completing the tail	10:15
41.	Global rig control with scaling capabilities	11:43
42.	Cleaning up the rig	12:21
43.	Methods for creating a proxy cage	13:16
44.	Creating buttons to switch between a real and proxy horse	6:42
45.	Discussing rotation order	5:56
46.	Utilizing character key sets	15:19
47.	Enveloping the horse / adding envelope deformers	6:52
48.	Blocking envelope weights	8:11
49.	Working on the left pelvic limb	7:10
50.	Blending envelope weights	11:33
51.	Smoothing the thighs weights	9:24
52.	Techniques for painting weights on difficult areas	10:41
53.	Mirroring weights	8:30
54.	Bonus: Adding muscle bulges with deform keys	10:52
	Total Run Time:	8:09:32

T0407 - Digital Tutors - Rendering Techniques in XSI

Learn a unique workflow to rendering in XSI and compositing using the integrated FX Tree with over 2.5 hours of project-based training. Perfect for intermediate artists.Popular highlights include:

• Render Passes


• Custom Render Passes


• Compositing with FX Tree


• Post Effects with FX Tree


• Assigning and Modifying Materials


• Texture Creation in Photoshop


• Assigning Texture Coordinates


• Final Gather


• Image-based Lighting Techniques


• HDRI


• Rendering Multi-pass Sequences


• Depth-of-field Camera Effects


• Color Correction


• FX Tree Operator Properties


• Adding and Editing Operators


• Utilizing Masks and Garbage Mattes

* XSI Essentials and higher is recommended for several lessons. Please see the outline. Lesson Outline:

1.	Introduction and project overview	3:27
2.	Assigning and modifying the materials to the main body of the bus	8:11
3.	Sharing materials between multiple objects and assigning materials to the rest of the bus	6:54
4.	Creating Textures for the bus headlight in Photoshop and assigning textures in XSI	13:47
5.	Creating High Dynamic Range images in Photoshop for the surrounding environment	9:08
6.	Assigning textures and texture coordinates to the bus environment	9:09
7.	Modifying the bus body's reflectivity parameters and exploring blurred reflections in XSI	9:12
8.	Exploring the differences and similarities of the various light types available in XSI	12:56
9.	Faking blurred reflections in XSI for faster renders	10:33
10.	Exploring Final Gather techniques in XSI	11:27
11.	Using image-based lighting techniques in XSI to add realism to our final renders	10:27
12.	Exploring the process of setting up and modifying Render Passes	11:34
13.	Creating a custom Render Pass in XSI for Ambient Occlusion Effects	10:09
14.	Setting up render channels to output various render passes in XSI 6 (requires XSI 6 Essentials and higher)	11:41
15.	Using XSI's built-in FX Tree compositor to combine our separate render passes back into one complete image (requires XSI Essentials and higher)	13:37
16.	Using the FX Tree to add post effects such as depth-of-field and re-coloring (requires XSI Essentials and higher)	14:26
	Total Run Time:	2:46:45

T0406 - Digital Tutors - Rendering Interiors in XSI

Learn a time-saving workflow to rendering interior sets and production-tested mental ray techniques that can be used for Film, Games, and Architectural Visualizations.
Contains 4 hours of project-driven training. Ideal for intermediate artists.Popular highlights include:

• Emitting Photons from Light Sources


• Fine-tuning Global Illumination Results


• Smoothing Global Illumination Results with Final Gather


• Using Architectural Materials in XSI


• Overriding Photon Properties


• Adding Realism with Ambient Occlusion


• Utilizing Multi-bounce Final Gather as GI Alternative


• Outputting Images to 32-bit .EXR Format


• Modifying Geometry for Optimal Global Illumination


• Setting up Render Passes in XSI


• BSP Memory Optimization Techniques


• Using Custom XSI Shaders


• Compositing Rendered Passes in External App


• Adjusting Exposure Settings

Lesson Outline:

1.	Introduction and project overview	1:47
2.	Identifying key points to be aware of when approaching lighting in XSI	5:26
3.	Creating the primary light source for a daytime render	8:43
4.	Adding textures to the floor and creating an outside environment	10:24
5.	Creating a photon casting light and adding rough Global Illumination	13:39
6.	Adding glossy reflections to the floor and altering its photon interaction properties	8:44
7.	Adding Final Gather to the scene to smooth out the Global Illumination result	7:16
8.	Modifying the room's geometry in order to get a cleaner Global Illumination result (part 1)	10:56
9.	Modifying the room's geometry in order to get a cleaner Global Illumination result (part 2)	17:17
10.	Modifying the room's geometry in order to get a cleaner Global Illumination result (part 3)	11:00
11.	Assigning and adjusting the materials for the couch and chair	12:07
12.	Creating realistic glass and chrome materials for the coffee table	9:41
13.	Controlling how lights and photons interact with translucent surfaces	9:51
14.	Creating and adjusting the materials for various smaller objects in the living room	10:53
15.	Altering the room's geometry to extend the floor into the hallway	7:43
16.	Using BSP diagnostics to control the scene's render performance	12:57
17.	Fine-tuning the overall lighting in the scene	14:32
18.	Creating an ambient occlusion pass to enhance shadowed detail	10:52
19.	Using directional ambient occlusion to simulate more realistic soft shadows	13:16
20.	Using the Render Manager to set up final image output	9:40
21.	Using an external image editing application to make final adjustments to rendered frames	9:12
22.	Resetting your XSI scene in preparation for a nighttime light setup	7:19
23.	Setting up the lamp as the room's primary light source	5:04
24.	Adding primary and secondary final gather rays to simulate the effects of global illumination	16:37
	Total Run Time:	4:04:55

T0405 - Digital Tutors - Polygon and Sub-D Modeling in XSI

Easily learn the fundamentals of Polygon and Sub-D modeling in XSI. Contains over 3 hours of project-based training and time-saving techniques. Perfect for beginner and intermediate artists.Includes a free trial of SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5 Foundation!

Popular highlights include:

• Rotoscope Preparation


• Add Polygon Tool


• Symmetrizing Geometry


• Cleaning Geometry


• Extruding Faces


• Localized Subdivision


• Welding Points


• Merging Multiple Surfaces


• Subdivision Methods


• Edge Loop Splitting


• Collapsing Components


• Modeling According to Musculature


• Extracting Polygons


• Proportional Modeling


• Deformers


• Modeling Tools Overview

Lesson Outline:

1.	Introduction and project overview	1:42
2.	Exploring custom tool settings in XSI	3:53
3.	Preparing Rotoscope images in Photoshop	7:50
4.	Modeling the first piece of geometry for the main body	7:38
5.	Rough shaping of the body	7:15
6.	Refining the front shoulder area of the body	4:50
7.	Roughing in the shape of the front leg	9:26
8.	Refining the shape of the front leg	6:21
9.	Roughing in the shape of the back leg	6:00
10.	Connecting the back leg to the main body	4:18
11.	Refining the shape of the back leg	11:20
12.	Modeling the rhino's foot	10:45
13.	Creating the basic head shape	8:58
14.	Modeling the rhino's mouth	10:33
15.	Building the rhino's eye socket	6:02
16.	Constructing the other areas of the head	7:49
17.	Refining geometry of the rhino's head	6:44
18.	Building the nostrils on the face	6:10
19.	Creating the rhino's horns	7:18
20.	Detailing and refining the rhino's mouth	6:18
21.	Detailing and refining the eye structure	9:21
22.	Modeling the rhino's ears	8:53
23.	Subdividing the base mesh	6:33
24.	Building the rhino's toenails	9:33
25.	Extracting and repurposing geometry	3:45
26.	Using XSI's Deformers to create wrinkles and folds in the skin	11:44
27.	Using the Proportional Modeling tool in XSI	6:30
28.	Cleaning up and finalizing your scene	5:29
	Total Run Time:	3:23:13

T0404 - Digital Tutors - Particles and Forces in XSI

Easily learn the intuitive particle system within XSI with 3.5 hours of project-driven training. Ideal for beginner to intermediate users.Popular highlights include:

• All Forces in XSI


• Particle Clouds


• Emitters and Particle Types


• Particle Interactions with Obstacles


• Goals


• Events


• Render Tree


• VBScript


• Particle Simulations


• Snowflakes


• Fire


• Oil Slick


• Fireflies


• Sparks


• Eruptions and Blasts

"Digital Tutors has delivered the very first set of training tools for XSI v.5.0, covering two often complex topics in the software with straightforward and compelling instruction," said Jason "Chinny" Brynford Jones, XSI product manager for Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc. "Any 3D artist looking to gain a better understanding of dynamics and rendering will surely benefit from these titles." Lesson Outline:

1.	Introduction and project overview	1:28
2.	Using Toolbars with Particles Simulations	4:40
3.	Particle Simulations and Operators	5:36
4.	Emitters and Emissions (part 1)	5:41
5.	Emitters and Emissions (part 2)	7:26
6.	Ptypes Overview (part 1)	6:30
7.	Ptypes Overview (part 2)	9:51
8.	Instancing Particles	9:25
9.	Deforming Particles	5:59
10.	Interparticle Interaction	3:36
11.	Goals (or How to Make Heat Seeking Missiles)	11:36
12.	Using Events to create a particle reaction to specific circumstances, such as homing missiles striking UFOs	6:26
13.	Using the Render Tree with Particles	7:38
14.	Billboards	8:22
15.	Sprites as Imposters	5:26
16.	Particle Sparks	8:20
17.	Forces: Attractor	5:52
18.	Forces: Drag	5:21
19.	Forces: Eddy	6:39
20.	Forces: Fan	3:15
21.	Forces: Gravity	6:24
22.	Forces: Turbulence	6:59
23.	Forces: Vortex	3:01
24.	Forces: Wind	2:06
25.	More on Sprites: Creating a Falling Snowflake Simulation	7:08
26.	Driving Particles with Texture	5:32
27.	Painting Particle Emissions	7:05
28.	Sketching Particles	6:46
29.	Using the sketching particles technique to create a mini-project of shaving a man's face	7:00
30.	Using events and expressions to achieve complex, time-saving particle behaviors	11:11
31.	Using Fluids to rapidly create an oil slick	5:12
32.	Creating a flaming expulsion with Explosion Emitters	8:15
33.	The Volcano Project	15:24
	Total Run Time:	3:40:00

T0402 - Digital Tutors - Mental ray in XSI

Learn the fundamentals of mental ray and begin adding visual richness to your work with 3 hours of project-driven training. Ideal for beginner to intermediate users.Includes a free trial of SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5 Foundation!

Popular highlights include:

• Global Illumination


• Final Gathering


• Photon Emission


• Render Speed Optimization


• HDR Lighting


• Caustics


• Subsurface Scattering


• Realistic Skin Effects


• Cartoon-style Rendering


• Depth of Field


• Render Map


• Lighting and Shading Nodes


• Render Tree

Lesson Outline:

1.	Introduction and project overview	2:27
2.	Simulating indirect lighting and color bouncing with Global Illumination	11:07
3.	Final Gather (part 1): simulating highly realistic soft shadows and indirect lighting without having to cast photons into the scene	13:02
4.	Final Gather (part 2): looking at advanced options and techniques for saving render time	7:24
5.	Combining Global Illumination and Final Gather	5:57
6.	Image Based Lighting	11:46
7.	Using Caustics to simulate the way light refracts through transparent objects and casts a pattern of light onto the floor	15:40
8.	Using Environmental Shaders to create a very fast reflected environment, or as an alternative to the light dome when using .HDR images	5:52
9.	Using Ambient Occlusion Node, which can produce soft indirect shadows similar to Final Gather, but without the added render time	10:06
10.	Render Map (part 1): baking color, bump, and lighting information into a single image map	8:56
11.	Render Map (part 2): optimizing render map to work correctly with scenes that use Final Gather or Image Based Lighting	9:58
12.	Using Subsurface Scattering node	7:23
13.	Toon Rendering	13:49
14.	Using Depth of Field to add more realism and distance to the rendered images	7:10
15.	Using the Shader Wizard to build the necessary project files and templates for coding and integrating your own shaders	8:02
16.	Coding Your Own Shaders	8:37
	Total Run Time:	2:30:00

T0399 - Digital Tutors - Introduction to XSI Render Tree

Explore the Render Tree and gain control over the appearance of your objects in XSI with 2.5 hours of project-based training. Ideal for new and beginning users.Popular highlights include:

• Render Tree Overview


• Bump Map Generators


• Displacement Maps


• Texture Projections


• Mix Nodes


• Advanced Texture Placement


• Volumetric Effects with Light Shaders


• Layering Textures


• Ambient Occlusion Shader


• Material Editor

* XSI Essentials and higher is recommended for several lessons. Please see the outline. Lesson Outline:

1.	Introduction and project overview	1:08
2.	Navigating the Render Tree	4:35
3.	Adding new nodes and creating connections between them	5:33
4.	Surface Shaders (part 1): discussing parameters common to all surface shader types	11:31
5.	Surface Shaders (part 2): looking at unique features of each surface shader and their common uses	15:21
6.	Texture Supports and Projections (part 1)	5:30
7.	Texture Supports and Projections (part 2): using multiple texture supports on a single object	8:15
8.	Looking at Mix Nodes, which let you mix several images and shaders to create unique effects	4:44
9.	Exploring different methods for adjusting the texture placement	7:25
10.	Bump and Displacement Maps	12:38
11.	Using Weight Maps to control different operators and as color mixing controls	8:57
12.	Discussing several methods of assigning and sharing materials	11:38
13.	Stained-Glass Window (part 1): texturing the main wall	7:46
14.	Stained-Glass Window (part 2): adding color and bump maps to the bricks around the window	7:49
15.	Stained-Glass Window (part 3): texturing the stained-glass window (requires XSI Essentials and higher)	8:04
16.	Stained Glass Window (part 4): adding specialized nodes to individual lights and to the scene's render passes	8:30
17.	Stained Glass Window (part 5): creating light rays that pass through the colored parts of the window	9:01
18.	Stained Glass Window (part 6): using the Ambient Occlusion node	7:25
	Total Run Time:	2:22:00

T0398 - Digital Tutors - Introduction to XSI Hair

Learn to create, style, texture, render, and dynamically drive hair using XSI Hair. Contains over 3 hours of project-based training and a multitude of practical scenarios for learning XSI Hair. Perfect for artists learning XSI.Popular highlights include:

• Hair Overview


• Hair Styling


• Hair Based on Curves


• Growing and Scalping Techniques


• Brush and Cut Tools


• Scale, Puff and Stand Tools


• Popping Hairs and Attenuation


• Connect Maps


• Dynamic Setups


• Displacement Effects


• Simulating Hair Curves with Cloth


• Hair and Forces


• Alternative uses with Hair Instancing


• Transfer Hair

Lesson Outline:

1.	Introduction and project overview	0:53
2.	First look at XSI Hair	6:05
3.	Guide selection and manipulation	6:59
4.	Styling tools - scale rotate brush	9:18
5.	Styling tools - puff and clump	6:01
6.	Styling tools - cut, pop, and attenuate	9:05
7.	Styling tools - recomb and attenuate	10:56
8.	Growth techniques - scalp building	6:27
9.	Growth techniques - deeper partitions	5:36
10.	Styling tips - using clusters	6:11
11.	Styling the "bob" haircut - back	9:47
12.	Styling the "bob" haircut - front	5:41
13.	Hair renderer - normals	6:21
14.	Hair renderer - illumination colors	9:15
15.	Hair renderer - specular	3:04
16.	Hair renderer - transparency	3:04
17.	Hair geometry shader	5:56
18.	Hair shadows via occlusion	2:53
19.	Casting hair shadows	4:10
20.	Driving colors with texture maps	3:38
21.	Hair multiplicity	4:41
22.	Hair effects - frizz	4:02
23.	Hair effects - kink	5:08
24.	Hair effects - thickness	3:26
25.	Hair effects - random scale	2:15
26.	Hair effects - cut maps	7:00
27.	Hair effects - density maps	3:58
28.	Hair instancing	7:16
29.	Getting started with hair dynamics	6:40
30.	Hair collision type	4:20
31.	Applying forces to hair	3:40
32.	Caching the hair dynamics	4:55
33.	Wiggle dynamics	3:17
34.	Frizz animation	3:11
35.	Hair from curves	5:29
36.	Hair spline collision	6:43
37.	Copy style	2:04
38.	Conclusion	1:06
	Total Run Time:	3:20:31

T0397 - Digital Tutors - Introduction to Rigging in XSI

Establish a solid foundation and learn flexible rigging methods, various rigging and character setup tools, and the essentials of building animator-friendly controls in XSI. Contains nearly 7 hours of project-based training for aspiring artists learning character setup and rigging workflows in XSI.Popular highlights include:

• XSI Rigging Tools Overview


• Organizing Scenes


• Working with the Schematic


• Parenting Objects


• Using Groups


• 2D and 3D Bone Chain System


• IK Capabilities


• FK Capabilities


• Chain Properties


• Repositioning Bones


• Choosing Workable Rotation Orders


• Position Constraints


• Orientation Constraints


• Direction Constraints


• Pose Constraints


• Controlling SRT Parameters


• Chain Up Vector Operators


• Mesh Deformation Overview


• Envelopes


• Enveloping Techniques


• Resetting Envelopes


• Understanding Operator Stack


• Editing Envelopes


• Weight Paint Panel


• Redistributing Weights


• Weight Editor


• Blending Envelope Weights


• Mirroring Envelopes


• Working with Shapes


• Modeling Shapes with Tweak Component Tool


• Secondary Shape Modeling for Corrective Shapes


• Setting up Driven Key Relationships


• Working with Character Key Sets


• Organizing Animation Data

Lesson Outline:

1.	Using solid naming conventions for objects	13:48
2.	Creating custom toolbars and working with XSI layers	13:35
3.	Parenting objects in XSI	12:18
4.	Object hierarchies in XSI's explorer and schematic	8:43
5.	Building bones in XSI (part 1)	10:58
6.	Building bones in XSI (part 2)	10:26
7.	Creating pseudo roots in bone chains	4:38
8.	Safely repositioning bones in XSI	9:44
9.	Working with chain bone properties	11:30
10.	Display settings for roots and effectors	5:19
11.	Understanding XSI's Kinematic Chain	13:58
12.	IK/FK blending bone chains	7:24
13.	Delving into XSI's Kinematic Joint properties	16:21
14.	Creating control objects in XSI (part 1)	8:40
15.	Creating control objects in XSI (part 2)	12:08
16.	Cleaning up SRT parameters with Neutral Pose	6:05
17.	Utilizing XSI's Position Constraint to control an object's translate parameters	9:43
18.	Manipulating an object's rotation with the Orientation Constraint	9:23
19.	Controlling an object's rotation with another object's position using XSI's Direction Constraint	8:38
20.	Constraining an object's SRT parameters with XSI's Pose Constraint	6:54
21.	Working with Chain Up Vector	8:10
22.	Utilizing duplicate symmetry	7:31
23.	Efficiently renaming objects in XSI	4:35
24.	Automatically invoking SRT manipulators on objects	10:12
25.	Working with models	8:35
26.	Enveloping objects in XSI (part 1)	9:24
27.	Enveloping objects in XSI (part 2)	8:02
28.	Returning enveloped meshes to their reference pose	3:09
29.	Alternative solution for returning envelopes to their reference pose	9:28
30.	Modifying envelope weights	12:57
31.	Ultilizing the weight editor	7:01
32.	Locally reassigning influence weights to vertices	7:01
33.	Blending influence weights	8:17
34.	Mirroring weights in XSI	10:01
35.	Exporting weights	7:00
36.	Adding and removing envelope deformers	6:47
37.	Creating shapes in XSI	13:09
38.	Alternative way for creating shapes	11:55
39.	Driven Key Relationships via Simple Expressions	7:28
40.	Driven Key Relationships with the Parameter Connection Editor	8:38
41.	Using Deform Keys to correct deformations	10:23
42.	Understanding clusters	8:37
43.	Working with Cage Deformers	6:18
44.	Cleaning up object parameters for animation	5:00
45.	Using Deform Keys to correct deformations	7:50
46.	Using character key sets to organize animation data	13:49
	Total Run Time:	6:57:01

T0396 - Digital Tutors - Introduction To Lighting in XSI

Learn essential techniques for adding greater realism when rendering and a time-saving workflow to lighting within XSI. Contains over 2 hours of project-based training. Ideal for new and beginning artists.Popular highlights include:

• Overview of Light Types in XSI


• Using Depth Map Shadows


• Utilizing Raytrace Shadows


• Decay Rates of Light


• Area Lights for Accurate Shadows


• Creating Custom Light Intensity Curves


• Controlling Render Statistics for Geometry


• Creating Volumetric Lighting Effects


• Building Shaders to Simulate Visible Light Sources


• Adding Environment Fog to Scenes


• Simulating Realistic Camera Effects with Lens Flare


• Altering Object Behavior in Render


• Inclusive and Exclusive Lighting


• Creating Gobos and Projectors


• Practical Lighting Exercises and Scenarios

Lesson Outline:

1.	Overview of Point, Spot, and Infinite lights	7:44
2.	Overview of Light Box and Neon lights	3:01
3.	Controlling a light's color and intensity values	10:07
4.	Altering a light's specular and diffuse contribution	4:22
5.	Using Light Attenuation to add realistic light decay to your scenes	8:34
6.	Exploring the unique properties of Spot Lights	5:38
7.	Detailed overview of Raytrace and Depth Map shadows	8:13
8.	Incorporating Area Lights into your scenes	7:28
9.	Using Inclusive and Exclusive lights to illuminate certain objects in your scene	9:06
10.	Adjusting an object's display and render options using the Visibility Property Editor	8:19
11.	Using shaders to mimic a visible light source	9:13
12.	Exploring the process of creating volumetric lighting effects	7:40
13.	Using Lens Flares to create realistic camera effects	7:10
14.	Using gobos to create complex shadow patterns	8:18
15.	Using Fast Light Effects to create various lighting results	9:01
16.	Using Fast Volume Effects to create complex volumetric lighting patterns	5:28
17.	Practical lighting exercise (part 1)	8:52
18.	Practical lighting exercise (part 2)	10:05
19.	Practical lighting exercise (part 3)	14:10
	Total Run Time:	2:32:29

T0393 - Digital Tutors - Introduction to Character Development Kit in XSI

Efficiently build rigs and learn a customizable approach to character rigging using XSI's Character Development Kit. Contains over 4 hours of project-driven training for artists learning the technical and creative processes of automating and customizing character rigs in XSI.Popular highlights include:

• CDK Overview


• Biped Guide Rigging


• Quadruped Guide Rigging


• Hierarchy from Guide


• Roll Divisions and Skins


• Shadow Rigs


• Creating Synoptics


• Quaternion and Skeleton Spines


• Tail Controls


• Arms, Hands, and Fingers


• Legs and Feet


• Torso and Head


• Springs


• Adding Stretch to Biped Arms


• Adding Additional Controls


• Biped Motion Tracks, Tags and Steps


• Creating Custom CDK Commands


• Pose Constraints


• Symmetry Constraints


• Creating a Multi-legged Guide Rig


• Building Animation Expressions

Lesson Outline:

1.	Basic guide-rigging workflow	6:29
2.	Proportioning the biped guide (part 1)	6:40
3.	Proportioning the biped guide (part 2)	8:30
4.	Finalizing the proportions and creating the rig	9:16
5.	Features of rigs made from guides	7:00
6.	Proportioning the quadruped guide (part 1)	5:08
7.	Proportioning the quadruped guide (part 2)	6:03
8.	Creating rigs from quadruped guides	7:14
9.	Quadruped tail controls	4:36
10.	Creating custom synoptic views	7:11
11.	Coding synoptic commands	8:08
12.	Synoptic tips and tricks	6:38
13.	Biped dog leg rigs	4:18
14.	Guides setup for centaurs	6:46
15.	Roll, skin and other options	7:22
16.	Consolidating the centaur rigs	7:56
17.	Create spine tool	6:06
18.	Applying spring operators	6:59
19.	Create tail methods	7:03
20.	Making stretchy arms for the biped rig	9:56
21.	Automating the stretchy arm setup	8:31
22.	Completing and testing the Make Stretchy button	6:35
23.	Adding extra feet control with plant / free switches	6:04
24.	Biped motion tracks	5:15
25.	Exploring the Character Development Kit	3:29
26.	Using MakeLeg	9:13
27.	Using MakeArm	5:19
28.	Setting MakeHead with combo options	7:54
29.	Setting MakeTorso with symmetry options	8:44
30.	Using MakeFoot to make feet and roll controls	5:22
31.	Using MakeHand to make variable hands	11:19
32.	Multiped rig (part 1) - spine setup	5:22
33.	Multiped rig (part 2) - creating multiple left legs	6:53
34.	Multiped rig (part 3) - creating multiple right legs	5:13
35.	Multiped rig (part 4) - automating animation	10:56
36.	Multiped rig (part 5) - adding controls	6:50
	Total Run Time:	4:12:18