3ds Max Techniques
with Michele Bousquet Course starts 20 October 2008.
Registration: Closed
Learn to get faster and better results with 3ds Max using time-saving tricks. 3ds Max can be daunting with its hundreds of tools and options, but you’ll learn to get the most from 3ds Max with speed techniques from 3ds Max guru Michele Bousquet. No need to spend hours or days on complex techniques when you can get the same result with a more direct approach.
Over these eight weeks, Michele will unveil numerous tools and tricks for getting spectacular results with 3ds Max in a minimum of time. You’ll learn to look past the usual 3D methods to find fast, effective techniques that will make your scenes pop in no time.
Michele Bousquet is an award-winning animator, writer, instructor and producer and has been animating in 3D since 1990. She has written more than 20 books on computer graphics and her work appears in games, local television commercials and PBS shows.
"You're a great teacher and a great motivator Michele. Thanks for always taking the time to answer everyone so thoroughly; it really makes a big difference."
Valerie Morrison, Student, Low Polygon Character Modeling III
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3ds Max Techniques
with Michele Bousquet Course starts 07 July 2008.
Registration: Closed
Learn to get faster and better results with 3ds Max using time-saving tricks. 3ds Max can be daunting with its hundreds of tools and options, but you’ll learn to get the most from 3ds Max with speed techniques from 3ds Max guru Michele Bousquet. No need to spend hours or days on complex techniques when you can get the same result with a more direct approach.
Over these eight weeks, Michele will unveil numerous tools and tricks for getting spectacular results with 3ds Max in a minimum of time. You’ll learn to look past the usual 3D methods to find fast, effective techniques that will make your scenes pop in no time.
Michele Bousquet is an award-winning animator, writer, instructor and producer and has been animating in 3D since 1990. She has written more than 20 books on computer graphics and her work appears in games, local television commercials and PBS shows.
"You're a great teacher and a great motivator Michele. Thanks for always taking the time to answer everyone so thoroughly; it really makes a big difference."
Valerie Morrison, Student, Low Polygon Character Modeling III
More information >>
Character Animation with Biped
with Michele Bousquet Course starts 31 March 2008.
Registration: Closed
In this workshop, Certified Autodesk Instructor Michele Bousquet author of 3ds Max Animation with Biped and Model, Rig, Animate with 3ds Max 7 will take students through the world of Character Animation with Biped.
The 3ds Max Biped module* has some of the most powerful character animation tools available on the PC today. Over these eight weeks, you will learn how the Biped footsteps feature can shortcut more advanced IK tools such as freeform animation. You will have a look “under the hood” to find out how footsteps and freeform animation work so that you will know how to get the most from this complex and robust software.
The Topics covered include:
- What FK and IK are, and how they work
- What makes a walk cycle and why IK is ideal for creating them
- Biped’s FK and IK tools
- Creating motion files and re-using them with various characters and body parts
- Special effects with Motion Mixer
Students will also learn how to re-use your character animation over and over with different characters and even different body parts of the same character, and find out how to create special effects such as bullet-time animation with just a few keystrokes.
As a bonus, in week 9, students will be introduced to skinning with the Skin Modifier.
*The Biped module was formerly called Character Studio, and is still referred to as such in the 3ds Max documentation.
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Low Polygon Character modeling
with Michele Bousquet Course starts 21 January 2008.
Registration: Closed
Want to improve and fast track your low polygon character modelling training? Then jump into Low Polygon Character Modeling IV with Autodesk Certified Instructor and author of Harnessing 3ds Max 8, Michele Bousquet.
Polygon modeling is the most popular form of modeling for characters in television productions, games and other media where fast animation or rendering is required.
In this workshop, Michele returns and goes beyond basic polygon modeling to show students the most important tools and best workflow for modeling characters. Students will be given step-by-step instruction to learn the necessary skills, organizational techniques and most effective ways to use 3D applications to create low polygon models. Students can model any creature they wish, as the principles for low-poly character modeling are the same for humanoid and non-humanoid characters.
Principles covered are independent of the software used. Students can use 3ds Max, Maya, Lightwave, Cinema 4D or any software they like to apply the techniques and do the assignments. Michele will tailor her content to all 3D packages.
Michele will cover different kinds of character models, from people to goblins to turtle-like critters with tentacles. The first homework assignment is to simply grab a character design and start modeling. Michele will offer a few humanoid designs for students to choose from, but students can also provide their own, whether humanoid or not. Students can use their own design once approved by Michele. Feedback will be given so that changes can be made to the characters before the course starts.
Michele envisages that each student will come away from the workshop with a decent low-poly character model and the confidence to create better models.
"I learned not just what I hoped I would learn, primarily texture mapping for game characters but a lot of other things about how to create good quality models that will doubtless help me with my personal animation projects and with my career in 3d wherever that may take me."
James Mallard, Student, Low Polygon Character Modeling I
" I learned how NOT to model, before the class I had the bad habit of adding too much detail. The class has helped me break some bad habits.”
Miss Jidi, Student, Low Polygon Character Modeling II
""You're a great teacher and a great motivator Michele. Thanks for always taking the time to answer everyone so thoroughly; it really makes a big difference."
Valerie Morrison, Student, Low Polygon Character Modeling III
Note: This is a repeat Low Polygon Character Modeling workshop.
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Low-Polygon Character Modeling III
with Michele Bousquet Course starts 27 August 2007.
Registration: Closed
Want to improve and fast track your low polygon character modelling training? Then jump into Low Polygon Character Modeling III with Autodesk Certified Instructor and author of Harnessing 3ds Max 8, Michele Bousquet.
Polygon modeling is the most popular form of modeling for characters in television productions, games and other media where fast animation or rendering is required.
In this workshop, Michele goes beyond basic polygon modeling to show students the most important tools and best workflow for modeling characters. Students will be given step-by-step instruction to learn the necessary skills, organizational techniques and most effective ways to use 3D applications to create low polygon models. Students can model any creature they wish, as the principles for low-poly character modeling are the same for humanoid and non-humanoid characters.
Principles covered are independent of the software used. Students can use 3ds Max, Maya, Lightwave, Cinema 4D or any software they like to apply the techniques and do the assignments. Michele will tailor her content to all 3D packages.
Michele will cover different kinds of character models, from people to goblins to turtle-like critters with tentacles. The first homework assignment is to simply grab a character design and start modeling. Michele will offer a few humanoid designs for students to choose from, but students can also provide their own, whether humanoid or not. Students can use their own design once approved by Michele. Feedback will be given so that changes can be made to the characters before the course starts.
Michele envisages that each student will come away from the workshop with a decent low-poly character model and the confidence to create better models.
"I learned not just what I hoped I would learn, primarily texture mapping for game characters but a lot of other things about how to create good quality models that will doubtless help me with my personal animation projects and with my career in 3d wherever that may take me."
James Mallard, Student, Low Polygon Character Modeling I
More information >>
MAXScript Fundamentals II
with Michele Bousquet Course starts 25 June 2007.
Registration: Closed
Michele Bousquet, author of MAXScript Made Easy and Borislav “Bobo” Petrov, Visual Effects Technical Director at Frantic Films, are repeating their fantastic MAXScript workshop with MAXScript Fundamentals II. In this class, Michele and Bobo will assist and mentor students in the fundamentals of MAXScript, the programming language built into 3ds Max.
Weekly tutorials will be presented by world renowned author and instructor Michele Bousquet, while in weeks 5-8, MAXScript guru Borislav “Bobo” Petrov will be on hand to provide additional support to students with their original scripts and advanced questions. Borislav Petrov has worked on films such as Superman Returns, Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow .
Each of the week's tutorials will cover all the essential elements of MAXScript, with assignments progressively building toward a final script. Students are encouraged to go beyond the assignments to write 2-3 original scripts of their own design over the course of the class. In the final week, the lesson will cover resources for expanding your knowledge beyond the end of the class.
Topics are presented in an easy-to-follow manner, with all programming concepts explained in a fun and dynamic environment. No previous programming experience is required.
These lessons are guaranteed to have you programming with confidence in just a few weeks. With expert guidance from two highly talented and experienced scripters, you’ll learn the professional way to write scripts that work perfectly ever time.
More information >>
Character Animation with Biped
with Michele Bousquet Course starts 28 May 2007.
Registration: Closed
In this exciting new workshop, Michele Bousquet author of 3ds Max Animation with Biped and Model, Rig, Animate with 3ds Max 7 and Autodesk Certified Instructor will take students through the world of Character Animation with Biped.
The 3ds Max Biped module* has some of the most powerful character animation tools available on the PC today. Over these eight weeks, you will learn how the Biped footsteps feature can shortcut more advanced IK tools such as freeform animation. You will have a look “under the hood” to find out how footsteps and freeform animation work so that you will know how to get the most from this complex and robust software.
The Topics covered include:
- What FK and IK are, and how they work
- What makes a walk cycle and why IK is ideal for creating them
- Biped’s FK and IK tools
- Creating motion files and re-using them with various characters and body parts
- Special effects with Motion Mixer
Students will also learn how to re-use your character animation over and over with different characters and even different body parts of the same character, and find out how to create special effects such as bullet-time animation with just a few keystrokes.
*The Biped module was formerly called Character Studio, and is still referred to as such in the 3ds Max documentation.
More information >>
Low-Polygon Character Modeling II
with Michele Bousquet Course starts 26 March 2007.
Registration: Closed
Michele Bousquet, Autodesk Certified Instructor and author of Harnessing 3ds Max 8 has agreed to repeat her highly popular Low Polygon Character Modeling workshop!
Polygon modeling is the most popular form of modeling for characters in television productions, games and other media where fast animation or rendering is required.
In this workshop, Michele goes beyond basic polygon modeling to show students the most important tools and best workflow for modeling characters. Students will be given step-by-step instruction to learn the necessary skills, organizational techniques and most effective ways to use 3D applications to create low polygon models. Students can model any creature they wish, as the principles for low-poly character modeling are the same for humanoid and non-humanoid characters.
Principles covered are independent of the software used. Students can use 3ds Max, Maya, Lightwave, Cinema 4D or any software they like to apply the techniques and do the assignments. Michele will tailor her content to all 3D packages. Michele will conduct a brief survey at the start of the class to find out which software students are using. If applicable, she will add some specifics on each piece of software so students can find the tools they need.
Michele will cover different kinds of character models, from people to goblins to turtle-like critters with tentacles. The first homework assignment is to simply grab a character design and start modeling. Michele will offer a few humanoid designs for students to choose from, but students can also provide their own, whether humanoid or not. Students can use their own design once approved by Michele. Feedback will be given so that changes can be made to the characters before the course starts.
Michele envisages that each student will come away from the workshop with a decent low-poly character model and the confidence to create better models.
" I (also) would like to thank Michele for taking on this class and tell you how much I've enjoyed having an excuse to build a lot of models in the last couple of months! I learned not just what I hoped I would learn, primarily texture mapping for game characters but a lot of other things about how to create good quality models that will doubtless help me with my personal animation projects and with my career in 3d wherever that may take me."
James Mallard, Student, Low Polygon Character Modeling I
More information >>
MAXScript Fundamentals
with Michele Bousquet Course starts 29 January 2007.
Registration: Closed
In this fantastic CGWorkshop, Michele Bousquet, author of MAXScript Made Easy and Borislav “Bobo” Petrov, Visual Effects Technical Director at Frantic Films, will assist and mentor students in the fundamentals of MAXScript, the programming language built into 3ds Max.
Weekly tutorials will be presented by world renowned author and instructor Michele Bousquet, while in weeks 5-8, MAXScript guru Borislav “Bobo” Petrov will be on hand to provide additional support to students with their original scripts and advanced questions. Borislav Petrov has worked on films such as Superman Returns, Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow .
Each of the week's tutorials will cover all the essential elements of MAXScript, with assignments progressively building toward a final script. Students are encouraged to go beyond the assignments to write 2-3 original scripts of their own design over the course of the class. In the final week, the lesson will cover resources for expanding your knowledge beyond the end of the class.
Topics are presented in an easy-to-follow manner, with all programming concepts explained in a fun and dynamic environment. No previous programming experience is required.
These lessons are guaranteed to have you programming with confidence in just a few weeks. With expert guidance from two highly talented and experienced scripters, you’ll learn the professional way to write scripts that work perfectly ever time.
More information >>
Low-Polygon Character Modeling
with Michele Bousquet Course starts 13 November 2006.
Registration: Closed
Polygon modeling is the most popular form of modeling for characters in games, television productions, and other media where fast animation or rendering is required. The multi-billion dollar computer game industry is very competitive and to produce real-time games with faster and realistic effects is very challenging. The answer to creating game-ready 3D models using any 3D application and overcoming real-time issues, is to use low polygon models.
In this exciting new eight week workshop, Michele Bousquet, author of Harnessing 3ds Max 8 (among others) and Certified Autodesk Instructor, goes beyond basic polygon modeling to show students the most important tools and best workflow for modeling characters. Students will be given step-by-step instruction to learn the necessary skills, organizational techniques and most effective ways to use 3D applications to create low polygon models. Students can model any creature they wish, as the principles for low-poly character modeling are the same for humanoid and non-humanoid characters.
Principles covered are independent of the software used. Students can use 3ds Max, Maya or Cinema 4D or any software they like to apply the techniques and do the assignments. Michele will tailor her content to all 3D packages. Michele will conduct a brief survey at the start of the class to find out which software students are using. If applicable, she will add some specifics on each piece of software so students can find the tools they need.
In the first week, Michele will cover different kinds of character models, from people to goblins to turtle-like critters with tentacles. The first homework assignment is to simply grab a character design and start modeling. Michele will offer a few humanoid designs for students to choose from, but students can also provide their own, whether humanoid or not. Students can use their own design once approved by Michele. Feedback will be given so that changes can be made to the characters before the course starts.
The human face is very challenging to make convincingly with a low number of polygons. If the student's non-humanoid creature design has a very simple facial structure (or no face at all!) Michele will ask that her students do the facial modeling exercises on a separate head so that they get the hang of it. Just because your design has no face, this is not a reason for you to not learn how to model a humanoid face.
Michele envisages that each student will come away from the workshop with a decent low-poly character model and the confidence to create better models.
Just some of the many books Michele has authored are listed below:
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