Category: Education and Training

The Gnomon Workshop welcomes Chris Stoski and Darin Hilton to its training library with the release of four DVDs on digital matte painting. Used to create backgrounds, sets, extensions or environments that are too costly to build physically or digitally, matte painting is a cornerstone of the visual effects industry. With the transition from hand painted mattes on glass to the digital age using software, such as Photoshop, Maya and Max, the range of techniques available to matte painters has broadened dramatically.

With the addition of a bachelors degree at the recently endowed John C. Hench division of Animation & Digital Arts at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, undergraduates can now take advantage of an international and multicultural program that focuses on animation in all its forms.

Digital-Tutors, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher, announced the availability of BODY MECHANICS AND ANIMATION IN MAYA: LIFTING HEAVY OBJECTS, an interactive guide to learning body mechanics and character animation techniques and the newest release in a growing library of interactive training for emerging digital artists. BODY MECHANICS AND ANIMATION IN MAYA: LIFTING HEAVY OBJECTS provides more than 6.5 hours of project-based training for both new and experienced animators seeking to create believable animations with life and personality.

During the months of September and October 2006, Digital-Tutors has partnered with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in the fight against breast cancer. A portion from all proceeds earned from the sale of Digital-Tutors' training products in September and October will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Central Oklahoma Affiliate, with a donation goal of $5,000.

PipelineFX, makers of Qube! software, the leading render farm management system for film production, game development and digital media programs, announced that the School of Visual Arts in New York City has joined the rapidly growing list of schools using Qube! to help students share rendering resources and speed up their projects.

Gnomon is now able to offer financial aid through Federal Student Aid. Students who are enrolled in the Certificate in High-end Computer Graphics Program on a full-time basis and are citizens of the U.S. may be eligible to receive Pell Grant and/or Stafford Loan financial assistance.

Digital-Tutors announced the availability of RENDERING TECHNIQUES IN XSI, the newest release in an expanding library of interactive video-based training for emerging digital artists. Artists will learn innovative techniques and a unique approach to rendering in XSI and compositing using the integrated FX Tree. RENDERING TECHNIQUES IN XSI provides over 2.5 hours of project-based training to increase the artist's productivity and understanding of rendering and compositing while using the powerful tools and features in XSI.

The Gnomon Workshop has updated its website with new navigation, contests, forums, books and several hours of free training.

Registration for Fall Term at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects (Sept. 25-Dec. 10) begins today, Aug. 21, 2006.

Meanwhile, Gnomon is offering four new classes for Fall Term: * Creature Development & Creation: Taught by Puddnhead, takes students through the entire process of designing creatures for film and videogames.* ZBrush Digital Sculpting and Anatomy: Taught by Scott Spencer, builds on the skills acquired in the 10-week ZBrush class, guiding students through using ZBrush to convey accurate anatomical form.