ZBrushCentral

cmiStudios training dvd's for zBrush

Well I’m not one to usually say this, but I don’t think training courses are really needed.

On this site is a very well organized area called Quicklinks, that basically, explain everything you could possible need to know, and even more.

Top that off with the excelllent and fast answers to every question under the sun.

For example, when I asked the question “How do you get the render to have the plasticy look like everyone else has.”, even with the absolutely horrible phrasing of the question, I managed to get a 3 clear cut repsonses pointing me to a script that was posted, that answered my question in no time.

I’ve had Zbrush for less then a week, but even now I’m getting good at it.

The main stumbling block for new users is that, they either

A- Think Zbrush is another tool like 3D Studio Max, Maya, or XSI

or

B- They think that modeling full figures with massive features and dynamic clothing will just be a single mouse click away.

I would be A, as I though Zbrush was a new type of “Truespace” rendering application.

While Zbrush can be shown as a 3D modeling/rendering program, and looks easy to use, its biggest block, that I feel everyone ran into at one point, was the fact that it was nothing like the rest of the 3D dev tools out there, and that the interface is quite different.

If I was to make a DVD tutorial set, I would call it “Learning to interface”, as you really only need to learn what the tools do, and then you can start modeling or building to your hearts content.

basic questions like

How do I design clothing
How do I make hair
How do I attach the head to the body(my favorite XD)

and so on, are all explained in this forum, and not only are there tutorials, but Zscripts, to show how things are done, if the user still doesn’t grasp somthing.

Not that I’m against Videos or DVDs that teach, but usually, they do not cover all areas of a program, as has been the case with many packages like this.

I’ve seen those “Learn to use Windows 98 like a pro” videos, and they only cover the simple subjects, and never delve into Networking, or how to modify the registery, or even explain why certain features do what the do.

for example, being new to Zbrush, I didn’t even think, I just clicked…and clicked…and then I found a tutorial on Zspheres, that instead of just telling me, move this to that, and click here, explained what a Zsphere was, and in that small, one page review, I learned how they worked, and what Unified skin really meant.

My point is, that if you intend to teach the program via DVD’s, you’ll need to have someone who will not put people to sleep (aka “John” from those windows vids I talked about), and at the same time, who will be teaching how to design things from the ground up that could compare to Pixolators work, or even Southern graphic’s work.

Now, I’m not saying to get someone who will go “Yo, dude, you need to click the wacked out bake button to…”, not at all :smiley:

You also have to remember not to refer to, or use anything but Zbrush when doing these DVD’s, as I recall a movie on working with Flash MX, asking you to use Adobe Photoshop to do somthing.

You just need to find someone who will be able to teach, and that what that person teaches sticks with the viewer.

I know it sounds like I’m ranting, but I have yet to see one single Video based tutorial that helps with anything art related.

As someone pointed out, with the Zscript option avaiable for both Demo and retail users, the “video” tutorials are already really there.

Oh yeah, for those who are curious about how I know so much about these “instructional videos”, I used to watch them as part of various survey’s that computer companies were doing. Not a bad way to make a few bucks, and snag free software, but somtimes, so boring that I almost fell asleep.

there is lots of interest in this product…

so cmiStudios is now looking for additional folks to be on the dvd/s

We want to hit all the different ways to intergrate it into a production film/tv pipeline.

(not as a fine art product)

please email me if you have something cool to offer… even if it is small. sharing knowledge is how we get the ball rolling.
[email protected]

I think most of the members here, including myself, are going to be using Zbrush mostly for illustration work. You might get a better response about film, TV, animation, etc… on other boards like cgtalk or highend3d.

I hope you can provide some cool educational tools! I’m sure a lot of studios will be looking into adding Z2 into their pipeline. Probably real soon.

I think any learning tool is a great idea! (providing it is created and distributed with Pixologic’s blessings.) I have purchased such tools in the past for other softwares and found them to be incredibly enriching. It is true that the community is always there for people who need help. ZBrushers are extremely generous and supportive. People have sent me scripts in the past to demonstrate solutions to problems, as they have come up. I remain eternally grateful! However, ZBrush is growing.
I must admit, my usuage of ZBrush has dropped off since the introduction of Zspheres because I could not seem to master them. (Things always got all twisted up and distorted.) However, there is a new version and new hope that things will become easier.
That said, I think it would be great to have a new learning tool out there. Several in fact.
If you could recruit some of the Masters–Marcel, Ken B., Glen Southern, Mentat, or Pixolator himself come to mind.
How wonderful would it be to watch and learn from any of these guys! My dream come true! :cool:


Frenchy: I Don’t know if I have false reading the new features of Zb2, but it’s seems that audio are now possible with scripts


Is the audio feature enabled? In my first quick tests, zscript didn’t record audio. Anyone have any info on this? If it does work, then a zscript tutorial is needed.

One major downside of a DVD as compared to a zscript is that often times I’ll be going through a zscript tutorial and just escape in the middle and play with the model and settings that are there. It really gives the feeling of entering the book, without first downloading a scene file (if its actually provided), and shrinking your app. on part of the screen to view the video on the other side. The addition of PAUSE and REWIND would really help the zscripts. Perhaps a plugin for this anyone? Or did I miss this feature?

On the other hand, many people prefer different ways of learning. With such a great app. like Z2 it would be easy to geek-out and buy any quality tutorial available.

before I begin cmiStudios , I just want to say that I dont know you, and I am not saying that you are or will be doing any of the following things… I dont know you, your company, or your intent… please just take the following as a grain of salt… I wish you and your company well… and If you do make tutorials, I hope it is a successful venture for you :slight_smile:

ok here I go…

The only thing that “Gets my goat” is when people come to a forum, and play like Mr. Nice guy… asking everyone for help, and free training…

and then SOme people turn around and take the information and place it in a Pay Website, or a Pay forum, or a Pay Video set, or pay books… They give no thanks or recognition to the people who taught them… nor do they give credits or royalitys…nor do they stick around ZBC to help out other Noobies…

Everytime I hear of someone doing this, I have to ask myself “WHY?”

Zbrush Centrail is a great place for anyone to learn FREE… Zbrush2 has an AWESOME help system that comes FREE… Pixologic has great Customer support witch is included in your purchace price… and there are Free VTM’s over at 3D Buzz and Polycount already…

IMHO there are too many Oppertunists out there… art should be shared and enjoyed by society in my opinion…

well that is my 2 cents worth…

Like I said before, I dont know you or your company… I am not saying you are or will be doing any of the above things…

Perhaps there are some mesures you will take to make so people will not have simular opinions of this venture…

and as I said before, If you do it, I wish you luck… and I hope you are successful :slight_smile:

have a good day…

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>if Dave Cardwell made a dvd on how he makes a model from the ground up ( including zscripts of the process/ notes, and voice over…, how many would pay to see his workflow? i know i would

________________<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have to bump this thread back up because I think this topic deserves more discussion, and I totally agree with ambient, and the others about some video training.

If anyone else has watched any of the Gnomon Concept Design DVD’s now, or any of their Maya DVD’s. I have to say that they are out of this world.
I have 9 of the concept design ones, and I have to admit that DVD, or video training is a second to none learning experience. It’s like one on one tutoring, and when presented correctly like what gnomon is doing it is unbeatable.

I would certainly buy 3, or more DVD’s each from 4, or more proficient ZBrush experts, or artists well acquainted with the functionality, and tools of the application. Different instructors taking you through all the basic ZB modeling then getting into more advanced modeling, and ZB techniques, and some texturing, or wherever they feel are areas needed to be learned to understand this application better is exactly what I’m looking for, and I think a lot of others would be interested as well.

Who wouldn’t buy a DVD set from Stevie Ray, or Dave Cardwell (I don’t know who that is but I trust Ambient. Sorry Dave. :slight_smile: ).
If you’ve seen more than one set of the concept design DVD’s from Gnomon Workshop, and Design Studio Press you’d understand how valuable it can be to see the differences in the basic techniques of different teachers. THey all have something different to offer, and it’s just a great resource IMO. :smiley:

interesting discussion.

i have nothing against cmsitudios making some zbrush training DVDs. i don’t know how well they will sell because of zbrush’s unique zscript feature, but i don’t have any problem with it. i do think that there are alot of really good zscripts and tutorials here at ZBC. that is one of the reasons that drew me to keep coming back to ZBC and eventually i bought the program.

If cmistudios wants to charge for their product it doesn’t commit anyone to have to buy it. so i think ZBC will continue to stay free of cost (or at least i hope so).

i probably would not buy general training DVDs, but as mentioned before if they sold a DVD with some of the Zbrush masters complete workflow on them, i would consider them. I would definetly enjoy seeing how masters like southern, marcel, mentat, dave cardwell, ambient-whisper, ztevie ray, and many others work. i think it would be really neat to see the “master” himself Pixolator at work and how he uses his program.

just my thoughts on the topic.

artboy

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>I would definetly enjoy seeing how masters like southern, marcel, mentat, dave cardwell, ambient-whisper, ztevie ray, and many others work. i think it would be really neat to see the “master” himself Pixolator at work and how he uses his program.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>the “master” himself Pixolator at work<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That alone on DVD would be a god send.

I’m very new to ZBC, and ZBrush, but are the tutorials located randomly as I’ve been finding them, or can I get to all the tutorial pages grouped together with ease somewhere, somehow? That would help. But I still think DVD training is a thing of choice. I would prefer it.

I have nothing against Zscripts, and I’ve always thought Photoshop Actions were useful, but I never really understood much of the program until I bought a book on it, and never fully understood it until I saw few Scott Kelby DVD’s, and a later a Total Training DVD set. Now I think there is little (or nothing) I cant do in Photoshop. Accept use ZSpheres. :slight_smile:

I think DVD’s are a great idea, especially if used in conjunction with Zscripts. The thing of it is that some people learn better by reading (tech manuals for example, and I think Zscripts probably fall into this group more or less but that’s just my opinion), and some learn better by seeing the complete process as it happens in realtime with commentary. Kind of a left brain right brain thing I think. Personally I would have no problem paying for a DVD course as long as they were affordably priced, and thoroughly covered all topics A to Z. And I don’t think it’s wrong for a company to charge for said DVD’s. After all, there are various production and distribution costs involved that have to be recouped. So, all I can really say at this point to cmiStudios is good luck and I hope it all works out for you guys. I look forward to seeing your DVD’s when they are ready (and I too hope they will involve work from “the ZB masters”). :wink:

To cmiStudios:
Well, I really appreciated alot if…cmiStudios could show us one of the product they already have. It will be very interesting if they share with the forum where they have invite to work with them some of the products to see the additional or complement help that his proposition add to the ZScript recorded session.
I wait for this gently requirement and thanks in advance if you could help us
Andreseloy

Here is a link to some free video training teasers for some of the other products they support if you want to check them out. :wink:
http://www.cmistudios.com/training.htm

BTW, I have a set of 3 Shake DVDs from them. They are very good. Got me up, and running using shake in no time flat.

Take a look at this:
http://www.cmistudios.com/product_shake2.htm

:slight_smile:

just uploaded them

have fun!

I saw that this morning. I check your page every day. I have been ready for that series for a long time… I really want to see the ZBrush stuff you have planned come out soon. I am pretty excited about it.

Pretty slick. This is the first one I’ve taken a peak at so far and it looks quite professional. Very clear and concise from the looks of it. Have to say that based on this I would definitely buy a Zbrush DVD, even though I probably don’t actually need one.

zed,

I am not sure who you are in real life, but if you think you are one of the tops… email me.

The new series will be quite exciting.

Meats Meiers is working on disc 1 as we speak… and Bay will be starting shortly on his disc. I am also negotiating others… so if you have an unusual workflow in zbrush… please contact me.

Also, thanks for all the feedback in the latest posts.

Im not sure who are those interested in DVD but without sharing script that is THE MORE EASY WAY.I dont know if someone here are from the same team¡
I understand now: commercial reasons¡¡¡
Very special¡
Is incredible that most user or master dont share script¡¡
EMax

Up until now I am still waiting for a better tutorial, one that work from the start to finishing not part of it here and there from Pixologic. Its hasn’t been much help to me because I want to complete a job not playing to discover surprises every now and then.

I hope your DVD is up to this.

All you want fillip is possible with ZSCRIPT¡
I want also to job not to play and why dont with ZSCRIPT?
Im curious about it¡
Why dont the masters or those supposed that are the top here, dont share script?
EMax

egomaxim, there are tons of ZScripts from the masters floating around these forums. You need only to look for them.

As for DVD 1. Wow! Meats Meiers is awesome. I have not seen much of his ZB stuff, but he makes some wild @ss art. That guy is a freakishly wicked artist. I’m curious about what his DVD is going to involve. Most of the art that he’s created that I have seen is really weird stuff.

No offense intended to bay being that I’m fairly new here, but I’m not sure exactly who that is?