CG Education

Nov 29th 2011
Did a complete redesign of my Blended Box Mapping tutorial, including a brand new method for producing a Blended Box Map that is light years ahead of the older method.

Dec 12th 2010
Chris Granados has been nice enough to write a version of cornerEdgeToVertexMap for Maya using Python, which allows you to do my Worn Edges Using A Distorted Vertex Map tutorial in Maya. Download it here!.

May 21st 2010
Added a new tutorial called Vector Displacement Map Stamps In Mudbox.

Apr 24th 2010
Alexander Yergashov again has translated a number of my lessons into russian, here's the list: Worn Edges Using A Distorted Vertex Map, Tentacles and Chains Using Path Deform, Piles Of Rubble, Mapping Complex Shapes Using Multiple Map Channels, and Enhancing Bumps Through Rake Lighting.

Jan 2nd 2010
Added some extra info to my Chipped Paint Material tutorial, giving extra info on how to use the Output map to achieve the same results as the ColorCorrect plugin.

Dec 20th 2009
Added some extra info to my Non Linear Displacement In 3dsmax tutorial, mentionning some software you can use to make Vector Displacement

Nov 20th 2009
Added a new tutorial called Fractal Noise.

Oct 27th 2009
Revised heavily my Tentacles and Chains Using Path Deform Tutorial. Alexander Yergashov again has translated a number of my lessons into russian, here's the list: Blended Box Mapping, Multiple UV Tiles, Changing A Photoshop Layer's Color To A Different Color While Keeping Transparency, Overbright Cards In Reflections, and Chipped Paint Material.

Oct 18th 2009
Added a new tutorial called Glows That Look Really Hot. Added mentalray examples to my Chrome Material Tutorial.

Oct 1st 2009
Added a new lesson, Tree Brush In Photoshop. Alexander Yergashov again has translated a number of my lessons into russian, here's the list: Ambient Occlusion Rust, Non Linear Displacement In 3dsmax, Converting A Grayscale Image To Black On Transparent, Pelt Mapping, and Reducing Memory Usage To Render A Memory Hungry Scene.

Sept 21st 2009
Added a new version of my Mudbox to Max tutorial called Converting A Mudbox 2010 Model To 3DSMax. I'll keep the 2009 one around as well for people who haven't upgraded. Also note, this tutorial still uses obj as the primary way to move the model back and forth. At some point in the near future, I'll modify the tutorial to use fbx, which will let you skip 2 or 3 minor steps. But in the meantime, this newer tutorial should give you results that look great and it covers a few changes that have occurred in Mudbox 2010.

Sept 8th 2009
Added a new lesson called Procedural Noise. Also, someone has been kind enough to figure out a way to replicate the Blended Box Map technique inside maya (using mentalray). Go here for the youtube video, and click on "More Info" to get a script that creates the shader network for you.

July 3rd 2009
My Gnomon DVD "Hard Surface Shading And Texturing" is now out. To order, or for more information, please go here.
Added a few new details to Piles Of Rubble and Replacing Scatter With PFlow.

June 11th 2009
Added a new technique to Converting A Grayscale Image To Black On Transparent. Added a new lesson Chipped Paint Material.

June 8th 2009
I have just completed an instructional DVD for The Gnomon Workshop called "Hard Surface Shading And Texturing". It contains over 5.5 hours of content. Here's the description from the website: "In this 2 DVD set, Neil introduces his pipeline for shading and texturing hard surface models. The pipeline can be used for any highres models, such as models for photoreal fx work, animated feature films, ride films or videogame cinematics. In Part 1, he discusses reference gathering, how to make a visual details list, and common shaders. Then he outlines all of the major methods for placing patterns on your surface, their advantages and disadvantages, and ways of creating patterns, including procedurals, photo manipulation, and hand painting. He breaks up the lecture with practical demonstrations in Adobe photoshop and 3dstudio max using the Scanline, Brazil and mentalray renderers, and stresses how the theory can be applicable to your 3d application and renderer of choice. In Part 2, he uses the theory and pipeline from Part 1 to shade and texture a 2000+ object robot character and simple environment using 3ds Max, Photoshop and Brazil. With a focus on texturing thousands of objects fast and efficiently and theory that is useful in any 3d app or renderer, this intermediate level course is sure to add many new tricks to your personal arsenal." The DVD should be out July 1st 2009, go here for more info, including a sneak peak at the final robot (more images to follow when the DVD is released). Added a new pic in my Enhancing Bumps Through Rake Lighting lesson. Added more pics to my Flat Metallic Surfaces lesson. And lastly, a big thanks to everyone who came to my talks in Utrecht last week, we had a fantastic time.

May 18th 2009
First off, I updated my Chrome Material lesson with some extra info on the difference between polished, blurred and glossy reflections. Alexander Yergashov again has translated a number of my lessons into russian, here's the list: A White Plane That Fades Into A White Background, Spun Pattern, Dust Material, Replacing Scatter With PFlow, Towels, Carpet Or Grass Material Using Displacement, and Offset Filter To Make Tileable Textures. And one last reminder that I will be in Utrecht next week giving 2 presentations for the "End User Event 2009". Can't wait to see everyone there!