In this demonstration, Nate explains and shows the process by which a piece of concept art is interpreted and used to model out a game environment in Maya. In the process, Nate will explain various modeling tools, techniques, and workflows, as well as numerous theories and methods used to create game art. A timelapse video of the entire modeling session is included so that the viewer can see and understand all the techniques being used. Nate will also cover common errors and mistakes to avoid so that the scene will run efficiently in real time and light correctly.

Continuing his Tethered Islands series, Aaron Sims shares his techniques for building a creature in ZBrush. Using ZSpheres to design the initial body structure, Aaron develops the character from scratch. He then demonstrates how to skin the ZSpheres and add details, color and lighting. In XSI, Aaron discusses the basics of rigging, weighting, and animating the imported creature from ZBrush. Finally he covers how to pose, light, and render the creature in an XSI scene.

In this second DVD in the Boujou Matchmoving Series, Stephen McClure demonstrates advanced techniques for creating working tracks in Boujou, setting up those tracks in Maya, creating effects in Maya and compositing in Shake. Stephen takes an in-depth look at Boujou's workflow with radially distorted shots and shows how Boujou solutions are set up and evaluated in Maya. Taking the final Boujou solution into Maya, he lays it out with proxy geometry and checks for accuracy. Finally, Stephen explores the creation of a Maya sprite-based particle smoke system, completing the final integration and compositing in Shake.

Aaron Sims second DVD illustrates the process of designing a full character in a 3D environment. Starting by creating a quick concept in Photoshop, Aaron models the character in XSI, texturing it in Deep Paint. Aaron shows how to use XSI to build the rig and pose the character, and then sets it in an environment where he lights and renders it. Finally, he finishes the piece in Photoshop, showing you techniques to give your design a refined and completed look.

In this polygon modeling DVD, Sean Mills moves from relatively simple hard-surface forms to the creation of more complex and detail-oriented shapes. Sean introduces you to the principles of creating hi-res poly models by modeling the head of an intricately detailed 4-eyed creature, based on a maquette (sculpted by Neville Page). Utlilizing Subdivision surfaces, he shows how to sculpt your model with real-time feedback on the hi-res surface. Learn to create an intelligent edgeflow around your model's primary forms, one of the more complicated tasks associated with poly modeling. Finishing the process, Sean shows you how to return those changes to a low-res cage, for further modification.