1,000 Tutorials and climbing at CINEVERSITY
Cineversity Hits 1,000 Tutorial Milestone!
MAXON USA today announced there are now over 1,000 tutorials available
on Cineversity. This major milestone underscores MAXONs commitment to
helping artists maximize their creative potential.
Posted at 12:00AM May 13, 2008 by ko maruyama in Tutorials | Comments[0]
Mac Day in Los Angeles / Event : Education
When: Saturday, May 31 ? 8:30/9 am - 9:00 pm
Where: CBS Studio Center, aka "Radford Studios"
4020 Radford Avenue, Studio City CA 91604
(Laurel Canyon & Ventura)
URL: http://macdayla.com
A couple of years ago, Chris and Trish introduced me to author / instuctor Deborah Shadovitz. Deborah has been putting together seminars and parties fo Mac people, and is organizing MacDayLA again this year.
Posted at 02:46PM May 12, 2008 by ko maruyama in Events | Comments[0]
Mad Magazine turns 50!
It's a PHOTOSHOP night @ DMA/LA - May's meeting = 05/20/08
Mad Magazine turns 50 years old!
In celebration of our favorite comic book's birthday, we're excited to announce that Sergio Aragones, local hero and creator of those tiny little illustrations "marginal thinking" cartoons and Groo the Wanderer will be on hand with DMA/LA member and his digital colorist, Tom Luth, to talk about the history of comic illustration and the integration of Photoshop as a digital production pipeline tool. Sergio's illustrations have been found in every magazine since he started in 1969.
In addition to a big NAB review and talk about some new After Effects plugins that we hope to show sneak peeks of, we also have plans for a demonstration of 3D tools and animation within Photoshop CS3 Extended.
Of course we also plan to have tons of prizes to give away including some cool comic books, beautiful illustration books and software for animators and illustrators.
Stay tuned for more! Sign up (free) to come to the meeting for free!
http://www.dmala.org
Posted at 01:07PM May 12, 2008 by ko maruyama in Events | Comments[0]
Obey this tiki
Each week, Charlie White and Stephen Schleicher talk about... well, digital stuff. Many of their conversations cover home electronics (and much of it home theater stuff). At the end of their podcast, there's a tagline "Obey the tiki" - which I thought of when I saw the work of Hawaiian sculptor, Henrik Van Ryzin.
check out these works of art; apparently you can drink from them too...
Posted at 12:00AM May 09, 2008 by ko maruyama in Food | Comments[0]
ArtZone 3D character set: Ninja Setsuko
If it says "ninja", someone sends it to me. If it's 3D too - definitely more of a chance I'll look at it. If it's Ninja Setsuko at the ArtZone store, I'll definitely click on it.
ArtZone, a library of DAZ3D characters that you can pose into still images for use in Photoshop or (example: anime comic book illustration)...
Posted at 12:00AM May 09, 2008 by ko maruyama in Second Life | Comments[0]
New Ableton Instruments
The Orchestral Instruments are available from the Ableton webshop as of May 5, 2008.
Posted at 12:00AM May 09, 2008 by ko maruyama in Music | Comments[0]
Where's Wes? AutomaticDuck
Here in Los Angeles we were lucky to catch a preview of Automatic Duck 4.02 at DMA/LA, the NAB attendees got to see it in Vegas last month.
Where will Wes be next? Look for the duck
SF Cutters (San Francisco FCP UG) - May 29
http://www.sfcutters.org/
Moving Pictures Collective (NY FCP UG) - June 12
http://www.movingpicturescollective.org/
If you use Avid, Adobe After Effects, FCP, Combustion, Quantel, ProTools, you probably know about Automatic Duck - - especially if you work with other people, or with other software applications in this list.
HOW ABOUT TOON BOOM?? Huh? Yeah. Storyboard Pro is a great paperless alternative for sketching ideas and even making little animated animatics. TBSBP has all of the tools you'd expect for your storyboarding needs, but because it's vector software at its heart - it can do much more too.
Now, any FCP editor with Pro Import FCP 2.0 can edit your storyboard (and they can still edit Avid and ProTools material as well of course) - and you can get back to your Previz work or animation layouts.
We use TBSBP as part of the PIXELCORPS pipeline, and it works really well (and easily) within the group.
If you want to get the bundle (StoryBoard Pro and Automatic Duck Pro Import FCP, you can save $300.
SF Cutters (San Francisco FCP UG) - May 29
http://www.sfcutters.org/
Moving Pictures Collective (NY FCP UG) - June 12
http://www.movingpicturescollective.org/
Posted at 09:29AM May 08, 2008 by ko maruyama in Events | Comments[0]
beatboxin' Dave
Anime Studio is from EFrontier, now turned Smith Micro. There's a bunch of community stuff that you can find around the internet. Be warned that you can lose hours of your life to some of the bad stuff, but there is a pile of fun animation out there as well. It's amazing what a simple application can do in the hands of some humourous animators... here are a couple entries from Mikedog (no, not Mike Doig: yeah I thought so too)
Posted at 12:00AM May 08, 2008 by ko maruyama in Visual | Comments[0]
ballistic's EXPOSE 6 is out
Posted at 11:03AM May 07, 2008 by ko maruyama in Visual | Comments[0]
DAZ videos
DAZ just came out with some new software revisions, and with it - a reminder that there are plenty of videos to help you get started with the software.
One of the features that they've added to the latest version of software is the ability to control subdivision surfaces, which will give you wonderfully smooth renders.. but how do you do it? Check out the site's new tutorials, and you can see even more straight from YouTube:
Posted at 12:00AM May 07, 2008 by ko maruyama in Tutorials | Comments[0]
DVD Association Conference
Posted at 10:36AM May 06, 2008 by ko maruyama in Events | Comments[0]
$14 SteadyCam (kinda)
You know Johnny Lee's crazy Wii aparatus (I can't believe you if you say you haven't seen it).
Well, now Johnny has put together a litttle kit so you can make a balanced camera rig. Many people have done this, but with Johnny's Wii fame, I'm sure there are more people looking at his little tripod rig. If you don't want to build it....
Posted at 10:00AM May 06, 2008 by ko maruyama in General | Comments[0]
frappr map of C4D freelancers
I can't remember when this frappr map thing started, but I can't believe that it's still in Beta. I guess that it'll be in beta until they sell it to someone, although I can't believe that google would sell any property.
I thought about it when rummaging through a YouTube group. Maybe there is someway to link the two....
Here's a great way to get spotted or to spot some freelancers in your area tho. This obscure little frappr/maxon map has over 43 pages of users.
Posted at 12:00AM May 06, 2008 by ko maruyama in Software | Comments[0]
Balut is not cool, but Zimmern is
Posted at 05:22PM May 05, 2008 by ko maruyama in Food | Comments[2]
free copies of Adobe CS3
Posted at 03:16PM May 05, 2008 by ko maruyama in Software | Comments[0]
step by step: SPEEDRACER bts
JOHN GAETA TALKS ABOUT SPEED RACER in the VRmag online article...
Posted at 01:09PM May 05, 2008 by ko maruyama in Visual | Comments[0]
DMO Blog Zone TIPS from Ninja Crayon
You don't have to be a master of the crayon to use BlogZone or be a Ninja Crayon.
-Here are some movies that will help you start your own blog here and really take advantage of the tools on DMOBlogZone.
BLOG FAQ MOVIES - NEW
This is also an open invitation
for people who don't necessarily consider themselves bloggers, but want
to write an occasional post about their digital life.
It's pretty easy.... Easier than doing what Pete does...
***
Posted at 01:00AM May 05, 2008 by ko maruyama in Tutorials | Comments[7]
Mothers Day: 3D Flower
As an experiment, John Haley put together a 3D flower for a mothers day promo, and with it, a procedural texture. Of course, you could always scan a real petal of a flower, then map it to the geometry, but in CINEMA4D it is really easy to create a detailed texture, then modify it (either numerically or through BodyPaint 3D)...
Posted at 12:00AM May 05, 2008 by ko maruyama in Tutorials | Comments[1]
Adobe Event... Online...
Posted at 12:00AM May 02, 2008 by ko maruyama in Events | Comments[0]
congratulations to Tony Farley
Posted at 12:00AM May 01, 2008 by ko maruyama in Visual | Comments[1]
Do Damage #2
Welll.. It's too late for you to get Damaged for cheap, but you can still check out a demo for free, and you can see two of Tim's videos for free as well....
http://www.digieffects.com/
Here's how to use Damage....
Tim
shows us how to get started with the new DigiEffets plugin called
DAMAGE. Don't forget to visit them during the NAB show to find out
more cool stuff from the company as well:
VIDEO 1
http://www.digieffects.com/tutorial/damage/index.html
VIDEO 2
http://www.digieffects.com/tutorial/damage/skew-tutorial.html
Posted at 12:00AM May 01, 2008 by ko maruyama in Tutorials | Comments[0]
DUDE YOU'RE GETTIN A DELL....ivery of funny video
DUDE YOU'RE GETTIN A DELL....ivery of funny video
It's Steve the Dell Dude... as only Deepak can deliver him.
If you haven't checked out MOJO's new show: THE CIRCUIT, you need to.
.....read on....
Posted at 12:00AM May 01, 2008 by ko maruyama in Visual | Comments[0]
Making It Looks Great: part deux
I just got MILG2, Alan Shisko's DVD that breaks down a bunch of cool tricks to creating broadcast news graphics.
You don't have to be a news graphic designer to appreciate the DVD, I'm sure - - there are all kinds of handy tips that will help you execute your design in ways you may have never considered.
Maybe I'll put together a full write up on it... stay tuned.
If you can't wait for the write up, you can purchase the DVD through the MILG website: http://makingitlookgreat.com/
You can't top out your gas tank for $50, but you can top off your tricks - check out the series (THREE TO DATE- WITH A FOURTH ON THE WAY!).
Learning how to think like a designer Effective project workflow Pro-level modeling and texturing with Zaxwerks Invigorator Pro Advanced techniques for transforming and deforming Invigorator objects Building dynamic transitions using text Beyondtheordinary background design Creative color grading with blend modes Quick and easy lower third design Mastering the After Effects Graph Editor Tips and tricks for taking control of masks.
Posted at 12:00AM Apr 30, 2008 by ko maruyama in Software | Comments[0]
Doozla : Little, little kid software
click image to see review + movie
Posted at 04:05PM Apr 29, 2008 by ko maruyama in General | Comments[0]
MOGUL IS HERE...
Mogul is rolling... wanna be a movie mogul? Imagineer has come out with their own digital pipeline which allows you to cross reference movies and changes, make tweaks, add notes and ensure that there are no missed steps in the workflow. check this out: Link to NAB presentation - here you go:
Posted at 10:28AM Apr 29, 2008 by ko maruyama in Software | Comments[0]
Poser Pro: quick look
Poser has been around for a long time. Through the years, the software has been used to produce many different types of character animations.
From simple illustration poses to broadcast animation, Poser continues to be a great, cost-effective solution for animators and non-animators to design character elements quickly and easily.
Posted at 10:11AM Apr 29, 2008 by ko maruyama in General | Comments[0]
POSER PRO goes gold
Previously, Poser Pro had been covered as part of Siggraph (what's next), but the software has finally made it to GM. (More on that later). Here's an old interview with Rathmann:creativemac
else: movie
.
And. for more: another:
creativemac.com
Steve Rathmann had a chance to show me some of the new features and in this short movie clip (see below), he was able to demo how the the new HDR potential can allow you to quickly modify the image after you've finished rendering it.
Poser Pro now supports the COLLADA exchange format for content production, pre-visualization, gaming and film production, and offers the ability to fully host Poser scenes in professional applications such as Maxon?s CINEMA 4D, Autodesk?s 3ds Max and Maya, and....
Posted at 08:25AM Apr 29, 2008 by ko maruyama in Software | Comments[0]
modcast is up: Brad talks to John Knoll!
In this extended edition modcast Brad gets a chance to talk to John Knoll, inventor of the digital lens flare, co-creator of Photoshop, 22 year Industrial Light Magic veteran and current modo user. They like John.
Hellz yeah - we all give props to John... listen here. (hear here?):
http://www.luxology.com/modcast/audio.aspx?id=41
Posted at 12:00AM Apr 29, 2008 by ko maruyama in General | Comments[0]
mimozine #2 is out! ^_^
Issue 2 of the MIMOZINE Digital Magazine is here, and making its first appearance on the tokidoki for MIMOBOT series!
Posted at 12:00AM Apr 28, 2008 by ko maruyama in Toys & Games | Comments[0]
artspace / NVidia Winners
NVIDIA announced their winners. It's a subjective call... and there were many too close to call, but they had to come up with 1st, 2nd, 3rd...
Artists from around the world were invited to submit computer-generated imagery of ?awe-inspiring fusions? of architecture and landscapes, with an emphasis on imagination and artistic expression. The winning submissions can be viewed online at http://events.cgsociety.org/NVArt/02/winners.php.
Posted at 12:00AM Apr 28, 2008 by ko maruyama in General | Comments[0]
modbook days compiled
They're all here: Click each day to find the articles for each day. Day 5 is an overview of the week-long experience with the modbook.
a
Mac fanboy. I'm a tablet/stylus user. I hardly ever touch my mouse at
all. So when I heard about the Axiotron Modbook - a macbook with a
Wacom face, I had to check it out. On the day it arrived, it appeared
to be everything I hoped for. In the following days, I'd take notes
and try to break out of my standard workflow shell.
READ MORE on CreativeMac
I've booted, shut down, slept and done a bunch of stuff to the modbook
that might simulate how I might use it (or abuse it) in a real world
environment.
I hate to admit it, but it's held up pretty well.
My hardware is better than your hardware.
You
can't get around it, but the reality is that when the hardware does
what it's supposed to do and can perform well when you ask it to,
that's what the hardware should be. It's no fair to make up specs to
win the argument though.
I've
always had a keyboard, so there has never been a need to use the Ink
Utility that comes with the Mac OS, but since using the modbook - I
realize that there is a very good use for it.
There are some
limitations to the application, but it adds a lot of functionality to
the modbook which otherwise only has a floating software keyboard.
After
Read the long bit at CREATIVEMAC.com
Posted at 12:00AM Apr 28, 2008 by ko maruyama in General | Comments[0]
Photoshop / Mac / Political humor
My friends know where I sit politically and religiously - no reason to bring it into public flame wars, but sometimes when you see software supported humor - you want to share. This one from a twitter lead: slobzilla
tag: Bush knock / Photoshop Error -
disclaimer: my tech (photoshop) Republican friends laughed at this one too. (yes they exist!) (Also: McCain banner ads on author's site)
Posted at 10:04AM Apr 25, 2008 by ko maruyama in Visual | Comments[2]
pixeljunk
oh. need the English version. And I thought DTT was addictive.
Posted at 12:00AM Apr 25, 2008 by ko maruyama in Toys & Games | Comments[0]
New After Effects Tutorial!
If you missed Angie at NAB this year (she's usually in the Artbeats booth), not to fear - she has a brand new AE/Artbeats tutorial online!
[Read More]Posted at 01:12PM Apr 24, 2008 by ko maruyama in Tutorials | Comments[0]
watch, people. watchmen
watchmen the movie.... I knew this was coming. yet I still dread and loath its arrival. doesn't matter how good it looks. sigh...
gollum as captain haddock in upcoming TinTin movie
russell hammond as osterman?
I mean, I suppose I like Andy Serkis and Billy Crudup as actors, but I just don't see them in these other roles.
Don't people read comic books anymore?
Don't people write original screenplays anymore?
I'm optimistic that Zack Snyder will do an awesome job with it.
If you want to be a part of Watchmen, check out the ongoing contest.....
Posted at 12:00AM Apr 24, 2008 by ko maruyama in Events | Comments[2]
MAXON / cinema4D +1 module SPRING SALE
Maxon Spring Special - Cinema 4D + Module Offer
Posted at 02:41PM Apr 23, 2008 by ko maruyama in Software | Comments[0]
cool audio : ableton live 7
If I didn't have so much work to do, I would totally be playing with the audio tools found in the new Ableton Live 7 Essential Instrument Collection. I sat with Josh Falcon for a demo of the software yesterday.... damn.
It helps when a skilled musician makes it look so easy. but damn. damnnn. It sounds so sweet - and the midi control. Hey those 9 years of piano lessons have to come in handy somewhere. Although I'm completely unfamiliar with the drum finger pads - Josh has countless versions in the studio.
Another musician came into the demo and kept making the same "ooo, cooool" noiss that I am prone to when I see great new video software. creativemac
Posted at 02:31PM Apr 23, 2008 by ko maruyama in Music | Comments[0]
SEEN AT NAB: opposite Boris
So I stood around for Steve Oakley's presentation.... Twice! Michele! Of course we know that there are a ton of BorisFX that you CAN put into a project, doesn't mean you have to go through them all. You were giving the total coverage demo!
Michele Yamazaki was giving full After Effects/Boris classes - not just a little demo, and people were diligently taking notes. Right across the walkway was TriCaster/NewTek monster booth and... Kiki
Posted at 12:00AM Apr 23, 2008 by ko maruyama in Visual | Comments[1]
Happy Earth Day
Happy Earth Day!
NASA and NOAA have great sat photos. Roll your own with these:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=earth+textures&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Posted at 07:48AM Apr 22, 2008 by ko maruyama in General | Comments[0]
