My Students 2009

For those of you that don't know. I have had the privilege to teach a couple of courses for the CGT department during my graduate studies. This has truly been a rewarding experience that has had a lasting impression.

I teach 2 courses. CGT 221 is an Introductory course to 3ds Max and Architectural Visualization. Students in this course are charged to both learn the software and reproduce an interior with acceptable renders at the end of the semester. This semester has by far been the most successful.

I am very proud to present the best of the class (in no particular order):





















The other class I teach is Introduction to Animation and 3ds Max. Students are responsible for learning the basics of all pieces of the production pipeline. They are required to storyboard, create an animatic, model, texture, light, rig, animate, render, and use After Effects to compile their work into a narrative storyline. This class is very taxing on all the students, but the work keeps getting better and better. We really emphasized production value this year. I am very proud of these students' work as well.

Here are the top 4 of this semester (in no particular order):

CGT 241 Best of 2009 from Zeb Wood on Vimeo.

If IUPUI were Hogwarts, these '1st years' have just mastered the Petronus Charm. Geek-out.

If you are a past student (not 2009) please feel free to post a link to your video as a comment!

I'm Sold. Autodesk Mudbox 2009.

One of the latest CG Society Feature Articles went over the newest Mudbox 2009 release. Simply, amazing potential. Bravo to Autodesk for investing in the product and backing its refinement! I never thought I would steer from ZBrush's fluidity. But I think I may veer off course and take the plunge.

For those of you new to 3D, and are asking "What the hell is this ump-teenth Autodesk release you speak of Zeb?!" I answer. ~ The one you have been waiting for kiddies!

I won't go into every little feature, but the 2 features that stood out primarily to me was in the "realtime shadows, reflection mapping, ambient occlusion mapping and depth of field." Mudbox can handle well into the 30 millions of poly's as well! Thats like sculpting with water ladies and gentlemen... I saw this demo live @ SIGGRAPH 2008 in L.A. and I had to pick my tongue off of the floor.

Game changing software capability # 2 for me is the ability to model and paint in different subdivisions on different layers and at the same time be able to control the opacity and multiplier effects of each layer in combination or individually with the ease of painting alpha maps! "WTF?!" you ask... Unlimited control I answer.



I leave you with some goodies~


The famous Mudbox frog


Harsh Borah


Danny Williams


Peter Zoppi

If you want to see the full article check out it out at CG Society.

Looking forward to the summer. Muscle project is almost complete, and I want to make creatures again. Now with Mudbox 2009.