Pretty awesome

Due to a combination of busy home life, unexpected DIY adventures (water coming through walls) and challenging training schedule, I have to admit, I am sorely looking forward to some time off this weekend.

It’s on weeks like these that I have to step back and respect the challenge I’ve taken on and the great progress I’ve been able to make. On reflection, everything is pretty awesome.

Digital Tutors mini #fail

This week has been all about animation in Maya (clips, blends, poses, cycles), with some 3D Photoshop techniques thrown in as well. It has been one of those rare weeks where the Digital Tutors courses haven't quite kept up with the latest software versions, which has been a little frustrating at times.

It’s no biggy, but just feels like an unnecessary hurdle. But I have to say, I’ve generally been super impressed with the scope and quality of the Digital Tutors training material.

Maya Timewarps

Software-wise, I was quite surprised to find the Timewarp feature in the Maya Graph Editor doesn’t display frames but a percentage value instead which, as others have noted, is fairly awkward to work with. I guess no software is perfect, even at £3k a license!

Image-based Lighting

On another note, the mirror ball has arrived, so as soon as the sun comes out again I will see if I can capture some HDRI environments.