Tutorials - how would you rate them?
rampart_1576840087
Posts: 504
Anyone used these, if so how would you rate them? The prices are for the current promotion.
http://www.daz3d.com/3d-time-saver-get-more-done-in-less-time
$23.99
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-mentoring-dvd-videos-scenes-and-resources
$23.99
http://www.daz3d.com/3d-light-master
$14.09
http://www.daz3d.com/advanced-carrara-techniques
$29.99
http://www.daz3d.com/carrara-8-5-tutorial-video-11-5-hours-long-instant-digital-download
$29.99
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-7-1-pro-high-resolution-terrains-set-3
$10.49
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-7-1-pro-space-construction-kit
$8.99
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-7-1-pro-high-resolution-terrains-set-4
$10.49
I would appreciate to read any recommendations or complaints.
Thanks,
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Comments
That's like asking "I need to learn something. What classes should I take?" :)
It depends on what level you're at, what you want to learn, what format do you learn best with, and on and on.
I am iclone user for over 3 years.
Have not done much with Daz products up to now, except to pass some obj and fbx files throught iclone 3DXchange into iclone.
My work is video produciton using animated and live actors.
I am not seeking advice for what I need to buy, but more to learn what tools are competently regarded by yourself or others.
My interest at this time is Carrara 8.5pro and Bryce 7.1
I don't use Bryce, so I haven't purchased any of the Bryce tutorials you've mentioned and can't really rate them.
As far as the ones from Dreamlight, I highly *don't* recommend them at all. I've purchased a few Dreamlight tutorials at what were considered 'sale' prices and which were still way, way, way overpriced for what they claimed to teach (and didn't). For example Dreamlight offered a modeling course that claimed it would make me an expert in using, among other programs, Carrara for modeling, but it was obvious from the very first video that the guy who was teaching knew almost nothing about Carrara at all (it was seriously almost laughably bad). His teaching style in every video tut I've ever watched from him is to wander aimlessly with no real lesson plan, doodling on the screen and filling up the time talking about... whatever. Really, really didn't like his stuff. Others swear by it though, but I would never purchase any more of his products. One of his courses was on posing techniques and I nearly fell out of my chair laughing when his suggestion was to 'buy pre-made poses'. Yeah, thanks for the expert advice there, lol :)
Now the PhilW tutorials I can highly recommend. You'll see PhilW here in the forums often,, he's a real expert, friendly and always willing to help out or answer questions. His courses are very well organized, easy to follow, and very informative, he has a real gift for teaching in my opinion, plus his progression of teaching makes good common sense. My favorite/most valuable purchase over the past year was his Realism Rendering in Carrara course:
http://www.daz3d.com/carrara-realism-rendering-training-video
which I consider a 'must have' for anyone who is rendering in Carrara (I realize from past posts you may be rendering mostly in iclone so this may inform your decision and maybe not be as much of a 'must have' for you)
I can highly recommend his Advanced Carrara Techniques course (both this and the Learning Carrara course were priced too high for me initially, but I won the Advanced Techniques course in one of the Carrara challenges a few months back). However I self-learned what I know of basic Carrara techniques right here in the forums by asking dumb questions. From your posts I infer that you may be on a timeline and need to get the basics down fast, if so I can recommend the 'Learning Carrara' course. Even though I don't have it yet myself, I will be purchasing it before the day is out because even if it is just aiming to cover the basics, there's still tons I don't know about animation, modeling, etc and I'm really glad there's a sale on right now :)
For what it's worth, I'm also going to be picking up mmoir's Carrara Modeling Tutorials before the end of the day too http://www.daz3d.com/carrara-modeling-tutorials
Mike does excellent work, also is very helpful and knowledgeable here in the forums, and at 70% off I feel almost like I'm stealing the dang thing (at $5.39, wow).
You can't go wrong with either of these guys imo, and were I in your shoes I would shy away from anything Dreamlight puts out (way way overpriced, even if it's on sale) and if your serious about making Carrara part of your pipeline (and why wouldn't you be since it's so incredibly full featured) I would definitely at least pick up PhilW's 'Learning Carrara 8.5' and probably if you've got the scratch also get the 'Advanced Techniques' from him as well. And mmoir's Modeling Tutorials too (unless you absolutely never plan to do any modeling... but I can promise you eventually we all end up in the vertex room modeling something, sooner or later, it's just too cool to resist)
The last 3 Bryce ones that you mention I wouldn't really call tutorials. THey are more products with videos showing you how to use those products They are good, but not truly tutorials as such
The Bryce mentoring DVD on the other hand is excellent, covers a terrific amount of stuff. Even Experienced Brycers have bought it, and learned things they didn't know
Szark recommends dreamlight's light master course here: http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/10835/ I'd recommend that you look at one of dreamlight's free videos because he has a very particular teaching style that some people don't like. If you are interested in buying his stuff I'd recommend joining his mailing list (warning very high traffic) because he has a lot of sales. Currently he's selling the LM and 3d time saver courses for $10 on his website. I'll pm you a link. His youtube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/user/Dreamlight3D
For myself while I do find his courses somewhat longwinded - I put that down to him not being a native English speaker, I have found them useful. Other people may have different views.
For the bryce videos you might want to check the bryce forum: http://www.daz3d.com/forums/categories/38/ but I know that the authors are very active over there and have produced a ton of very highly rated free videos.
High traffic is a very polite way of describing spam.
I can't speak to the Bryce or Dreamlight products one way or the other.
I found the PhilW Carrara tutorials extremely helpful to me. I highly recommend them. They cover a wide variety of Carrara topics, from the basics of inserting and controlling lights, to shading domains and complex shaders, to basic modeling in each of Carrara's modelers, to the realistic sky settings, to.... If you are already familiar with the basics of Carrara, I would still highly recommend the "Realism" tutorial.
I also highly recommend the vertex modeling in Carrara tutorial by Mmoir. But note, if you are already comfortable with another vertex modeler like Hexagon or Blender, then you might not be very interested in modeling in Carrara.
Like Joe says, it depends on what your intended use is.
Wow!!! Get these!
Phil Wilkes Tutorials!!!
I can't believe that price! I keep telling folks that the Advanced Carrara Techniques set comes with far beyond the asking price in content alone, in the working files that come with it... but the tutorials are even more valuable! Oh yeah... get as many of these as you can get your hands on while this sale lasts... Highly Recommended!!!
I don't have much to add here that hasn't already been. If you want to learn Carrara, then get Phil Wilkes' stuff. Hands down, no contest.
DreamLight's training flat-out sucks. It is a huge waste of money. Light Master in particular is quite weak - spend that money on Jeremy Birn's excellent book "Lighting & Rendering" instead. Far greater investment.
The nude rendering "training" is utterly laughable - buy a Playboy magazine for the pictures, you will learn more from that, I guarantee it. I'll sum up DreamLight's entire knowledge of nude renders for you, "Women have curves." I'll second Jon's thoughts on DL's advice to buy pre-made poses...in short, there is not one second of original thought in that training. That's the DreamLight "quality" you get.
Once you sign up for Dream-Lounge, you will be flooded with unapologetic spam; at least 2 per day. Where DreamLight will happily insult you and all customers who think that is excessive (been there, done that).
I will add this, lest I am perceived as being too negative...DreamLight will sometimes team-up with Jason White from 2Create for some training packages. Jason's style is great and I do endorse that heartily (Model Master 2 comes to mind). Be aware that Jason uses LightWave in his training but much of what he shows can be ported to other 3D packages.
I am curious about DL's forest scene creation training (delivered by Jason if I recall). But I cannot stomach giving one penny more to DL.
I will second that....no wait....I am biased! I don't think these have ever been cheaper though!
I recommend it from the point of view is that it won't hold your hand through lighting scenes but gives a better understanding of different lights and how to use them to replicate certain aspects of light. For me it made me look at light from a different perspective, some might not need that info, they may get there on their own. So yeah recommending education on certain aspects and topics is very subjective. However I do agree with Jonstark on many valid points.
I was daft enough to spend $3 or $5 on this in a recent sale. There was 10 minutes on building a tree model using 'box modelling' - it got as far as a trunk and one branch, nothing more. 45 minutes on building a lupin through a mix of box modelling for the stem and placards for the flowers and leaves (probably half the tutorial was spent making the placard textures - useful if you don't know how to, but PhilW has done something very similar). The rest of the training was spent building a 'forest' from the stumpy box tree, the lupins and a bunch more placard trees. Oh, and IvyGen.
You got the feeling that the videos would have been half the length if they'd thought about what they were going to do and say beforehand (& practiced & scripted it).
I have a couple projects underway now.
My concern is whether I can export the following Bryce terrain sets competently into iclone.
The price seems OK, even cheap.
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-7-1-pro-high-resolution-terrains-set-3
$10.49
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-7-1-pro-high-resolution-terrains-set-4
$10.49
The Space Construction is just for fun
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-7-1-pro-space-construction-kit
$8.99
I have read the literature on the above content items, but could not find whether I can edit them as I might need.
The mentoring DVD looked like a good purchase, because the author appears to use a learn as you go approach to Bryce.
It is always good to follow a structured approach to learning, especially when you don't have alot of time to follow your nose to learn.
I watched a few videos on Bryce. The GUI looks so simple. It is deceiving how complex the application actually is from what I see.
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-mentoring-dvd-videos-scenes-and-resources
$23.99
I have a couple projects underway now.
My concern is whether I can export the following Bryce terrain sets competently into iclone.
The price seems OK, even cheap.
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-7-1-pro-high-resolution-terrains-set-3
$10.49
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-7-1-pro-high-resolution-terrains-set-4
$10.49
The Space Construction is just for fun
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-7-1-pro-space-construction-kit
$8.99
I have read the literature on the above content items, but could not find whether I can edit them as I might need.
The mentoring DVD looked like a good purchase, because the author appears to use a learn as you go approach to Bryce.
It is always good to follow a structured approach to learning, especially when you don't have alot of time to follow your nose to learn.
I watched a few videos on Bryce. The GUI looks so simple. It is deceiving how complex the application actually is from what I see.
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-mentoring-dvd-videos-scenes-and-resources
$23.99
You would be better to ask Bryce specific questions in the Bryce forum, where the 2 PAs in question are always around.
I created a thread on Bryce Forums here is link >
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/51124/
Wow...kind harsh... :)
I think it's safe to say that no matter what training an "expert" offers, SOMEBODY will find it useful. You can produce a 1 hour video on how to get dressed in the morning, and someone will find it awesome and very useful. Which is why any discussion of training must center around what exactly the student needs. One person's "awesome training" is another person's "huh? I didn't understand a word of it...what a waste", and yet another's "geez, everyone knows that stuff"
So I always recommend that students first decide what they want to learn about, and what their needs are. And the second step is to evaluate the people who are providing the training. The internet is filled with self-proclaimed experts who actually have little or no real background or training in the subject.
For example, the trainer in question describes on one of his websites how his background is actually as a cameraman in Swedish porn. From there he somehow morphed into and "Online Marketing Expert and Coach" who is "Helping you make money online, starting today", and has multiple marketing and "make money now!!" websites under an alias. And then somehow he morphed into a "3D graphics expert".
Doesn't mean his training is useless to everyone. Like I said, there's always someone who finds any training useful. And that's good. However, if you want the best bang for your buck over the long term, then it's best, IMO, to find someone who has a really solid background and knows what they're talking about.
Which is why I always stress training by industry recognized experts who have worked in the field. And it's why I stress learning the basics of 3D and visual effects, which applies across ALL the software out there. Once you learn the basics, then learning the software will be a piece of cake. For example, if you take a course in general modelling and UV mapping, you'll learn all the terms and tools and procedures, and then you can sit down at any software package and feel at home and understand what all the buttons and features are.
But most people here insist on learning the software first, so understandably it becomes a lot more difficult. Especially since most software manuals assume a knowledge of the basics. And BTW, the major disadvantage of focusing on learning the software is that, yeah, you might learn that "this button allows you to UV map the mesh", but you still might not really understand what a UV map is or the basics of why you need them or the best ways to apply them.
PhilW's and mmoir’s tutorials I can highly recommend to other Carrara users, especially Noobies !!!!!!
Dreamlights tutorials I found extremely useful when learning how to get better results in 3D.
He also currently has a Freebie here at DAZ, http://www.daz3d.com/the-pit
If you want value for money check carefully what you want and are after, then go for them when on sale.
Be careful that what is covered in one series is not covered in another.
As regards his email service there is an option to opt out if you find it's a bit too much (which I did).
Bryce I was nearly going to buy the training but decided to go down the Carrara path.
May still buy them at a later stage.
Bryce is a very useful program, and there are some excellent examples of the work it is capable of doing.
By the way, my analogy for learning the software before you learn the basics is this:
It's like buying a brand new car, but you never learned how to drive. So you get in the driver's seat, open the manual for the car, which tells you what all the buttons and knobs do, and trying to figure out how to drive the thing.
Yeah, at some point you'll find the section that shows you where the ignition is so you can start it, and where the gear shift lever is, and where the accelerator and brake pedals are, but if you don't how to use all those things, or what they're for, and you never learned how to start the car and drive it, it becomes very difficult and frustrating when you put it in reverse and nothing happens... or you back into a telephone pole. :)
Or even worse...you somehow manage to get the car on the street, and you're trying to figure what the white stripe is in the middle of the road...is that where you're supposed to drive? :) Nothing in the manual about that.... :)
I realize there can be differences of opinion on teaching methods, the content of the materials presented,etc.
This thread topic is:
Tutorials - how would you rate them?
The information shared helped me to make my decision.
Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Sorry, just trying to help...
I didn't realize you only wanted to consider those options on your list.
Maybe it helped someone else though.
There are also a number of DAZ3D & Bryce freebies if you have not already found them:-
(BUNDLES CONTAIN CONTENT AS WELL !!!!!)
http://www.daz3d.com/slaying-the-dragon-bundle
http://www.daz3d.com/day-at-the-beach-bundle
http://www.daz3d.com/inside-the-asylum-bundle
http://www.daz3d.com/sci-fi-warrior-bundle
http://www.daz3d.com/bryce-7-1-pro-golden-lighting
http://www.daz3d.com/golden-rules-composition-helpers-for-bryce
http://www.daz3d.com/7-steps-to-great-art-now
http://www.daz3d.com/great-art-now-quick-start
There is also the Great Art Now 1.1 to 9.1
http://www.daz3d.com/create-fiery-genesis-in-daz-studio
http://www.daz3d.com/shader-mixer-tutorial-i
Regards, Bunyip
Absolutely! I have gone through all of Phils video tutorials and they've cut years off the learning curve. I very highly recommend all of them!
OMG!!!
My Wonderful Wife, Rosie just bought the rest of the Infinite Skills sets for me... now I own them ALL!!!
I love learning from Phil, and now I have a whole new slew of Wilkes Bliss to absorb! :)
My wonderful wife just sent me down to the shops - reality check!
If you think your interest is in Carrara I'd suggest you forget about all those other tutorials.They will distract you from what you need to learn.
Carrara is not a five minute curve - neither are the others for that matter - its a question of focusing on what you want. So if you want to Use daz/poser characters - build scenery and plants - used dynamic forces, 3Dmodel and 3D paint , create dynamic hair, use replicators - create particles, create procedural shaders - have a good NLA animation system with graph editor - Lipsinc via a plugin [extra purchase] great lighting tools - a fast renderer................. and more Whew ! for $159 what better value ??
So for Carrara tutorials definitely get the first two series by Phil Wilkes on Carrara 8 but don't go past the VTC tutorials by Mark Bremmer for Carrara 7. Don't think because they were made for the older version you will get all the same info in Phil's. There is no duplication as such because each uncovers different things about Carrara's tools.
I expect you have seen many of the community tutotrials but here are a couple of links that help you locate what you want.
CarraraTors website http://bond3d.wix.com/carrarators#!home/mainPage
These are grouped to help find what you want but are mainly limited to animation topics.
Further Community tutorials are found at Carrar Café http://carraracafe.com/category/tutorials/
My principal interest in Daz3d was tweaked by a couple things.
Being an iclone user I was directed to the earth sculptor application for building terrains, which I purchased and used.
THe results have always been second rate.
Then couple months back iclone went to image height maps using earth sculptor and voila ... opened a whole new area fro me.
Still the tools in Earth Sculptor require alot of massage to get a half decent terrain kinda like Sculptris.
I found a youtube video on Carrara terrain building with export to iclone. It was excellent presentation and the quality of terrain was very excellent. This triggered my interest in Carrara. Wendy was always sharing on the Iclone forums as well with good tips and information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_AlabvKbt4
When I bought the Carrara I soon realized I needed help, so I Bought the Carrara 7.5 pro tutor by Mark Bremmer. Excellent tutorial series.
I was finished with the tutor and was working with the Carrara...then Daz3d did the promotion on the tutorials. Perfect timing.
I Bought all the PhilW's Carrara and as many Bryce tutorials as felt I would need. Yes. I don't need advanced Carrara or Bryce now. The prices were a 70% discount and I am anticipating to be able to learn from them during the coming months. It was a matter of buy it now and save money or wait and pay higher prices.
One thing I should say now, from my experience working with iclone for over three years. Carrara is not a Golden Child. Yet, Carrara does things that will make everything in 3d animation better for me. There is very little you can do to create any content in iclone with the simple primitives. At best, you can do some editiing on prebuilt content items. You can do some very complex content creation in Carrara in many areas, which is excellent.
I am still very much engaged with animated video production with iclone. Reallusion recently released a new IC6, wihch for discussion is a major rework of iclone. The rework is so extensive it will probably take months for Reallusion to develop and release ancillary applications that will realize the potential of iclone. I am not selling iclone here. I started with iclone and that was all I have known for the past several years.
iclone makes an import export application, which facilitates the use of other applications for content...i.e., sketchup, Carrara, Daz3d studtio, etc. from obj fbx skp files. The new version of this application will allow obj export from iclone, which will really facilitate use with daz3d and other applications.
I read a posting where someone was disappointed and thought Carrara was not a front runner tool for Daz3d. I think the Daz3d studio is an awesome tool, but Carrara is as well. There some things in my experience can be done better, but I would be foolish to spout things that I don't have enough experience to "Really Know".
I am enjoying my venture into the Daz3d world.
Best regards, and thanks to everyone for taking an interest in this thread
I can recommend the infinite skills training videos, they are worth the money, they helped me a lot to learn the software and to improve my skills