Modeling - Portrait of a Girl

This DVD is quite in depth as you will see Loocas lead you through a realtime session of modeling a head. While this process has good and bad point, erring on the side of thoroughness is best for the beginners and intermediate modelers. This DVD is going to run you through start to finish from sketches to a fully detailed mesh modeled head.

The first few sections introduce the need for establishing references. The model we embark on this DVD is developed from real photograph references and we learn how to setup the photos and the importance of other references are touched on as it is important to include within the mesh topology not only the outward appearance but also the underlying effects of skeleton and muscle formations. Utilizing photographs and sketched curves we soon move onto the mesh modeling.

I note here that throughout this DVD we don't actually get any introduction to 3DS Max's tools. In addition there is an introduction to the script addon Orionflame but throughout the DVD not much is explicitly mentioned on the use of Orionflame. However, because the DVD series is somewhat targeted as neutral resource a constant instruction with 3DS Max's tools could become distracting. Therefore, Max users may want to be familiar using poly mesh tools.

Within four videos we watch the entire head of a female be modeled. Using photo references and sketched curves the head is modeled using the edge extrusion method. Loocas has a clear instruction with clear english (throughout the series in fact) and covers the insights to head modeling. While the videos are lengthy, I would recommend watching all the way through at least once. Following that, you may want to bookmark important areas or rewatch on fast forward.

The last three videos cover the ear, eyes and final touches. All in all the videos are well organized and cover every nuance of modeling the female head from the references included with the DVD.

UV Mapping - Portrait of a Girl

UVWS Theory : Loocas spends time illustrating the need to constrain textures to the UV space. This portion of the lesson is application nonspecific and you will learn the need and reason why proportion and layout is necessary. The lesson is short and to the point, and for those people not used to what UV space is, this is a necessary lesson.

Mapping Techniques : As I mentioned in the introduction we will see Loocas demonstrate the different mapping techniques. The first technique covered is using 3DS Max's pelt mapping tools. The lesson covers using the tool and its options as well doing the manual editing required to clean the mesh. UV mapping is not a glorious job and no matter how one can try it is next to impossible to make it entertaining, however the tecniques are the same and for the most part the important critiques are covered near the beginning and end portions. For you non-Max users, the lesson following is the classic mapping portion. In fact, this lesson is beneficial whether you use max or not. Even though pelt mapping gets you a long way along, it is not the last UV operation you'll do. Through both exercises you will see and hear methods of laying out UV's to prevent stretching and also useful tweak methods to fine tune your UV map.

Mapping the Eyes : Mapping eyes? Crazy, it's sphere map. Hmmm.. you really think so eh?? Watch and find out why this isn't the case.

Fine Tuning & Alternate Mapping : The last bit of the DVD has Loocas showing some tips on cleaning and optimizing the UV mesh for cleanliness and texture stretch prevention.

There really isn't a lot one can do to keep UV mapping fun to watch considering that the job is tedious at best. However, what is important is that the DVD shows you in real-time the UV unwrapping

Texture Painting - Portrait of a Girl

The last DVD in the series covers the painting of textures for the girl's head. Again, Loocas' attention to detail is there to help newcomers to understand the value of how to size a texture. The texture painting is covered with Photoshop CS2 however the techniques shown should apply to any paint program that can utilize layers, custom brushes, and alpha maps. While there is not Photoshop explicit training, Loocas does explain what he is doing and primarily sticks to the menu bars for tool selection. However, having some experience with Photoshop is going to help you along.

The DVD is layed out pretty much how one might go about painting a texture. The DVD has explicit chapters on the painting of colour channel, specular channel and even a chapter devoted to eye textures. Again, with this DVD you see everything real time from beginning to end. Therefore, I recommend you watch it through once and take notes of the important areas for future viewing.

Through this DVD, Loocas explains everything he is doing and the tools he uses. You will see and learn how to use real images for a base and then sampling and cloning areas to produce a skin texture. In addition Loocas covers how to deal with the seams that you inevitably will have to deal with since every map has seams.

The Bottom Line:

The value you receive with this trio series set is hard to beat. The videos are all realtime work to model, uv and texture a human head. In addition the DVD's supply reference images and the content used with the DVD videos. My main criticism is two fold. Firstly, the sections can be quite long to watch where you may find 1 or 2 hours too lenthy to watch with still more parts to get through. Secondly, because the instruction is so in depth I think a summary of what is covered and where could be quite useful. When you have such an in depth it can be hard to find specifics to go back to. However,  take notes along the way and you're golden.

This series is definitely for the beginner to intermediate to be shown a project from start to finish and at the same time be shown a process that works with minimal technique flaws.