Digital-Tutors announced the availability of INTRODUCTION TO XSI training kit, a comprehensive training resource for SOFTIMAGE|XSI. A free trial of SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.4.2 Foundation is included with "Introduction to XSI" training kits, allowing users immediate access to explore the software and expand their skills.

Renowned digital modeler Zack Petroc (SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW) will teach a five-week course in Digital Sculpting of the Human Form at Gnomon Workshop. This course will run on Mondays from 7:00 to 10:00 pm, beginning Aug. 8 and running through Sept. 5. Those interested can register online, in person, via fax or postal service. For more information call 323/466-6663.

Children's digital media and publishing company FableVision Inc. extends its educational products offerings with the acquisition of the award-winning GET A CLUE software program from the Core Learning Group Llc as well as the release of its new ESSAY EXPRESS software product.

The Gnomon Workshop, in conjunction with Design Studio Press, has introduced three new instructional DVDs from artist Bob Kato, who shows the artist how to draw and paint the adult male head.

CG training facility Escape Studios offered new details about the new “VFX|Production Grade” initiative previously announced last spring. Launching in October 2005, this new course, which is funded by the Skillset Film Skills Fund, offers the most intensive and focused production training available for the aspiring CG artist. The free program consists of five months of full-time training at Escape Studios working on production projects followed by a two-month work placement at a top U.K. post-house.

Pixel Corps, the global learning guild for aspiring and professional digital craftsman, has launched a new open enrollment policy. For a nominal monthly fee, Pixel Corps now offers its members unrestricted access to advanced digital media software (valued at more than $20,000), a comprehensive global learning community and extensive online training on a variety of products ranging from Adobe Photoshop and Apple Shake to Luxology modo and SOFTIMAGE|XSI.

The Gnomon Workshop, in conjunction with Design Studio Press, has introduced three new titles from matte painting artist Dylan Cole.

Dylan Cole brings to The Gnomon Workshop years of experience working as a matte painter and concept artist for film, television and video games. He has worked on such films as RETURN OF THE KING, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, I, ROBOT, VAN HELSING, SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, and THE AVIATOR.

Friedman 3D, will be starting a new semester on July 5th, 2005. Instruction will be provided in award-winning Alias Maya from 8:00am to 3:00pm Monday through Friday. There will be an additional class offered in Adobe After Effects that runs from 3:00-6:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The cost for classes is $75 and $25 respectively, plus a $25 registration fee. Those collecting unemployment benefits from EDD may qualify for collecting those benefits while a full-time student at Friedman 3D.

Sony Pictures Imageworks officially announced the establishment of the Imageworks Professional Academic Excellence (IPAX) program, created to educate faculty and structure curricula at the country’s leading academic institutions in an effort to develop future talent who will contribute to the overall growth of the visual effects industry.

Digital-Tutors announced the worldwide availability of the highly awaited BASICS: INTRODUCTION TO REALFLOW training kit — the first in-depth training resource for RealFlow. An evaluation version of RealFlow 3, is included with the training kits, allowing users immediate access to the software and training.

Vi Ly has been appointed as the new Dean of Academic
Affairs for The Art Institute of California – Los Angeles, where she had been serving as the assistant dean of Academic Affairs since 2004. Previously she was department chair of the Media Arts & Animation and Game Art & Design programs.

wondertouch announced PARTICLEILLUSION FUSION VOLUME 1: THE FUSION OF ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS AND WONDERTOUCH PARTICLEILLUSION, the first training DVD in the new Creative Cow Master Series.

PARTICLEILLUSION FUSION is designed to teach experienced and beginning level users of particleIllusion, wondertouch's award-winning, sprite-based particle effects software application, how to work efficiently with After Effects, Adobe's leading motion graphics and visual effects software.

Digital-Tutors has released the MAYA IN PRODUCTION: FUNDAMENTALS OF ANIMATION training kit, the fifth installment in the popular Backwater Bunch Series and latest release in a growing library of industry leading training resources for emerging digital artists.

The Gnomon Workshop, in conjunction with Design Studio Press, introduced two new DVDs from returning artist Harald Belker, whose titles cover car and prop design for films and games. In addition, Nick Pugh joins the library this month, offering three noteworthy DVDs on design originality, creature design and environment rendering.

Ex’pression College for Digital Arts has appointed Kirk Engel as ceo, replacing Peter Laanen. Engel comes to Ex’pression with nearly 10 years of dedicated education management experience, and will execute and implement a clear set strategic direction, market position and education vision for Ex’pression.

Digital-Tutors announced the worldwide availability of the MAYA ADVANCED: ULTIMATE FLUIDS training kit, the follow-up to the popular MAYA UNLIMITED: FLUID EFFECTS and latest release in a growing library of industry leading training resources for emerging digital artists. Using the combination of comprehensive project-driven training, Digital-Tutors is helping users to discover the difference and become their best in more than 3.5 hours of valuable training.

Registration for summer term 2005 at the Gnomon School, which runs from June 27 through Sept. 11, is in full swing. You can register online at www.gnomon3d.com/registernow.html, in person, via mail or by fax. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. You can also call (323) 466-6663 to make an appointment.

Gnomon has added five new courses that echo the advances and changes in the industry:

Alias now offers two new Learning Tools: PIPELINE TECHNIQUES|MAYA AND ALIAS MOTIONBUILDER and MAYA TECHNIQUES|MAYA FLUID EFFECTS examine areas of Maya relatively unexplored by Learning Tool authors prior to now. Both tools further complete a full range of Learning Tools that offer 3D professionals, students and enthusiasts a collection of books and DVDs for self-paced learning.

Ex’pression College for Digital Arts has appointment Scott Tolmie as director of Industry Relations/Career Development Visual.

Before joining Ex’pression, Tolmie was animation art director at LeapFrog, where he led the creative development of new characters for the LEAPSTER educational gaming platform. He was also exec producer with Way Out West Animation, where he developed Flash animation and interface design for medical clients, including Heartbeat Digital.

Toon Boom Animation announced that Algonquin College has chosen Toon Boom Harmony as part of its three-year Animation program. Algonquin’s program provides students with training in both traditional and digital animation. Following a first year of studies, students have the option of pursuing either traditional or digital animation. They learn the skills necessary to work effectively as animators in a variety of settings. Graduates acquire the skills necessary to work independently, collaboratively and in studio settings.