Alias announced its full lineup of new Maya Learning Tools to accompany Maya 6, the latest version of its 3D animation and special effects software. Maya Learning Tools are books and DVDs that offer self-paced learning for 3D professionals, students and enthusiasts. Alias will release dozens of DVDs and books in the coming months for a variety of learning levels, many in time for SIGGRAPH (Aug. 8-12 in Los Angeles), including the Beginner's series for novices to beginners; the Discover Series that has specific market focus for novices to intermediate users; the Learning series for beginner to intermediate users; and the Techniques series for intermediate to advanced users. Maya Learning Tools are priced from $19.99 and are available at www.alias.com/learningtools.
Maya Learning Tools are authored by in-house Maya software experts and by industry experts. This year's focus provides self-paced tools for specific markets and for working with Maya software and specific graphics applications such as the upcoming joint venture book with Sybex Publishing titled, CREATING STRIKING GRAPHICS WITH PHOTOSHOP AND MAYA.
"With every new release of software, Alias focuses on quickly delivering self-paced Learning Tools for all levels of learners so that they can rapidly understand and utilize new features and functionality," says Danielle Lamothe, product manager, books and training at Alias. "We then look beyond the basics and bring to the Maya community, Learning Tools that are for specific markets such as game development, print and publishing, product design, illustration, Web design and architectural visualization."
One of the unique advantages of the Maya Techniques series is the opportunity to learn from some of the 3D industry's most talented artists through the presentation of their real world projects. A few of the 3D artists authoring new Maya Techniques Learning Tools include: Oscar-nominated animator Chris Landreth, who will present "Maya Techniques | The Making of RYAN"; Jeremie Talbot from LucasArts presenting "Maya Techniques | Character Articulation for Games"; and Erick Miller from Digital Domain and Paul Thuriot from Tippett Studios, who jointly penned "Maya Techniques | Advanced Character Pipeline."
New Maya Learning Tools that are now available to purchase include: "Learning Maya 6 | Foundation"; "Learning Maya 6 | Maya Unlimited Features"; "Learning Maya 6 | Dynamics"; "Learning Maya 6 | Character Rigging and Animation"; "Learning Maya 6 | Rendering"; and "Learning Maya 6 | MEL Fundamentals."
As a leading innovator of 3D graphics technology, Alias (www.alias.com) develops award-winning software, custom development and training solutions for the film and video, games, Web, interactive media, automotive, industrial design, education and visualization markets. Alias is headquartered in Toronto with a Custom Development Center in Santa Barbara. Alias was recently purchased by Accel-KKR, a technology-focused private equity firm, and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
