Singapore's visual effects industry is set to receive a huge boost, with the setting up of a studio to train specialists and develop related high-end software technologies.

The NYP-SESI Visual Effects Studio, a collaboration between Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) and Canadian software developer Side Effects Asia Pacific (SESI-AP), will train and produce talent in visual effects, games and interactive digital media for Singapore and the region.

Master Classes and The Gnomon Workshop: Live Online Rebroadcast have been extended by one week -- December 12-26, 2008.

Sign up for Master Classes: http://www.gnomonschool.com/master/
Sign up for The Gnomon Workshop Live: Online Rebroadcast: http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/includes/gw_live/gw_live_rebroadcast_08...

Luxology has released two new sets of videos focused on architectural subjects. Using modo 302, Luxology's artist-friendly 3D content creation software, the "Architectural Modeling" video training album demonstrates how to create an architectural model from a given set of dimensions, and the "Architectural Interior: Lighting and Rendering" video album provides techniques for creating compelling day and night shots of a contemporary interior living space. To expedite the learning experience, Luxology provides pre-built models and images with each tutorial.

This week The Gnomon Workshop releases a new series of three DVDs by renowned concept artist James Clyne. Clyne brings his vast production experience to these titles that focus on designing environments for feature films. Using three different scenarios (a futuristic cityscape, a historical castle siege scene and a contemporary loft set), he demonstrates how he uses Photoshop to efficiently render his concepts for films.

Transform everyday projects into masterpieces in motion with expert tips from Artbeats' new video podcast. World-renowned for its extensive library of royalty-free stock footage, Artbeats is now widely recognized as a source for creative inspiration and educational tools for incorporating motion into your everyday projects.

i3DTutorials, creators of training products for computer animation software, including SOFTIMAGE|XSI and Autodesk 3ds Max, are kicking off the holiday season with drastically reduced prices on all products.

Learn efficient and fast modeling techniques for creating 3D assets through the use of polygon and subdivision surfaces with the following products:

INTRODUCTION TO POLYGON MODELING
INTRODUCTION TO SUBD MODELING IN SOFTIMAGE|XSI

Escape Studios has launched its new online ZBrush Foundation course. Comprised of 11 hours of HD video tutorial content created by industry experts, ZBrush Foundation enables artists of all levels to grasp the incredible power of Pixologic's industry standard sculpting tool. Delivered through Escape's proprietary online learning system, ZBrush Foundation provides students with a comprehensive learning experience and the ability to ask questions of Escape's industry professional tutors, using the system's unique Q&A feature.

Founded in 1992 by the Cegep de Jonquiere, the National Animation and Design Centre (NAD Centre) is taking part, in 2008, in an innovative partnership with the Cegep de Jonquiere and the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi (UQAC) and now offers private as well as university programs.

The union has already yielded a new Certificate in 3D Animation and Digital Design. Moreover, the UQAC and the NAD Centre have already welcomed, in new premises at the National Centre in Montreal, their first students during the fall 2008 session.

Digital-Tutors, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher, has announced CREATING CARTOON CHARACTERS IN 3DS MAX -- the newest release in a library of interactive training for emerging digital artists using 3ds Max, the highly customizable and scalable 3D modeling, animation, and rendering solution.

i3DTutorials has a new training product for SOFTIMAGE|XSI -- RENDERING WITH SOFTIMAGE|XSI V.I: MENTAL RAY.

This week The Gnomon Workshop has two new titles: TATTOOING PORTRAITS WITH NIKKO HURTADO and DYNAMIC FANTASY PAINTING WITH TOM BAXA.

World renowned tattooist Nikko Hurtado demonstrates in detail the secrets of tattooing realistic color portraits from start to finish. In this two hour tutorial Nikko guides you through his process with a keen eye and honed skills. He delivers a brilliant portrait with admirable creativity, while discussing his techniques.

This week The Gnomon Workshop released a DVD set unlike any you have seen before. Sil van der Woerd, a talented music video director from the Netherlands, has reconstructed the steps he took to produce and direct a music video for the Dutch singer Lolly Jane Blue.

Digital-Tutors, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher and Next Limit Certified Training Partner, have released ANIMATION LAYERS IN MAYA and SCRIPTING IN REALFLOW4 for emerging digital artists using Maya 2009, the 3D modeling, animation, effects, and rendering solution, or RealFlow4, the physical simulation tool for creating accurate and realistic dynamic simulations and fluid effects.

Digital-Tutors, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher and leader in video-based training, today announced RENDER PASSES IN MAYA 2009 -- the latest release in a library of interactive training for emerging digital artists using Maya 2009. RENDER PASSES IN MAYA 2009 contains two hours of project-based training and provides artists with methods to gaining precise control over render outputs and time-saving techniques to optimizing the interoperability between Maya and compositing software such as Toxik.

Digital-Tutors, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher and leader in video-based training, has announced MODELING INTERIORS IN 3DS MAX -- the newest release in a library of interactive training for emerging digital artists using 3ds Max. MODELING INTERIORS IN 3DS MAX provides artists with five and a half hours of project-based training to learning a production workflow to interior set modeling and time-saving modeling techniques for use feature film, game design, and architectural visualization industries.

This week The Gnomon Workshop adds to its library of professional production technique DVDs with a new title by instructor Ryan Kingslien. INTRODUCTION TO ZBRUSH 3 WITH RYAN KINGSLIEN follows the same production artist training course Kingslien developed while Product Manager at Pixologic for companies such as ILM, EA and Ubisoft.

Digital-Tutors, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher and leader in video-based training, today announced the availability of NPARTICLES IN MAYA 2009 -- the newest release in a library of interactive training for emerging digital artists using Maya 2009.

Animation studio Aardman has selected Escape Studios' comprehensive Maya courseware and online learning system to augment its in-house computer graphics training program.

An addition to Escape Studios' portfolio of prominent corporate adopters, Aardman's announcement comes three weeks after game developer Rare announced its decision to implement Escape Studios' online learning system. The online Maya program was developed by Escape's tutors and features HD content and an unprecedented learning experience.

Videogame publisher Activision Blizzard builds on facial animation technology created at Filmakademie's R&D Lab to raise the bar for in-game characters in the upcoming James Bond videogame QUANTUM OF SOLACE.

"Using the tools allowed us to enhance our production pipelines and shorten times for creating believable character animation," said Filippo Costanzo, Head of Research and Development. The technology was developed within the research project "Artificial Actors" at the Filmakademie's Institute of Animation.

Digital-Tutors has added three 3ds Max training titles: INTRODUCTION TO RIGGING IN 3DS MAX, INTRODUCTION TO LIGHTING IN 3DS MAX, and AUTOMOTIVE MODELING IN 3DS MAX.

Designed for artists new to 3ds Max, the highly customizable and scalable 3D modeling, animation, and rendering solution, INTRODUCTION TO RIGGING IN 3DS MAX and INTRODUCTION TO LIGHTING IN 3DS MAX together contain five hours of project-driven training and provide essential methods to fully utilizing rigging and character setup tools and fundamental lighting techniques for adding greater realism.