Smoke Fundamentals is intended to quickly get you up and running on the public beta of the new OS X Smoke 2013. Taught by John Montgomery and Mike Seymour, this all-new course contains over five hours of training covering the fundamentals you need to know to get most out of this new software.

Unlike our standard fxphd membership, once you buy the course, you can immediately download all class instruction videos.

The course, intended for users who have never worked on Smoke or Flame, starts out by working through an example edit. This includes reinforcing core editing techniques and workflow by editing a variety of footage, graphics, audio, and more — exactly the kind of standard tasks you would do for finishing a project. The course then dives into looking at many different tools and tasks such as Colour Correction, Keying, and Connect FX.

Smoke Fundamentals also includes an in-depth look at working on graphics design in Action, providing an overview of techniques that push the intermediate and even advanced level. It’s designed to wet your appetite for what can be done in the application. We also look at how to use FBX Camera data for a screen replacement shot in Action and finish up with XML workflow and dealing with a multitude of footage formats that are common in today’s post production workflows.

The fast forward program is standalone instruction with immediate download and does not include access to our discussion forums or VPN software. Also, to keep costs low, we do not include project files or footage with this training.

For a listing of the individual classes, click the “Read More” link…

Smoke Fundamentals Course Outline

Class 1: Editing in Smoke 2013

Setting up a project and changing preferences, John explains how Smoke 2013 handles media and render files and some tips for setting up your project. Then begins the project, starting with audio editing in the timeline and finishes up the class with bringing in footage.

Class 2: Editing in Smoke 2013 Part 2

Continuing the editing on the project from class 1. John discusses how Smoke 2013 interprets embedded alpha channel media files as well as resize

Class 3: Editing in Smoke 2013 Part 3

Finishing up the edit on the project. John discusses animation in the timeline using keyframes and looks at different techniques for applying effects in the timeline including colour correction, masks and repositions. John then gives an introduction to Connect FX.

Class 4: Color Grading

Working with the colour correction module, Mike explains the interface and different strategies for colour grading. Then looks at colour grading in Connect FX using gradients, garbage masks and other colour tools. Mike then gives an introduction to Action

Class 5: Intro to Action

Mike takes us through the channel editor. Then opens up Action and creates an animation using footage, text and lights.

Class 6: Graphic Design in Action Part 1

Intermediate to advanced techniques for 3D graphic design in Action. John takes us through a project created entirely in Action and shows tips and tricks for working in this environment.

Class 7: Graphic Design in Action Part 2

John continues the graphic design project in Action, taking a closer at lights and how they interact in 3D space.

Class 8: Keying

Working through various keying strategies, Mike shows the different tools and how to use them in a variety of different situations.

Class 9: FBX Cameras and 3D Screen Replacement

Using Action to replace the images on our screens, Mike takes us through a screen replacement workflow from tracking, to generate the FBX camera, to how we use that data in our screen replacement Action schematic.

Class 10: XML and file format workflow

Mike takes us from Final Cut Pro to Smoke using XML workflow. He then looks at a variety of proprietary file formats, such as Red R3D with HDRx, ARRIRAW and others to discuss the tools that are integrated into Smoke 2013.

Autodesk has partnered with fxphd to create a series of “Getting Up to Speed” training in the new 20th Anniversary edition of Flame. This series is targeted towards flame artists familiar with the previous release, but want to cut to the chase and learn what’s new.

The following videos are available:

• Extension 2 Update (new)
• UI Overview
• The Media Hub
• The Desktop
• Timeline Basics
• Timeline Effects & BFX
• Batch
• Archiving
• Conform
• Colour Management

2013 Extension 2 Update – New Release

Download Link

UI Overview

Download Link
 

The Media Hub

Download Link
 
 

The Desktop

Download Link
 

Timeline Basics

Download Link

Timeline Effects & BFX

Download Link
 

Batch

Download Link
 

Archiving

Download Link
 

Conform

Download Link
 

Colour Management

Download Link

Here’s the April 2012 Term orientation week video which provides an overview of the courses which are running this term at fxphd. It includes recordings by the profs about what they’ll be covering during term at fxphd.

You can download the video for offline viewing from our Vimeo page.

Please share this page with others and help spread the word!

We understand there are times that an artist can’t wait for the start of a term to learn a piece of software…..or wait ten weeks for all the classes to come out. They have a job to do and they need to quickly get up to speed. That’s where our new “fastforward” program comes into play: you pay for the course and get immediate access to download all materials without waiting.

Since starting fxphd six years ago, the community we’ve built has exceeded our expectations. It’s become the top online destination for vfx, motion graphics, and production professionals around the world to take their knowledge to the next level. This isn’t going to change — our standard membership is the heart of what we do here at fxphd.

But as we said, needs of artists are sometimes different. So we developed fastforward – training designed to get you up and running on your schedule, not ours. Some key bullet points about the program and how it differs from our standard membership:

• Once you pay, materials are available for immediate download via Amazon S3
• The instructional movies are downloads in H.264 format – not streaming
• fastforward does not include access to the fxphd forums or interaction with the professor
• It is a totally separate offering from the standard fxphd membership
• There is no access to VPN software
• Resolve Fundamentals provides supplemental footage so that you can follow along with the course

How do I purchase Resolve Fundamentals?

The Resolve Fundamentals page has links to purchase the product. For payment, you’ll be taken to PayPal where you can pay using your PayPal account or simply use a credit card. Once you’ve paid, you’ll be emailed download links for the materials.

How do I purchase Smoke Fundamentals?

The Smoke Fundamentals page has links to purchase the product. For payment, you’ll be taken to PayPal where you can pay using your PayPal account or simply use a credit card. Once you’ve paid, you’ll be emailed download links for the materials.

How much do fastforward courses cost?

They vary, depending upon the course. Resolve Fundamentals costs $199USD. Smoke Fundamentals costs $99USD

How big are the downloads?

The individual class downloads (ten classes total) are approximately 400MB apiece. There may be additional files that come along with the courses. The files are served via Amazon S3.

Does fastforward include forum access?

No. Forum access is something we only offer for our standard membership.

Can we ask questions of the professor?

No…this is not part of the fastforward program. Compared to the standard fxphd membership, fastforward would be more like purchasing DVD training where you watch the training materials on your own.

Will you still be doing the standard fxphd?

Definitely! We love the standard membership and it’s the heart of what we do. We simply listened to requests from our members and realized that there are times where the term concept doesn’t fit in with learning. The standard membership is still the only place to get hard core intermediate and advanced training.

We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with The Foundry to be the exclusive educational organization where artists can gain certification to be trainers for NUKE. This is the only way to become an officially certified NUKE trainer. After successful completion of the course, which includes passing both standard and practical exams, members will be listed on the Foundry’s web site as a Certified NUKE Trainer. These members can also nominate a single place of work as a Certified NUKE Training Centre.

This curriculum is totally separate from our normal offerings, due to the fact that it is targeted towards those who wish to train other artists in NUKE. The program is not designed to make great shots for your reel, but to provide you with detailed information about the software and how to pass that knowledge on to others. fxphd prof Matt Leonard leads the course, and he has worked very closely with The Foundry to develop a solid and accurate training curriculum. Leonard has been in the 3D and visual effects industry for 19 years and has produced work for feature films, commercials and large corporate projects. He has trained and spoken at various events throughout the world and has been on the beta test teams for Maya, Nuke, Fusion, and Mari.

The Foundry’s release schedule generally includes two updates per year. Every twelve months Certified NUKE Trainers will need to be re-certified on the most recent release of the software. This is an additional program which includes tutorial movies as well as online examinations for each release that has occurred in the previous twelve months. Cost is $249 per year.

You can view information about the courses here:
NUK901: NUKE for Trainers Level One
NUK902: NUKE for Trainers Level Two
NUK903: NUKE for Trainers Level Three

To enroll, sign up here: https://www.fxphd.com/lounge/payments.php

About the program

Enrollment in the program costs $995USD and includes the following:

• Over 35 hours of training broken into three courses: NUKE for Trainers Level One, Nuke for Trainers Level Two & Nuke for Trainers Level Three
• Full resolution, high quality 1440×900 screen recordings available for immediate download
• One-year access to our private NUKE for Trainers discussion forum where you can ask Matt questions
• Associated footage and project files to work along with the course instruction. This footage is only for private use as part of the Nuke for Trainers course and not allowed for use on demo reels or other applications.
• An online exam for each of the three courses
• A practical, project based exam for members to apply what they learned. This includes members recording a screen tutorial which shows their teaching method.
• Upon successful completion of the course, artists obtain a listing on The Foundry web site
• Certified NUKE Trainers will be able to purchase packages of footage and assets which they may use for their classes
• Certified NUKE Trainers may nominate a single place of work as a Certified NUKE Training Centre.

Additional information

• Join any time.
• Class material is available immediately for download. No waiting.
• Access to VPN software is not included. However, members of the normal fxphd curriculum may use the VPN software for the Nuke for Trainers curriculum.
• You have two attempts to pass the exams
• There are currently no software discounts associated with the program

How this program is different from the standard fxphd membership

• Curriculum is geared towards teaching Nuke and the knowledge needed to do so
• Forums are private and not part of the normal fxphd forums
• Screen recordings are higher quality, full resolution captures
• There are multiple exams, including a practical submission-based exam
• All course material is available for immediate download – no waiting

You can view information about the courses here:
NUK901: NUKE for Trainers Level One
NUK902: NUKE for Trainers Level Two
NUK903: NUKE for Trainers Level Three

To enroll, sign up here: https://www.fxphd.com/lounge/payments.php

アーティストが NUKE トレーナーの認証を得る ことができる唯一の教育機関として The Foundry と提携することに、私たちはとても興 奮しています。 これは、正式に認定された NUKE のトレーナーになる唯一の方法です。 標準実技試験の合格を含め、受講修了後、メ ンバーは認定 NUKE トレーナーとして The Foundryのウェブサイトに掲載されます。 ま た、これらのメンバーは NUKE 認定トレーニン グセンターとしての仕事の場を 1 か所、指定す ることができます。

このカリキュラムは、NUKE の他のアーティストを養成したい方を対象としている事実により、私たちの通常のコースと は全く別のものです。 このプログラムは、あなたがリールに素晴らしいショットを作るために設計されているのではな く、ソフトウェアの詳細な情報と、その知識を他者に伝授する方法を提供します。 fxphd 講師(Professor)のマット・レ ナード(Matt Leonard)は、コースを主導し、彼は The Foundry と非常に密接に協力し、堅実かつ正確な研修カリキュ ラムを開発しました。 レナードは、3Dおよびビジュアルエフェクトの業界で19年間にわたり、長編映画、コマーシャル、 大企業のプロジェクトの作品を生み出してきました。 彼はMaya、Nuke、FusionおよびMariについて、世界中の 様々なイベントやベータテストチームでトレーニングおよび講話をしてきました。

Foundryのリリース予定には、一般的に年2回のアップデートが含まれます。 認定Nukeトレーナーは、12ヵ月ごと にソフトウェアの最新リリースについて、再認定される必要があります。 これは、その12ヶ月間ごとのリリースの チュートリアルムービーだけでなく、オンライン試験を含む追加プログラムです。 追加コースの費用はまだ決まってい ませんが、私たちは年間約 250 ドルと予想しています。

コースの詳細についてはこちらをご覧ください:

NUK901: NUKE for Trainers Level One
NUK902: NUKE for Trainers Level Two

受講登録は、こちらでご契約ください: https://www.fxphd.com/lounge/payments.php

プログラムについて

このコースの受講費は 995 米ドルで、以下を含みます:

• 2 つのコースに分かれた 30 時間以上のトレーニング: NUKE トレーナーコース レベルI (NUKE for Trainers Level One)&NUKE トレーナーコース レベルII (NUKE for Trainers Level Two)

• 高解像度、高品質の 1440×900 画面でレコードされた、すぐにダウンロードできるクラスのビデオ。

• コースの指導に関連する映像と一緒に使用するプロジェクトファイル。 この映像は、NUKE トレーナー コースの一環としてのみ使用する非公開のものであり、デモリールや他のアプリケーションでの使用は許 可されていません。

• 2 つのコースごとにオンライン試験 1 種類。

• メンバーへのプロジェクトベースの実技試験は、学んだことを出題します。 これにはメンバーの指導方法を見せた個別指導の映像記録も含まれます。

• (試験に合格し)コースを修了すると、アーティストは The Foundry のウェブサイトのリストに(認定トレーナーとして)登録されます。

• 認定 NUKE トレーナーは、そのトレーナーのクラスで使用できる映像と素材のパッケージを購入することができます。

• 認定 NUKE トレーナーは認定 NUKE トレーニングセンター(Certified NUKE Training Centre)としての所在地を 1 カ所指定できます。

Additional information

• いつでもご参加ください。
• クラスの教材は、ダウンロード後、待たずにすぐに使用できます。
• (NUKE の)VPN ソフトウェアの使用は含まれていません。 しかし、通常の fxphd コースのメンバーはト レーナーコースで NUKE の VPN ソフトウェアを使用することができます。
• 試験は 2 回受けられます。
• 本プログラムに関連するソフトウェアの値引きは、現在ありません。

標準の fxphd 会員コースとの相違点

• カリキュラムは、NUKE の教育を目指しているので、そのための知識が必要とされます。
• Forums フォーラムは専用で標準の fxphd フォーラムの一部ではありません。
• 画面の録画は高品質、高解像度で収録されています。
• 提出ベースの実技試験を含む、複数の試験があります。
• コースのすべての素材はすぐにダウンロードできます – 待つ必要はありません

コースの詳細についてはこちらをご覧ください:
NUK901: NUKE for Trainers Level One
NUK902: NUKE for Trainers Level Two

受講登録は、こちらでご契約ください: https://www.fxphd.com/lounge/payments.php

By the end of July, we’ll be introducing our new Resolve 8 training program with Warren Eagles. We’re extremely excited to be partnering with Warren again here at fxphd. If you’d like to be notified when we offer this curriculum, please fill out the following form and we’ll contact you via email.

In the spirit of openness that we try to show here at fxphd, I wanted to take a moment to talk about our price increase for the July11 term. The bottom line is that it’s due to worldwide currency fluctuations. OK…bottom line is that the dollar has tanked against foreign currencies in the last several years. So we’ve had to make a slight adjustment, raising the price to $359 per term.

In order to help ease the transition to our new price, the good news is that for members of the April term who renew for July — you’ll still be paying the $330 price for the July term. The discount will automatically be taken when you sign up.

Why did we need to do this? Much like other businesses like The Foundry, the declining dollar has had a big impact on our expenses. When we started fxphd, the $330 membership actually translated to about $450 in Australian dollars. Today, that same $330 brings in $308 Australian dollars. With two of our three offices located in Australia, this has had a dramatic impact on our costs. Many of our profs are overseas, so that has an impact as well.

This has been an issue for us for a while, but we’ve held off increasing prices as we didn’t think it was appropriate due to the global financial crisis and so many artists being out of work. But the time seems right now and it’s something we need to do.

We hope you understand our need to do this. Our goal is to keep fxphd very affordable and this adjustment will help us maintain the quality you’ve come to expect from us.

vfx, motion graphics and production training for companies: 2012

fxphd offers a variety of packages to bring quality training to your employees.

multi-user discounts

discounts off the standard membership for as few as 3 employees
Membership in fxphd is a great way for companies to offer ongoing training for employees or use as a reward, perk, or incentive. It’s best for employees’ independent exploration of the vfx, design and production courses.

corporate credits

flexible credits to be applied to a variety of courses
If you have smaller groups to train or you need more variety and flexibility than single course licensing, credits can be purchased in 10-packs. One credit provides access to one course for an individual. (Does not include forums or VPN access)

single course licensing

license a single course for all your employees
Single course licensing is the best way to provide specific training for a medium to large group of employees on a given application. For a simple one-year licensing fee, a large studio can provide unlimited training for employees regardless of growth and turnover. (Does not include forums or VPN access)

For more information about our corporate program, and to get a password to view our corporate sample classes below:
please email corporate@fxphd.com

Sample Classes (one class from just a few of the current courses on offer – password required)

Nuke and the VFX Pipeline – NUK214

3D Modeling and Animation for NUKE Compositors – NUK218

Production Shader Writing Fundamentals & Physically Plausible Shading – RND301

VFX Foundations I, the first of a two-part course on Core Skill set knowledge – VFX201

5TH KIND – Asset management using 5th Kind – 5TH101