DVFX Resources

Applications

• Autodesk Maya
• The Foundry's Nuke
• Side Effects Software's Houdini
• Mental Image's Mental Ray
• Pilgway's 3D-Coat.

Python and Related Resources

• Python Documentation.
• Maya Python command reference.
• PyMel (Python in Maya Done Right) -- an open-source module to make Python within Maya more Pythonesque. It can be controversial but has garnered a fair amount of support, and now comes packaged with Maya.
• Python Scripting for Maya Artists by Chad Vernon who also has some more resources on his site.
• Another slightly more brief introductory tutorial.
• One more introduction to Python in Maya.
• Information on creating UI in Maya with Python.
• Another example for creating UI in Maya with Python.
• Nuke Tutorial Videos: Python for Artists
• Nukepedia has some nice Python tutorials such as this one on using nuke.math, as well as lots of other info such as a Shake-to-Nuke transition guide.
• Some Nuke Python Snippets
• Houdini Masterclass for Python & Houdini 11
• Tech-Artists.org -- a nice site with Wikis for Python, Rigging, MEL, and other TD duties.
• The official Python website.
• Python -- the Wikipedia Entry with some useful overview.
• How To Think Like a Computer Scientist -- great free Python book online.
• Python Tips, Tricks, and Hacks -- some slick little tricks that show-off Python's abilities.
• A well-organized set of Python tutorials.
• A well-organized set of PyQt tutorials.
• A well-organized set of PySide tutorials.
• How to install PyQt on Mac OS Snow Leopard.
• PySide -- Python for Qt using Nokia's bindings instead of Riverbank's PyQt.
• Python Tutorials by Guido van Rossum.

Documents

• Class notes on the history of special effects.
• Notes on optical techniques for special effects.
• Notes on visual concepts for image-manipulation.
• Some basic Nuke reminders.
• Notes on Basic Color Correction in DaVinci Resolve.
• Notes on Face Retopo and Performance.
• Reference images from Matte Painter's Handbook.
• Quick outline of ideas for miniatures and other effects.
• Quick notes outline for compositing theory and basic image manipulation.
• Compositing exercise notes with example for After Effects and Shake.
• Notes on animation expressions, basic particle expressions, and MEL scripting (updated MEL scripts).
• MEL scripts in .txt file (copy and paste each script into Maya's script editor).
• Shake 4 manual.
• Storyboard Template in .pdf and .tiff.

VFX Studios

• Sony Pictures Imageworks -- one of my personal favorites -- Spidey, MIB, and many more.
• Digital Domain -- Benjamin Button, Tron: Legacy, etc.
• Industrial Light and Magic -- not our local airport, but it's cool to say that you're flying to ILM; Transformers, Pirates, etc.
• Rhythm & Hues -- studios behind Elektra and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe as well as many others.
• Tippett Studio, transitioned from stop-motion to CG effects, Harry Potter and others.
• Luma Pictures -- X-Men: First Class, Thor, and others.
• Evil Eye Pictures -- Iron Man 2, The Other Guys, etc.
• Whiskeytree -- matte painting, environments, set-extensions, and mo'.
• Weta, Lord of the Rings, King Kong, and more.
• Cinesite -- X-Men: First Class, Battle: LA, Clash of the Titans, etc.
• Framestore -- Harry Potter, Captain America, Chronicles of Narnia, etc.

Links

• VES -- the Visual Effects Society.
• The Art & Science of Digital Compositing -- Ron Brinkmann's textbook site.
• FXGuide.com -- for all the latest in the fx world.
• CG Society -- good info and resources for the CG world.
• Spectacular Attractions -- a well-written blog by Dan North about film and issues raised by special-effects technology.
• Several sites for good historic information: AMC's Filmsite, Luis Carrera's page, a Time Magazine article, and an Empire Magazine article.
• Nuke Customer Demos -- some great work and information.
• PBS Nova Special Effects Web Site includes historical information, interviews, and activities.
• PBS Nova's Second Special Effects Web Site with a history timeline, glossary, and other resources.
• The Blue Screen Page contains some information about Chroma Keying.
• Creative Crash -- look under the Maya menu at the top for tutorials, tips, shaders, etc.
• Learning-Maya.com -- lots of great tutorials.
• GNOMON -- providers of some good educational materials for visual effects.
• Digital Tutors -- more great educational materials for visual effects.
• Similar courses at other universities:
  • CPSC 815: Special Effects Production (Fall 2004), (Fall 2005), (Fall 2006), (Fall 2007), (Fall 2008), (Fall 2009), and (Current). (Go Tigers!) -- Check out the links to student project websites to see their work . Yes, they're grad students, but you can do just as well or even better ;-). Also, look over the how-to pages that some of the students have made that even include composite trees, etc.
  • CS 4480: Digital Video Special Effects at Georgia Tech (click on the different years to view various work).
  • CS 440/MDST 375: Computer Graphics for Film Production at UVA (click on the Final Videos link to checkout student work).
  • Cognitive Science 290: Special Visual Effects (not quite as related but still interesting).