SuperToon DVD Series Added to Alias Learning Tools for Maya

SuperToon DVD Series Added to Alias Learning Tools for Maya Authors' production experience provides insight into recommended workflows and techniques for creating toony characters.
Wednesday, December 7, 2005

The latest Learning Tools from Alias® pack powerful Maya® techniques for developing, modeling, and rigging cartoon characters into three DVDs that make up the SuperToon Series now available at www.alias.com/learningtools. Jeff Bernstein of Disney Feature Animation tackles SuperToon Modeling and Body Rigging, Joe Harkins of Sony Pictures Imageworks takes on SuperToon Facial Rigging, and Randy Haycock and Chris Cordingley of Disney Feature Animation share their experience in SuperToon Animation.
"The SuperToon MasterClasses at SIGGRAPH this year were so successful that we created this three-part series to help artists defy the laws of the physical world and achieve the outlandish effects they seek," says Danielle Lamothe, product manager, learning tools and training at Alias.

The DVDs build on one another and enable artists to learn the differences between realistic and cartoon character creation, and understand the potential pitfalls and challenges. Starting with Maya Techniques" SuperToon Modeling and Body Rigging - in which character development and modeling as well as creating stable setups for stretchy limbs, squashing bellies, character silhouettes, and adjustable line of action are explored - the Series progresses with Maya Techniques SuperToon Facial Rigging and addresses the anatomy of the cartoon face, topology, designing a facial system, translating emotion into setup, and integrating the facial setup into the master rig.

From there, Maya Techniques SuperToon Animation exposes animators to real-world techniques for achieving true cartoon style animation as practiced in the major studios today as well as professional tips and tricks that provide a better understanding of cartoon characters and how to best animate them. Topics covered include 2D versus 3D planning, applying principles such as squash and stretch, cartoon timing and snappy animation, cool cheats, emotion, silhouette, and line of action.

The Maya Techniques SuperToon Series of three DVDs is priced at US $150*, a 25 per cent savings off the individually listed price of US $69.99*.
* International pricing may vary
About AliasAs the world's leading innovator of 3D graphics technology, Alias develops software for the film and video, games, web, interactive media, industrial design, automotive, architecture and visualization markets. Alias has headquarters in Toronto and a custom development center in Santa Barbara with offices worldwide. Please visit the Alias web site at www.alias.com or call 1-800-447-2542 in North America. International contact numbers include: Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa, +44 (0) 1494 441273; Germany, East & Southeast Europe, 0049 89 31 70 20; France, Spain and Portugal, +33 1 44 92 81 60; Italy, 39 039 6340011; Japan and other parts of Asia Pacific, 81 3 5797 3500 and Latin America, 770 393 1881.

source:creativpro