Channel Title: The Gnomon Workshop Channel Description: Founded by Alex Alvarez in 2000, The Gnomon Workshop was established to share professional techniques with those unable to attend the award-winning Gnomon School in Hollywood, California. At The Gnomon Workshop, we understand that it’s not always possible to study on campus or take online classes in a different timezone. That’s why our library of over 300 video workshops — that’s over 1,000 hours of tuition — is available 24/7 from anywhere in the world. We’ve been creating video training for over two decades. Our founder has worked on blockbusters including Avatar, Star Trek, Super 8, and Prometheus, and has been teaching some of the world’s most successful CG artists for over 20 years. <video> Modeling For Film & TV: Hard-Surface Vehicles with Josh Docherty #maya #mayatutorial Description: In this 3-hour workshop, Josh Docherty takes you through the process of modeling a high-resolution vehicle without a scan, relying on the use of camera lineups and using his tips, tricks, and industry knowledge to create the same high-quality, pipeline-ready asset in a limited amount of time. Ready to get started? ⚫Watch now at https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/modeling-for-film-tv-hard-surface-vehicles/ #maya #mayatutorial #redshift #photoshop #lightroom #vehicledesign #3dvehicle </video> <video> World Building using Blender & Photoshop with Tiago Sousa Description: Learn how to create an entire world foundation for endless inspiration using Blender and Photoshop in this 2-hour workshop by Tiago Sousa: https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/world-building-using-blender-photoshop Start your free trial to The Gnomon Workshop training library today: https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials STORY DEVELOPMENT & CREATIVE WORKFLOW Learn how to create an entire world foundation using a straightforward creative process. In this two-hour workshop by Tiago Sousa, he presents his entire workflow, from the conception of a simple story through to the final environment. The idea is that you’ll end up with not just one final scene but, most importantly, a strong base you can continue developing. The world you create will be a course of never-ending inspiration, even when you feel less inspired. Throughout the workshop, Tiago provides tips on writing down the main elements of a story, as well as how to find and organize essential references. He then moves on to sketching and demonstrates how to test the initial ideas using basic tools in Blender. He discusses the importance of camera angles and lighting and how to generate several renders to envision your world as it comes to life. For the final steps, Tiago moves into Photoshop, where he shares his techniques for painting, photo-bashing, and polishing a chosen scene. This workshop is recommended for junior and intermediate-level artists. By completing this workshop, you’ll have developed a world base with enough material to produce several renders that will give a rich, cohesive look to your portfolio and show your ability to think creatively. Tiago shares his Blender file with all assets and cameras created and the layered Photoshop file with adjustments included for subscribers to examine. Chapters: — Introduction — Brainstorming & Story Development — Gathering References — Sketching Ideas & Main Elements — 3D Blocking for Composition — Camera Angles & Composition Sketches — Improving Your 3D Scene & Color Roughs — Final Painting Part 1: Removing the 3D Look — Final Painting Part 2: Photo-bashing, Painting & Polishing For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at https://thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials. </video> <video> Cinematic Sand & Dust Simulations using Houdini with Alvaro J. Segura #houdini Description: This 3-hour workshop begins by delving into the use of Vellum grains and combining them with Pyro simulations to create a variety of sand textures, ranging from fine, dust-like particles to denser clumped sand. Alvaro details the crucial attributes of both Vellum and Pyro, empowering artists with the confidence to tweak these parameters for the desired effects in their own sand simulations. By completing this workshop, artists will have practical workflows and the technical expertise to elevate their sand simulations to a professional standard. Ready to get started? ⚫Watch now at https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/cinematic-sand-dust-simulations-using-houdini/ @sidefxhoudini #houdinifx #vfx #vfxartist #sandsimulation #vfxtutorial #onlineworkshop #gnomon #gnomonworkshopinstructor </video> <video> Modeling For Film & TV: Hard-Surface Vehicles with Josh Docherty Description: Push your 3D models to the industry gold standard. This workshop reveals how professional modelers create world-class vehicles for film & TV: Start your free trial to The Gnomon Workshop training library today: https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/modeling-for-film-tv-hard-surface-vehicles/ WORKFLOW TIPS & TRICKS USING MAYA, REDSHIFT & PHOTOSHOP If you want to push your models to the industry gold standard, this workshop will show you how professional modelers working in film and TV create world-class production-quality vehicles. When modeling assets in the visual effects industry, artists are often supplied with scans or photogrammetry of the subject to retopologize and match the references. However, there are frequently times when this isn’t the case, and in those instances, it’s essential to know what to do and how to tackle these scenarios working from limited references only — which is expected of every modeler working on complex shows and often under very quick turnarounds. In this 3-hour workshop, Josh Docherty takes you through the process of modeling a high-resolution vehicle without a scan, relying on the use of camera lineups and using his tips, tricks, and industry knowledge to create the same high-quality, pipeline-ready asset in a limited amount of time. This tutorial teaches how to create a clean, robust model for downstream use by other departments, including Texturing/Lookdev, Rigging, Animation, FX, and Lighting. Different departments often have many requirements and needs that modelers are responsible for ensuring are considered and fulfilled to the best of their abilities. This helps the entire pipeline perform efficiently for all things model-related. Josh demonstrates many of the best practices and actions artists can take to ensure assets function at their best, using native Maya tools to achieve the same results at home — all while adhering to the same rules as the largest pipelines in the industry. This workshop is best suited for junior-level modelers and above. The references used for this workshop are from Bring a Trailer (https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-mercedes-benz-unimog-4), and the HDRI featured is from PolyHaven (https://polyhaven.com). Josh uses PureRef, Maya, Arnold, Redshift (optional), Lightroom & Photoshop as his tools of choice, though the techniques demonstrated can be applied to other software. CHAPTERS: — Introduction: Who am I & What are we Going to Cover? — Brief, References, Requirements & Setting up Cameras — First Pass: Primary Forms & Matching a Vehicle Silhouette — Second Pass: Smaller Details & Displacement/Texture Maps — Third Pass: UVs, Mirroring, Naming Conventions & Hierarchy — Final Pass: Subtle Breakup, Damage Variants & Prepping for Presentation — Lighting, Rendering, Editing & Final Thoughts For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at https://thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials. </video> <video> Creating a Swamp & Mud Monster in Houdini with David Silberbauer #houdinitutorial #houdini Description: In this new tutorial, David demonstrates a wide range of workflows that benefit FX artists and those wanting an in-depth look at creating a full CG environment with animation, effects, and lighting/compositing, from start to finish. Artists can follow along to make a procedural setup entirely in Houdini – no other software is required. Ready to get started? ⚫Watch now at https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/creating-a-swamp-and-mud-monster-in-houdini/ #houdini #houdinivfx #houdinifx #houdinitutorial #vfx #animation #vfxartist #digitalart </video> <video> Introduction to Marvelous Designer with Erika Lochs #marvelousdesigner #3dclothing Description: This introductory workshop is for artists who have never used Marvelous Designer or are relatively new to the software. Erika’s complete introduction covers the essential features and details everything you need to know to get started. You’ll learn how to create a denim jacket by working with a pattern provided and practice creating a mediaeval tent to explore how Marvelous Designer can be used for environment art. Ready to get started? ⚫Watch now at https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/introduction-to-marvelous-designer/ #marvelousdesigner #3dcloth #characteart #gameart #gameartist #characterartist #productionart #creativeprocess #digitalart </video> <video> Creating a Swamp & Mud Monster in Houdini with David Silberbauer Description: Use Houdini to create a swamp monster emerging from an environment & dripping with mud in this new workshop by VFX Artist David Silberbauer: https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/creating-a-swamp-and-mud-monster-in-houdini/ Start your free trial to The Gnomon Workshop training library today: https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials PROCEDURAL ANIMATION WORKFLOW Discover how to use Houdini to create a swamp monster emerging from an environment and dripping with mud. This 5-hour workshop by VFX Artist David Silberbauer is intended to be beginner-friendly but is also valuable for intermediate-level artists. This workshop demonstrates how to manipulate attributes, discusses HeightField and MPM solver basics, explains how to use VDB processes to create sources, and covers the FLIP fluids basics, as well as HeightField scattering, Fluid Meshing, and how to use the MPM workflow. David’s guidance is particularly beneficial for artists wanting to dive into various techniques achievable within Houdini. In this tutorial, David provides a wide range of workflows that benefit FX artists and those wanting an in-depth look at creating a full CG environment with animation, effects, and lighting/compositing, from start to finish. Artists can follow along to make a procedural setup entirely in Houdini – no other software is required. The process begins by setting up an animation and then describes how to modify it using simple and efficient methods and tools, such as the Point Deform and TimeShift tools. Learn how a semi-procedural setup can simulate mud flowing down the monster and discover how to optimize the flow speed on the fly. David also details how the new MPM Solver can be best used to achieve the required results without getting stuck in iteration loops or hitting roadblocks. Since MPM can be very resource-expensive, David discusses the importance of what MPM is best for and what it’s not. David demonstrates efficient workflows for building environments using height fields and shows how to scatter vegetation and process those elements using USD. Finally, he walks through the final scene assembly in USD and demonstrates helpful lighting and rendering techniques to create a polished CG shot worthy of your portfolio. This workshop includes the Houdini file with the mud_monster setup as a downloadable project file. CHAPTERS: — Introduction — Building the Base Animation — Finishing the Animation + Setting Up the Basic HeightField — MPM Solver Sourcing & Basics + Material Manipulation — MPM Solver continued + Meshing Workflow — FLIP Fluid Basic Setup + Dressing in Height Fields with HeightField Scatter — USD Workflow, Point Instancing + Materials — Final Review of the Scene File For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at https://thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials. </video> <video> Designing Sci-Fi Props for Film with Kris Turvey Description: In this 3-hour workshop, concept artist Kris Turvey demonstrates his complete workflow for designing and modeling a sci-fi prop for production: Start your free trial to The Gnomon Workshop training library today: https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/designing-sci-fi-props-for-film/ PHOTOSHOP, FUSION, MAYA & SUBSTANCE PAINTER WORKFLOW Beginning with his mind-mapping process to generate ideas, he explains how to develop concepts quickly with quick sketching in Photoshop. He then demonstrates how simple techniques using the Airbrush and Selection tools can take your ideas to a more advanced presentation stage. Moving on from Photoshop, Kris takes a selected design into Fusion, showcasing the various parametric 3D modeling techniques he uses to create fabrication-ready 3D models. To complete the workflow, he then demonstrates how to take your final Fusion model into Substance Painter to apply materials and generate final presentation renders efficiently. Throughout the workshop, Kris shares an in-depth look at his key design principles for designing objects that quickly and effectively communicate their functionality to an audience. By the end of the tutorial, artists will have developed a sound understanding of the professional techniques needed to underpin strong designs and will understand how to develop a solid pipeline for future concept design projects. Kris’s final Fusion file is included as a downloadable project file with this workshop. CHAPTERS: — Introduction — Designing for Film — The Language of Objects — Getting the Brief — Design Thinking — Design Sketching — Fusion Overview — Modeling in Fusion — Substance Painter Overview — Texturing & Rendering in Substance Painter & Photoshop For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at https://thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials. </video> <video> Topology for Animated Characters with João Victor #gnomonworkshop #mayatutorial #zbrush #modeling Description: This comprehensive workshop begins with the basics and progresses to more advanced techniques using Maya and ZBrush. For João, topological tasks are like challenging games; artists must create unique solutions for different characters to create meshes that are as efficient as possible. Ready to get started? ⚫Watch now at https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/topology-for-animated-characters/ #animation #animator #maya #zbrush #mayatutorial #zbrushtutorial #animatedmovie #animatedfilm #stylizedcharacter #cartoon #3danimation #topology #professionalartist #workshop #computergraphics #digitalart #digitalartist #creativeprocess #thegnomonworkshop #gnomonworkshop #gnomonworkshopinstructor #gnomon #gnomonworkshopinstructor #learnsomethingnew #tipsandtricks </video> <video> World Building using Blender & Photoshop with Tiago Sousa #blendertutorial #photoshoptutorial Description: In this 2-hour workshop, Tiago provides tips on writing down the main elements of a story, as well as how to find and organise essential references. He then moves on to sketching and demonstrates how to test the initial ideas using basic tools in Blender. He discusses the importance of camera angles and lighting and how to generate several renders to envision your world as it comes to life. For the final steps, Tiago moves into Photoshop, where he shares his techniques for painting, photo-bashing, and polishing a chosen scene. Ready to get started? Follow along with Tiago’s project files included for subscribers ⚫Watch now at https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/world-building-using-blender-photoshop #blendermodeling #blendertutorial #photoshop #photoshoptutorial #conceptart #conceptartist #vfx #digitalart </video> <video> Introduction to Marvelous Designer with Erika Lochs Description: Introduction to Marvelous Designer is here! Learn how to create industry-standard character clothing & cloth simulations for environments: https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/introduction-to-marvelous-designer/ Start your free trial to The Gnomon Workshop training library today: https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials CLOTHING & CLOTH SIMS Marvelous Designer is quickly becoming an industry-standard software for creating character clothing and cloth simulation in environment art. Erika Lochs is a principal character artist who uses Marvelous Designer heavily in her professional career and strongly focuses on anything fabric-related. This introductory workshop is for artists who have never used Marvelous Designer or are relatively new to the software. Erika’s complete introduction covers the essential features in the 3D and 2D windows and details everything you need to know to get started, including how to navigate Marvelous Designer and how to use avatars. With all the basics covered, Erika then demonstrates how to create a basic denim jacket, working with a pattern provided. Artists can follow along with the workflow from start to finish. Additionally, Erika provides a bonus tutorial tailored for environment artists, focusing on creating a mediaeval tent. Erika utilizes a base mesh by Hamza Ben Salah in this workshop. Project files provided with this workshop include Erika’s Marvelous Designer material sheet, her favorite Shortcuts sheet, the Marvelous Designer file for the jacket and tent, and her references and props. CHAPTERS: — Marvelous Designer UI — Using Avatars & Base Meshes in Marvelous Designer — Marvelous Designer: 3D Window Tools — Marvelous Designer: 2D Window Tools — Sub Menus & Display Options in Marvelous Designer — Marvelous Designer: Property Editor — Animation for Fabrics in Marvelous Designer — Marvelous Designer Fabrics — Denim Jacket in Marvelous Designer: Part 1 — Denim Jacket in Marvelous Designer: Part 2 — Using ZBrush for Patterns — Creating a Mediaeval Tent using Marvelous Designer For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at https://thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials. </video> <video> Cinematic Sand & Dust Simulations using Houdini with Alvaro J. Segura Description: Learn how to create a cinematic desert scene complete with sand & vehicle interactions using this complex yet rewarding Houdini simulation: https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/cinematic-sand-dust-simulations-using-houdini/ Start your free trial to The Gnomon Workshop training library today: https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials CREATING A DESERT CAR SCENE Discover how to create a cinematic desert scene with sand and vehicle interactions. This complex yet rewarding simulation is demonstrated using Houdini Indie by Senior FX Artist Alvaro Segura. This 3-hour workshop begins by delving into the use of Vellum grains and combining them with Pyro simulations to create a variety of sand textures, ranging from fine, dust-like particles to denser clumped sand. Alvaro details the crucial attributes of both Vellum and Pyro, empowering artists with the confidence to tweak these parameters for the desired effects in their own sand simulations. Alvaro demonstrates techniques for creating clumped textures and achieving a granular, detailed look while also discussing the behavior of fine, realistic dust. Additionally, artists will learn how to optimize collisions and design custom velocity fields for enhanced simulation realism. Alvaro also walks through how to set up multiple containers and leverage TOP networks for wedging to facilitate heavy simulations and segment them into separate containers for an efficient yet powerful mix. In the final leg of the workshop, Alvaro details how to combine these containers back into a single volume as velocity and density VDBs for lighter, optimized volume handling. By completing this workshop, artists will have practical workflows and the technical expertise to elevate their sand simulations to a professional standard. This workshop utilizes an SUV car model from Turbosquid. CHAPTERS: — Introduction — The Relevance of Reference: Evaluating Your Needs — Quick Setups & Finding Relevant Attributes in Vellum Grains — Quick Setups & Finding Relevant Attributes in Pyro Sims — Preparing Source Geometries for FX Setup — Procedural Extraction of Areas for Simulation — Optimize Collision for Each Part Involved — Create Vellum Grain Setup for Shot & Organizing DOP Net Elements — Build up Your Setup & Create Custom Attraction Weight Values — Vellum Constraints for Optimal Control on Clumps & Granular Look — About Crazy Particle Behavior — Pyro Implementation for Thinner Dust — Multiple Container Setup & Wedging — Turn Collisions into a Velocity Field Source — Setting up TOP Net for Wedging Containers — Rendering Overview & Final Thoughts For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at https://thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials. </video> <video> Maya for Animators: Body Mechanics with Erik A. Castillo Description: In this intermediate-level workshop, following from Intro to Maya for Animators, Erik Castillo explores the core principles that bring 3D characters to life: Start your free trial to The Gnomon Workshop training library today: https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/maya-for-animators-body-mechanics/ FUNDAMENTAL ANIMATION PRINCIPLES Using Maya, Erik focuses on understanding and applying fundamental animation concepts like squash and stretch, anticipation, timing, balance, and follow-through to create realistic and expressive movements. Designed for those familiar with Maya, this workshop aims to help animators elevate their understanding of how body mechanics affect a character’s movement and overall performance. Through practical, hands-on exercises, artists will explore the process of creating believable actions such as lifting objects, standing, walking cycles, and more. The workshop includes an analysis of famous animation sequences to see how professionals tackle complex body mechanics. By the end, students will clearly grasp how to make characters move naturally and with intent, using the principles discussed to refine and polish their animation sequences. Whether you’re looking to solidify your fundamentals or gain new insight into body mechanics, this workshop offers the essential building blocks to improve your animation skills and deepen your understanding of character movement in CG. The demonstrations in the workshop utilize ProRigs. CHAPTERS: — Introduction — Foundations of Animation for Body Mechanics — Core Principles of Body Mechanics — Simple Walk Cycles — Animation Examples & Analysis — In Closing For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at https://thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials. </video> <video> Designing Sci-Fi Props for Film with Kris Turvey #fusion360tutorial #scifiprops #mayatutorial Description: Beginning with his mind-mapping process to generate ideas, Kris explains how to develop concepts quickly in Photoshop. Moving on from Photoshop, he takes a selected design into Fusion, showcasing the various parametric 3D modeling techniques he uses to create fabrication-ready 3D models. To complete the workflow, he demonstrates how to take your final Fusion model into Substance Painter to apply materials and generate final presentation renders efficiently. Ready to get started? ⚫Watch now at thegnomonworkshop.com #photoshoptutorial #mayatutorial #fusion360 #substancepainter #scifiprops #conceptart #3dmodel #productiondesign </video> <video> Maya for Animators: Body Mechanics with Erik A. Castillo #maya #animation Description: Create for 3D artists already familiar with Maya, this new workshop aims to help animators elevate their understanding of how body mechanics affect a character’s movement and overall performance. Through practical, hands-on exercises, artists will explore the process of creating believable actions such as lifting objects, standing, walking cycles, and more. Ready to get started? ⚫Watch now at https://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/maya-for-animators-body-mechanics/ #animation #animator #maya #mayatutorial #animatedmovie #animatedfilm #stylizedcharacter #3danimation #squashandstretch #dreamworks #professionalartist #workshop #computergraphics #digitalart #digitalartist #creativeprocess #thegnomonworkshop #gnomonworkshop #gnomonworkshopinstructor #gnomon #gnomonworkshopinstructor #learnsomethingnew #tipsandtricks </video>

Contacts and Links

Description

Founded by Alex Alvarez in 2000, The Gnomon Workshop was established to share professional techniques with those unable to attend the award-winning Gnomon School in Hollywood, California.

At The Gnomon Workshop, we understand that it’s not always possible to study on campus or take online classes in a different timezone. That’s why our library of over 300 video workshops — that’s over 1,000 hours of tuition — is available 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

We’ve been creating video training for over two decades. Our founder has worked on blockbusters including Avatar, Star Trek, Super 8, and Prometheus, and has been teaching some of the world’s most successful CG artists for over 20 years.

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