The Gnomon Workshop has released Aaron Sims' newest title from his TETHERED ISLANDS DVD training series: BUILDING CREATURES USING ZBRUSH.
Sims uses an assortment of software packages to create his characters, and in this newest installment he gives us a look into the process he uses to build a creature in ZBrush, and then render it in an XSI scene.
"We're excited to release this new ZBrush title by Aaron Sims," says producer Alex Alvarez. "While in Aaron's other DVDs he blocks out his characters using XSI, moving on to ZBrush for detail and texture, this title offers a different approach. Now beginning from scratch in ZBrush, Aaron uses ZSpheres to quickly design and model the creature topology. He then executes all detailing and textures resulting in a finished 3D character design ready to be rigged, animated and rendered in XSI. It is an inspiring and informative process to observe and learn from."
Sims began designing, sculpting and painting creatures for the movie makeup effects industry in the mid 1980s. In 1988, he joined Rick Baker's Academy Award-winning Cinovation Studios Inc., where he worked on THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, MEN IN BLACK and HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. Later on he began exploring the medium of computer animation, joining Stan Winston Studio in 2000, where he began building SW-Digital, a CG department within the Academy Award- winning effects house. As art director, he designed for such films as A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, TERMINATOR 3, CONSTANTINE, DOOM and FANTASTIC 4.
Since 2000, The Gnomon Workshop (www.thegnomonworkshop.com) has provided artists and students with the educational resources they need to succeed as artists in the entertainment industries. Whether they're interested in design, modeling, vfx, animation, storytelling or matte painting, these DVDs provide a valuable educational resource for students around the world. The Gnomon Workshop is the sister company of The Gnomon School of Visual Effects, which provides professional caliber visual effects instruction to students and professionals in Los Angeles.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
