2004 Combustion Resources List: Tuts-Tips-Books-DVDs
Hi..
Over the years (well, since Combustion Version 1 anyway) I have compiled a rather "complete" list of free tutorials, websites, chat rooms and user websites...
Now, with the start of 2004, it is time for an Update...
Start point: Discreet has a rather new COMBUSTION RESOURCES page, which also mentions many of the links below:
http://www.discreet..../resources.html
Free Combustion version 2 Tutorials: As you may already know, there are over 13 FREE Cv2 Tutorials that are available directly from Discreet, and these will work with Cv3 as well. Discreet has mentioned that they are working on more Cv3 specific free tutorials, and they will be out later. The Cv2 tuts are downloadable here:
http://www.discreet...._tutorials.html
These Lessons cover almost all the "essential basics" and have PDF files with instructions for each lesson, as well as ZIP files with the media, workspace files, and sample AVI/MOV files. Here is the summary of free lessons:
-Intro: Welcome to combustion (PDF - 301 KB) which includes Detailed descriptions of the lessons, terms, the conventions used in the tutorials, as well as instructions for setting the preferences needed for the tutorials
-Lesson 1: Touring combustion
-Lesson 2: Creating Composites in 2D Space
-Lesson 3: Compositing in 3D Space
-Lesson 4: Using Paint
-Lesson 5: Tracking and Stabilizing
-Lesson 6: Keying
-Lesson 7: Using Garbage Masks
-Lesson 8: Color Correcting
-Lesson 9: Animating Particle Effects PDF
-Lesson 10: Working with Paint Selections
-Lesson 11: Animating Layers in 3D Space
-Lesson 12: Working with Motion Graphics
-Lesson 13: Using Scenes from 3ds max
-Bonus:Combustion for AE users (four more lessons and tips)
Next: Discreet has posted over 30 free finished Combustion Workspaces to demonstrate basic effects and composites for download. You can open these up, inspect them, change and modify them and save them as your own. Or, by simple "reverse engineering" you can to learn how they were made. Get them at: http://www.discreet....tion/workspace/
Here is a Rundown of some of the FREE TRAINING websites -- most offer chatrooms, tutorials and tips.
The CreativeCOW Combustion Forum at: http://www.creativec....php?forumid=14
Don't forget to review the variety of Creative COW FREE COMBUSTION Tutorials: http://www.creativec...combustion.html
The "combustion exchange FTP site" also known as the Alex Site, where Combustion users can upload/download and exchange images, workspaces, and setups with other users. Much explanation and comments of the material here is posted at the CreativeCOW Combustion Forum. The Alex site Address: ftp://combustionexchange.no-ip.com Note: Login: " combustion_user " and password: " learn "
For Spanish speaking Combustion users, there is a Spanish version that mirrors the Alex ftp site, and including explanations in Español here: http://www.swimmexico.net/esmouk/
Discreet has their own "official Combustion User Forum" which requires registration for participation. Quite frequently, Discreet Technical Support Staff drop in and offer comments, solutions and advice. Visit: http://support.discr...dll/~combustion
http://www.3dbuzz.com >> offers a free downloadable Combustion v2 VTM (Video Training Magazine)
http://www.3d-palace.com also offers some free Cv2 DIVX video tutorials for download.
There is a Combustion Tips & Tricks List at: http://www.fxguide.c...ip_list&catid=8
RIGHT HER at VFXTalk.com.. And SPECIAL for Combustion Version 3 users, the VFXTalk website has added a unique Section of free downloadable Combustion v3 Expressions... As of todays date, there are two posts with three Expressions/Tuts - Click on scripts and be sure to "show all posts from the beginning."
http://www.vfxtalk.c...y.php?forumid=2
User websites - with Discreet Combustion Tutorials and help, and are really worth mentioning ... Thanks to all these people! These are Listed in No particular order...
http://www.northgate...com/combustion/ PowerUser/Trainer Lee "Rod" Roderick provides a buncha Tutorials - CWS's but no PDFs...
http://www.bmunkres....onTutorials.htm PowerUser/Trainer Ben Munkres provides a geat tutorial working in 3D space, with 10 pg PDF.
http://www.ddb.co.za...orial/index.htm Frederico offers a free particles tutorial.
http://www.discreet-...inset_free.html PowerUser/Trainer Gary Davis's kool help guides
More Interesting Websites:
If you are an After Effects User, be sure to read the following series of articles on Cv2 popsted last year at Digital Producer Magazine. Entitled "Combustion 2 for After Effects Users," the three articles are designed to help explain things....Nicely written by Kevin Schmitt.....
- Part 1: Working with Illustrator files
http://www.digitalpr...bustion_ae.htm-
Part 2: Working with Photoshop files
http://www.digitalpo...ustion_ae2.htm-
Part 3: A birds-eye view of the C2 interface
http://www.digitalpr..._26/com_ae3.htm
Yet another article, from Animation World Magazine, entitled "Combustion 2 in Action" written by Scott Jenkins. He reviews Combustion 2 and checks in with a production "in progress" to see how Combustion stacks up against key competitor After Effects.... Although it is over a year old, it is still a good read....
http://mag.awn.com/i...article_no=1437
You can also choose to BUY training material:
If you are ready to spend money to learn, Discreet does sell their Cv2 Courseware, which is still applicable to Cv3. this is the same courseware that is used at an official Discreet classe. The Discreet Combustion v2 Courseware includes a CD-ROM. Priced at approximately US $ 75.00, this can be ordered through your local Discreet Dealer. Again, these lessons will work with Cv3. WHAT YOU GET: Discreet combustion v2 Courseware Index- 37 Lessons with CD-ROM: Table of Contents: Part 1 - Using Paint = 1- learning Paint Basics ; 2 - Animation Text ; 3 - Exploring Draw Modes in Text ; 4 - Revealing a Background Image ; 5 - Wire Removal ; 6 - Creating Text Gradients ; 7 - Animating Gradients ; 8 - Combining Selections ; 9 - Animating Selections ; Part 2 - Fundamentals : 10 - Touring Combustion ; 11 - Creating Simple Composites ; 12 - Using Operators in a Composite ; Part 3 - Transforming Layers : 13 -Animating Layers Using Pivot Points ; 14 Keyframing ; Part 4 - Linking and Controlling Layers ; 15 -Cropping and Corner-Pinning ; 16 - Linking Layers Through Parenting ; 17 - Aligning Objects to a Motion Path ; 18 -Linking Layers with Hinging ; Part 5 - Changing Layer Surface Properties ; 19 - Setting Surface Properties ; 20 - Exploring Transfer Modes ; 21 - Displacing a Layer ; Part 6 - Using Channels, Mattes and Masks ; 22 - Using Alpha Channels ; 23 - Creating Channel Effects ; 24 - Using Masks ; Part 7 - Using Null Objects, Lights, and the Camera ; 25 - Animating with a Null Object ; 26 - Moving the Camera ; 27 - Creating Shadows with Lights ; Part 8 - Tracking and Stabilizing : 28 - One-Point Tracking ; 29 - Four-Point Tracking ; 30 - Two-Point Stabilizing ; Part 9 - Keying and Color Correcting : 31 - Using the Discreet Color Corrector ; 32 - Using the Discreet Keyer ; Part 10 Nesting Composites : 33 - Basic Nesting ; 34 - Creating a Motion Blur ; 35 - Importing Workspaces ; Part 11 - Additional Lessons: 36 - Working with Rich Pixel Renderings ; 37 - Creating Particles Effects Other "After Market" books and training materials....
1) The "Advanced Combustion v2" DVDs From "the Street Productions." These are great! My review of the first DVD is posted at the CreativeCOW: http://www.creativec...tdvd/index.html ) This is an excellent investment. Three power users/trainers, Lee "Rod" Roderick, Gary M. Davis, and Ken LaRue have teamed up to create 6.5 hours on four DVDS with 15 lesssons -- this is all real world projects for the advanced user, and well worth the påtice. This is the FIRST in a series, and the second one is already on it's way. Ken has also announced an entirly NEW Combustion V3 "Basics" DVD set as well. Get all the information from: http://www.thestreetproductions.com
2) There is an older Combustion Version 2 DVD Video set also available: although designed for just for Cv2 & also rather expensive, it does contain about 14 hours of Cv2 training and tutorials. That set is also taught by Ken LaRue (same guy as above) and is directly available from the supplier Technical Animations ( http://www.techanim.com )
3) The first Cv3 book is out Feb 20, 2004: It is written by Gary Davis, a discreet training specialist and called "The Focal Easy Guide to Discreet Combustion 3". I am very familiar with Gary and he has already shared some preliminary info about his book. From what I have seen, I fully expect Gary's book to be an excellent choice for Cv3 training. I can recommend it without hesitation, and it is also priced very VERY affordably -- This book is listed at Amazon.com and is available by special order from Amazon.UK
4) A second Combustion V3 book has also been announced: it is called "Combustion Ground Rules" and written by Todd Petersen, with a release date of May 1, 2004. Todd has written other books such as "3ds max Ground Rules." Since I don't know Todd at all, I can't say much about expectations of this book. This book is listed at Amazon.com as well as Amazon.UK
Note that my book is almost sold out... Copies may still be available directly from our Swedish supplier at: http://www.readit.se - info@readit.se
Whatever you do . . . . Keep Combustin' !
