The internet is full of free resources to use in order to make your life as a 3D artist easier. There are many reasons to download models rather than creating one from scratch. To save time, save money or even for testing lighting. As long as you follow the users rules, it is perfectly acceptable to download these models. Below is a list of 27 websites to download 3D models. Mr Cad http://www.mrcad.com CG Tuts http://cg.tutsplus.com The Singularity   http://www.users.on.net Archive 3D http://archive3d.net Artists 3D http://artist-3d.com 3d Xtras http://www.3dxtras.com Amazing 3D http://www.amazing3d.com 3D Kingdom http://www.3dk.org 3DM3 http://www.3dm3.com/modelsbank 3D Magic Mantra   http://www.3dmagicmantra.com 3D Magic Models http://www.3dmagicmodels.com 3D Valley http://www.3dvalley.com 3D Plants http://3dplants.com Space Jetters http://www.spacejetters.co.uk Car Body Design http://www.carbodydesign.com 3D Total   http://www.3dtotal.com Google Sketchup Warehouse http://sketchup.google.com 3D Model Free http://www.3dmodelfree.com dlegend http://dlegend.com NASA http://www.nasa.gov WireCase http://www.wirecase.com Adobe Tools http://www.adobe-tools.com 3DSMaxOnline http://3dsmaxonline.com 3Delicious http://www.3delicious.net Top 3D Models http://www.top3dmodels.com Render Light http://www.renderlight.it 3D Auto Club http://3d-auto-club.blogspot.com

I have been reading the PSDTUTS and AETUTS tutorial blogs for a while, part of the ENVATO network of sites. They have amazing tutorials for Photoshop and After Effects. It's really great especially if you are new to both programs. I use both Photoshop and After Effects on a daily and found both sites extremely usefull. Even if only for inspiration. I found out today that they launched a new site called CGTUTS (about a week ago), and from just browsing their site breifly, I can already tell you that this site is going to be a great resource for the CG artist.  I'm excited to see what other artists out there can do and are willing to share of their knowledge. I have been loooking for a good ZBRUSH / 3D modeling tutorial combo. I hope part II of the tutorial shows you how to export normal maps out of ZBRUSH back into 3DS Max for rendering and animation. I think this site is going to be amazing, definatley one to add to your RSS feeds.

The human head is one of the most difficult subjects to model. The structure and form of a human face is so familiar to everyone that even a small fault in the 3D model is easy to notice. The head will get its final form when Meshsmooth modifier is added to it. When the Meshsmooth modifier is added to it the face becomes a so called subdivision surface. Subdivision surface means a surface which is created by dividing the original surface into smaller polygons. Meshmooth modifier does exactly this. This tutorial from http://www.secondpicture.com covers the basics of modeling a human head from rough polygons down to subdivision and meshsmooth. View Tutorial

This section is the first of many lessons aimed at beginners who wish to learn 3D concepts. More specifically, this is written for users who wish to learn 3D Studio Max. This section covers basic 3D concepts. and does not go over any of the 3D Studio Max interface, which will be covered in Chapter 2. For those of you who are early readers, note that I am writing the chapters as I go so the only thing I have completed so far is Chapter 1. Objectives Learn 3D basics Define the third Dimension Understand X, Y, and Z axes List some of the 3D software available What is 3D and Why do we User 3D Software? This may seem like obvious answers to simple questions. But before you can begin building in 3D, you need to understand what it is and what tools are needed in order to create these graphics Let’s begin by defining the three dimensions: Zero dimension: A point is an example of a zero-dimensional object. It defines a point in space but has no length, height, or width. First dimension: A one-dimensional object is a single line. It has length but no height or depth. Second dimension: A two-dimensional object has any two of the following three ...

A single 3D model can demand thousands of dollars in profit when sold to graphics or design companies. For a 3D model to command such a high price it must be highly accurate and lifelike. Creating polygonal models has shown to be more profitable than creating other types of 3D models such as b-spline or NURBs 3D models. This being said, many buyers of 3D models take into account that NURBs models can be transitioned into polygonal models, but it is not possible to create a NURB model from a polygonal 3D model. There are high market values for models that are lifelike - whether they are human models, organ models or models of household items or furniture. These 3D models are necessary within video games and other animations. These lifelike models can take extensive periods of time to complete and therefore it is important to focus on specific aspects of the model. For example, when making a model of a popular vehicle, create the exterior of the vehicle first, but overlook parts of the vehicle that are not going to be required - such as the engine, or trunk. In order for the artist to reach high earnings levels they must have an ...

I received information today from Autodesk that they have signed an agreement to acquire Softimage, another very powerful 3D software. The acquisition is expected to close next month, until then, Autodesk and Softimage will continue operating independently. We are pleased to announce that Autodesk and Avid Technology have signed a definitive agreement for Autodesk to acquire substantially all of the assets of Softimage, a Canadian subsidiary of Avid Technology. We are excited by this opportunity to join forces, combining two strong teams into a world-class center for computer graphics software research and development. Both Softimage and Autodesk Media & Entertainment are headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Softimage has been developing state-of-the-art 3D technology for more than 20 years. Its products are recognized as best-ofbreed in the entertainment industry. With nine million users, Autodesk is a world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the media and entertainment, manufacturing, building and construction markets. Autodesk now has a majority of the powerful 3D software out there, including Autocad, 3D Studio Max and Maya, which was purchased about 3 years ago from Alias. Some of the other 3D software not owned by Autodesk includes Blender, Cinema 4D, Lightwave and Bryce. What does this mean for Softimage users? ...

Need some inspiration for your next CG character. Check out these amazing CG characters, from goblins, robots, witches and women. This list covers quite a few of the different types and styles of CG characters. Title: Evil Witch Artist: Sven Geruschkat URL: http://www.svenger.de/ Title: Obsolete Artist: Pawel Hynek URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=430849 Title: Alien Artist: Damien Canderle URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=528186 Title: Don Quixote de la Mancha Artist: Fabricio Moraes URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=502979 Title: Old Lady Artist: Krishnamurti Martins Costa URL: http://www.antropus.com/ TItle: Salad Artist: Till Nowak URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=432943 Title: Frost GIant Artist: Jérôme Denjean URL: http://www.jed-online.com Title: Pink Sugar Artist: Olivier Ponsonnet URL: http://re1v.free.fr/imgup/PinkSugarFull.jpg Title: Opal Child Artist: Olivier Ponsonnet URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=641720 Title: Mr. Coutinho Artist: Wesclei3d URL: http://www.3dk.org/m/artgallery/Mr-Coutinho_44d.html Title: White Teeth Artist: Jonathan Simard URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=378998 Title: Jimi Hendrix Artist: Marcin Klicki URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=431478 Title: N/A Artist: Oliver Cannone URL: http://www.gameartisans.org TItle: Arnold Artist: Patrick Beaulieu URL: http://www.squeezestudio.com/Gallery.htm Title: Suzie Artist: Andrew Hickinbottom URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=428656 Title: Forest Golbin Artist: Caroline Delen URL: http://www.carolinedelen.com Title: Lady of Shalott Artist: Yang Zhang URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=450726 Title: Pavlin Artist: Anton Bugaev URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=608361 Title: The Beast Artist: Thaddeus Maharaj URL: http://www.cgchannel.com/gallery/viewimage.jsp?imgID=17587 Title: Don't Feed The Plant Artist: Alberto Lozano URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=496863 Title: Bad Assassin Artist: Lon Krung URL: http://www.cgchannel.com/gallery/viewimage.jsp?imgID=17736 Title: Fat Mafia Boss Artist: D-E-A-N URL: http://www.3dk.org/m/artgallery/Fat-Mafia-Boss_979.html Title: The Penguin Artist: Adam Schuman URL: http://gameartisians.org TItle: Lil Napoleon Artist: Jonathan Simard URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=468115 Title: Automaton Artist: Almacon URL: http://www.3dk.org/m/artgallery/Automaton_bc7.html Title: Blobby Bubble Artist: Patrick Beaulieu URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=464953 Title: We Are Not Alone 2 Artist: Damien Canderle URL: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=484714 Title: Open Green Artist: Andrius Balciunas URL: http://www.cgchannel.com/gallery/viewimage.jsp?imgID=17619

When using 3D Studio Max, its always important to become more efficient the more you progress. A keyfactor in that is learning hotkeys. Autodesk will give you a handy dandy reference cube when you order 3D Studio Max 2009, with a bunch of common hotkeys and shortcuts on each one of the six sides. I have listed out a few of those hotkeys and shortcuts so you can use this as a quick reference while using 3ds Max. Main UI Angle Snap Toggle - A Auto Key Mode Toggle - N Camera View - C Display as See-Through Toggle - Alt + X Fetch - Alt + Ctrl + F Hold - Ctrl + H Grid Toggle - G Material Editor Toggle - M Maximize Viewport Toggle - Alt + W Perspective User View - P Render - Shift + Q Redraw All View - Single Quote Redo Scene Operation - Ctrl + Y Redo Viewport Operation - Shift + Y Set Keys - K Show Edges - F4 Smooth + Highlights/Wireframe Toggle - F3 Transform Gizmo Toggle - X Undo Scene Operation - Ctrl + Z Undo Viewport Operation - Shift + Z Zoom Extents All - Shift + Ctrl + Z Zoom Extents All Selected - Z Toggle SteeringWheels Feature (only for 2009) - Shift + W Toggle ViewCube Visibility (only for ...