Introduction to Softimage 2012
In this Softimage tutorial, we will help you get a strong understanding of Softimage and how it works. Software required: Softimage.
What you'll learn
In this Softimage tutorial, we will help you get a strong understanding of Softimage and how it works. You will get the chance to work with many of the Softimage instructors here at Digital-Tutors who will show you how to use some of the major components of this powerful application. We'll start the tutorial by giving you the foundational skills and vocabulary you'll need in order to move around within Softimage, and then we'll jump right into the Modeling section of the tutorial. After completing the Modeling section, you'll get the chance try your hand at Texturing, Rigging, Animation, ICE Dynamics, and finally, Lighting and Rendering your own animation. Our goal is not to weigh you down with technical information, but rather to help you develop good workflow habits and allow you to reach a point where you can be very comfortable using Softimage. Software required: Softimage.
Table of contents
- Moving in the Softimage 3D Workspace 6m
- Overview of the Softimage User Interface 8m
- Viewport Display Settings 7m
- Camera Memos in Softimage 3m
- Setting up a Softimage Project 7m
- Selecting and Moving Objects 8m
- Advanced Transform Tool Settings 10m
- Adjusting Object Centers in Softimage 7m
- Using the Render Region in Softimage 5m
- Object Display Layers in Softimage 6m
- Understanding the Softimage Explorer 7m
- Working with Property Pages in Softimage 8m
- Modeling Section Overview 1m
- Geometry Components in Softimage 11m
- Advanced Component Selections 7m
- Using the Softimage Operator Stack 9m
- Lofting Curves to Create Solid Geometry 9m
- Projecting and Trimming Surfaces in Softimage 9m
- Extruding Curves to Create Geometry 9m
- Lofting the Shape of the Aircraft Wing 7m
- Cleaning up Our Scene 3m
- Generating Curves Between Intersecting Surfaces 10m
- Converting Surfaces to Polygons 8m
- Extracting Polygons from Meshes 9m
- Extruding Polygons in Softimage 15m
- Mirroring Geometry in Softimage 5m
- Modeling the Main Engine of Our Aircraft 13m
- Extruding the Shapes of the Engine Thrusters 12m
- Using the Proportional Modeling Tool in Softimage 11m
- Revolving Curves to Create Geometry 8m
- Duplicating an Array of Objects in Softimage 8m
- Extruding Polygons Along Curves 11m
- Merging Polygon Meshes in Softimage 8m
- Extracting Existing Polygons to Create New Geometry 9m
- Creating the Windshield of Our Aircraft 12m
- Creating the Rear Fin for the Ship 6m
- Adding Final Details to Aircraft Body 8m
- Modeling with Deformers in Softimage 9m
- Merging Multiple Softimage Scene Files 8m
- Texturing Section Overview 1m
- Applying Materials to Softimage Geometry 7m
- Adding Color Maps to Materials 6m
- Controlling Texture Placement on Softimage Geometry 9m
- Adding Bump Maps to Softimage Materials 7m
- Working with Procedural Textures in Softimage 12m
- Adding Transparency and Reflection to Softimage Materials 8m
- Adding Glow to Softimage Objects 8m
- Rigging Introduction and Project Overview 1m
- Setting up Control Curves 9m
- Finishing the Animation Control 11m
- Selection Filters and Display Layers 4m
- Modifying an Object's Pivot Point and Orientation with Nulls 10m
- Working with Clusters 6m
- Custom Parameters 9m
- Controlling Parameters with the Parameter Connection Editor 10m
- Utilizing the Expression Editor in Softimage 6m
- Automating Movement with Expressions 4m
- Regulating the Speed of Our Engine's Turbine 2m
- Working with Groups 4m
- Creating a Global Movement Control 4m
- Creating Bone Chains in Softimage 9m
- Connecting the Fueling Line's Bone Chain to the Airship 6m
- Softimage's Enveloping Process 5m
- Cleaning up Our Control Rig 7m
- Animation Introduction and Project Overview 1m
- Playback Controls / Creating and Editing Keys on the Timeline 12m
- Managing Keyframes in the Animation Editor 10m
- Seamlessly Cycling Animation 4m
- Path Animation 8m
- Banking Objects Along a Path 6m
- Understanding Autokey 5m
- Ghosting Objects in Softimage 7m
- Render Real-time Previews of Our Animations with Captures 5m
- Dynamics Section Overview 1m
- Working with Ice Dynamics and Particles 6m
- Emitting Ice Particles from a Null and Viewing the Ice Tree 10m
- Editing Our Ice Particle Emitter Node for a Smoke Effect 11m
- Modifying Our Particles with Other Ice Nodes 14m
- Using the Ice Particle Volume Material with the Particle Color 12m
- Lighting and Rendering Section Overview 1m
- Overview of Softimage Light Types 6m
- Exploring Common Parameters of Softimage Lights 8m
- Adding Soft Shadows to Softimage Lights 6m
- Controlling Render Visibility of Softimage Objects 6m
- Adding Image-based Lighting to Our Softimage Scenes 10m
- Rendering Final Animation from Softimage 16m
About the authors
Kyle was one of the first authors for Digital-Tutors, now a Pluralsight company. and has been a part of the team for over 10 years. Kyle began his career in computer graphics education as a college instructor and worked as a Digital-Tutors rendering tutor and curriculum manager since 2002. Kyle has contributed to many of the most popular projects and helped the Digital-Tutors team win awards throughout the company's history. Kyle has had the honor of having his art exhibited at the New York ... more
Delano works avidly as an animation author at Pluralsight. Starting his career at animation studios like Shilo, Delano has developed a strong passion for his talents. His animation and rigging background help him teach and create some of the most-watched training on Pluralsight. A few of his favorite projects that he has contributed to include: Character Interaction in Maya and in Softimage, Rigging the Human Face in Maya, Rigging Sea Creatures in Maya, and Rigging and Animating Transforming... more
Along with creating and recording training, he also used to manage the support team and work closely with the production development team at Digital-Tutors, now a Pluralsight company. He began his career working freelance and quickly realized that he wanted to find a company where he could use his talents to help people succeed in the CG industry. Chris has likely watched more Pluralsight creative training than anyone on the planet, and its evidenced by his Einstein-sized brain and encyclopedic... more