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Updated in [September 27th, 2023]

What does this course tell?
(Please note that the following overview content is from the original platform)When you first start out the process of painting and shading skin in CG can be a daunting undertaking riddled with both technical and artistical challenges Too often the creative process will grind to a halt due to either a technical problem or uncertainty of the best way to progressThis course will take you through the entire process from A to Z teaching you a production proven workflow for creating skin textures and building skin shaders used by professional vfx artists in studios all around the world We will delve deep into both the technical aspects of the workflow as well as the creative thought process behind our decisions making sure to explain not only the "how" but also the "why" of we use these techniquesThis way of painting textures is one that I use on a daily basis as a senior visual effects artist and is filled to the brim with techniques that I have personally used on anything from small local commercials to Hollywood blockbuster feature filmsMy hope for this course is to leave you with a thorough understanding of how to paint and shade CG skin for any type of character as well as the confidence to both apply and adjust the workflow to whatever personal or professional project you undertake going forward as a character artistMain Topics :- Model review- Introduction to Mari and its powerful painting tools- Using skin scan textures to projection paint detailed skin displacement and color maps- A node based workflow for texture painting in Mari- Hand painting control and utility masks in Mari for added shader complexity- Whiteboard lessons explaining file formats displacement technicalities and the UDIM workflow- Building a complex node based skin shader in Arnold from scratch- Real time and timelapse recordings showing the entire texture painting process- Evaluating your own work throughout the process to plan your progress- Basic render settings in Arnold for MayaWhile I do try to cover every part of the tools and techniques we use throughout the course this is not a Mari or Maya fundamentals course and some prior knowledge of working with 3D software is recommended If anything is unclear feel free to ask questions in the Q&A section and I will do my best to fill in the gapsIncluded materials:- Character head model ready for texture painting (two versions of head model available based on your version of Mari)- Maya look development scene file with lighting setup ready- HDRI environment light textures from HdriHaven- Zbrush displacement maps (two versions available based on your version of Mari)NOT INCLUDED:- Skin scan textures I use a multi channel set purchased from wwwtexturingxyz in this course but the workflow should be applicable for most types of skin scan sets on the market You will need one texture set for displacement and one for skin color (these do not have to be matched and can come from different sets) - Software licenses for Mari or Maya Both software packages have trial versions available for download Mari also has a Non-Commercial version available for personal use with some minor limitations (still totally usable for this course)
We considered the value of this course from many aspects, and finally summarized it for you from two aspects: skills and knowledge, and the people who benefit from it:
(Please note that our content is optimized through artificial intelligence tools and carefully reviewed by our editorial staff.)
What skills and knowledge will you acquire during this course?
During this course on Skin Texturing and Shading in Mari and Arnold, the learner will acquire the following skills and knowledge:

1. Understanding the production-proven workflow for creating skin textures and building skin shaders used by professional VFX artists in studios worldwide.
2. Learning the technical aspects of the workflow, including the use of powerful painting tools in Mari and the node-based workflow for texture painting.
3. Using skin scan textures to projection paint detailed skin displacement and color maps.
4. Hand painting control and utility masks in Mari to add shader complexity.
5. Gaining knowledge about file formats, displacement technicalities, and the UDIM workflow through whiteboard lessons.
6. Building a complex node-based skin shader in Arnold from scratch.
7. Observing real-time and timelapse recordings of the entire texture painting process.
8. Evaluating one's own work throughout the process to plan progress effectively.
9. Understanding basic render settings in Arnold for Maya.
10. Developing the confidence to apply and adjust the workflow to any personal or professional project as a character artist.

It is important to note that this course assumes some prior knowledge of working with 3D software, as it does not cover Mari or Maya fundamentals extensively. However, the instructor encourages learners to ask questions in the Q&A section to clarify any uncertainties. The course materials include a character head model for texture painting, a Maya look development scene file with a lighting setup, HDRI environment light textures, and Zbrush displacement maps. Skin scan textures are not included but can be obtained from various sources. Software licenses for Mari or Maya are also required, but trial versions and a non-commercial version of Mari are available for download.
Who will benefit from this course?
This course on Skin Texturing and Shading in Mari and Arnold will benefit individuals interested in or working in the field of visual effects (VFX) and character art. Specifically, it will be useful for:

1. VFX Artists: Professional VFX artists working in studios around the world will benefit from this course as it teaches a production-proven workflow for creating skin textures and building skin shaders. The course covers both the technical aspects of the workflow and the creative thought process behind the decisions, providing a thorough understanding of how to paint and shade CG skin for any type of character.

2. Character Artists: Individuals working as character artists will find this course valuable as it provides techniques and workflows used by senior visual effects artists. The course covers topics such as model review, using skin scan textures, hand painting control and utility masks, and building complex node-based skin shaders in Arnold. It also includes real-time and timelapse recordings of the texture painting process.

3. 3D Artists: Those with prior knowledge of working with 3D software, such as Mari and Maya, will benefit from this course. It provides insights into the powerful painting tools in Mari and a node-based workflow for texture painting. Additionally, it covers basic render settings in Arnold for Maya.

4. Students and Beginners: While this course assumes some prior knowledge of working with 3D software, it can still be beneficial for students and beginners who are interested in learning about skin texturing and shading. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the process, explaining both the "how" and the "why" of the techniques used.

Course Syllabus

Introduction

Painting Fine Displacement Textures in Mari Using Skin Scans

Displacement Shader Setup in Arnold for Maya

Painting Skin Color Textures In Mari & Building Our First Arnold SSS Shader

Upgrading Our LookDev Through Control Masks And Texture Updates

Building Your Final Skin Shader

Wrapping up!