Hi...
I posted this a while back, but figured it is due for a re-post for the newer users..
I have collected a fairly comprehensive list of Combustion training resources. This list is always being updated, but is current as of JUNE 2003.
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First and Foremost -- PLEASE REMEMBER to START with the FREE Lessons & Tutorials that are available from Discreet.... They are on the DEMO CD-ROM, or you can find and download them here:
http://www.discreet.com/products/co...\_tutorials.html
These Lessons all have have PDF files with instructions for the lesson, as well as ZIP files with the media, workspace files, and sample AVI/MOV files. If you come from AE, note the last lesson too!
Here is the summary of free lessons:
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
Combustion for AE users (four more lessons and tips)
Next - Here is a brief rundown of some MORE FREE COMBUSTION TRAINING resources:
WEBSITES WITH Combustion INFO. ARTICLES & FREE TUTORIALS, some also have Chat Rooms, etc. ----
http://www.CreativeCOW.net (Chat room, Tutorials, articles, etc.)
http://www.3d-palace.com chatroom, and free C tutorials as DIVX videos.
http://www.highend2d.com/combustion/ chatroom
http://www.3d-buzz.com >> has a great Combustion VTM (Video Training Magazine) & chatroom
http://www.FXGuide.com >> Extensive Combustion Tips & Tricks postings, articles & chatroom
http://www.VFXTalk.com > News Articles and chatroom
http://www.CGTalk.com > Home of the 3D Festival - with a Combustion Chatroom
Here are some other individuals sites worth mentioning, in no particular order... And special THANKS go to these individuals who created these resources!
http://www.northgatestudios.com/combustion/ Lee "Rod" Roderick's Tutorials - These are ZIPPED CWS workspaces (some have rendered QTs.) Although they don't include descriptive text, those who like to "reverse engineer" a CWS can quickly learn HOW things are done ! Summary of Lessons:
-4_corner_track - Pasting a clip on moving video
cube - cube tutorial
-freeze_frame - a'la Camera Pan effect
-heat_haze - creating heat distrotions
-meteor_reflect - Particle trail w/reflection
-ribbon - Making material fly like a flag.
-romeo_credits - Motion Graphics Show Opening
-sign_wipe_from_Cow_West - Sign wipe with reflections.
-smoke_to_text - Using Particles (the same as the CreativeCow Tutorial)
-text_mask - motion blur with mask / text.
http://www.bmunkres.com/tutorials/combustionTutorials.htm
(PowerUser/Trainer Ben Munkres provides a geat tutorial working in 3D space, with 10 pg PDF.)
http://www.discreet-training.com/inset\_free.html (Gary Davis's kool help guides)
http://www.ddb.co.za/fede/combustion\_tutorial/index.htm (particles tutorial - replacing emitters)
http://www.digitalproducer.com/2003/01\_jan...mbustion\_ae.htm
Tutorial for After Effects Users: Illustrator file import & use.
http://enemy.mesmer.com/moebius/FMPro?-db=...ip=1&-find=
(Tutorial teaching combustion paint tools to Create a Hammer-Ring Tatoo)
http://www.digitalpostproduction.com/2003/...als/com\_ae3.htm
(Helpful Article for those Transitioning from After Effects to Combustion!)
NON-English sites:
German > http://www.slashcam.de/katalog/Software\_Co...Combustion.html
French > http://www.lagrenouilleblue.com/lagrenouil...p;nom=graphisme
If you are ready to spend money to learn, Discreet does sell their Courseware, which is what they use when you buy one of their Discreet classes:
Discreet Combustion v2 Courseware-with CD-ROM, used at the Discreet Training Centers in the official Discreet classes worldwide. There are priced at approximately US $ 75.00 and can be ordered through your local Discreet Dealer. 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) There is my book, which is the first third party training book on the market. Called "Combustion v2: The On-line WebWarriors Guide" You can read about it here: http://www.mci.dk/combustion or check the review at www.CreativeCow.net (under book reviews.) Note that my WebWarrior Book is billed as a Tips & Tricks Guide to provide help to speed up any user and make them more efficient, not just as a beginner tool. If you are a beginner, I suggest you get the Discreet Courseware. When you buy my book, you also get a subscription to updates, announcements, tips and tricks. In May 2003, I released (for free download to those who bought the book) another tutorial teaching Motion Graphics. So, my book is a book that "keeps on giving."
2) Coming soon is the Advanced Combustion training DVDs: Three power users/trainers, Lee "Rod" Roderick, Gary M. Davis, and Ken LaRue have teamed up to create lessons and tutorials based on real world projects for the advanced user. Each volume of the series will have a 3 to 4 hours of training on 2 to 3 DVD's. Check them out at http://www.thestreetproductions.com
3) There is a very good (and long) DVD / VHS Video set with 14 hours of training and tutorials, also taught by Ken LaRue and available from Technical Animations (www.techanim.com)
4) Coming up in the later this year a new book available on www.amazon.com called