CMIVFX or Gnomon DVD bundle to learn Shake?

[Arthemiogod]

Hello, First time posting. I am trying to learn compositing and eventhough I am still trying to figure out what machine to get- ie macbook or the macbook pro- I am already looking for a source to learn Shake.

So, I am debating if to get the CMIVFX or the Gnomon Bundle. Any suggestions?

Links to both dvds:

http://www.cmivfx.com/products.asp

http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/dvds/shk_ble.html

I will send another inquire about suggestions on the computer specs I should get.

Thx.
Arthemio

[3dfx]

I like the gnomon dvds because they're super clear to view. I have the cmivfx shake also, but they're blurry. I guess they were transfered from vhs. I don't know about the new cmivfx dvds. Maybe they're of better quality now. For me, I like to see the menus and buttons clearly, without using a magnifying glass to figure out where the instructor is clicking. I've bought one tutorial once, and it was horrible. I barely could see anything clear. For beginners, always buy dvds that are clear so that you can see the user interface because you're not familiar w/ the program.

[3dfx]

hi,

check your private message. I sent you a reply

[maynard]

All the new ones are High definition, AND for the rest of this week i will cut the price of the kits in half just to prove it. Now top that!

Fact is the first 3 dvd's are in a lower rez. the rest are in super high res.

Shake didnt change enough to redo the first 3 dvd's AND since they are moving away from shake... the only shake videos to come will be the migration from shake to fusion.

Which is tested and works great on the intel based macs BTW.

anyway, to get this great half price deal.... AND TO PROVE WHAT IS BEST... half price on the 8 DVD kit for shake. (That includes the good stuff)

email me at chris@cmistudios.com for a coupon code.

[Arthemiogod]

good offer Chris, but I am still not ready to buy.
When you said

AND since they are moving away from shake... the only shake videos to come will be the migration from shake to fusion.

who are they and why are they migrating to fusion?

Regarless of the quality of the dvds, anyone knows which of them offer the best tutorials from beginning to end?

thx

[maynard]

have you seen the free tutorials yet?

http://www.cmivfx.com/tutorials.asp

there are a bunch of them. Of course the DVD's are much more structured for learning. But these are tips and tricks that you can use every day.



the migrators are the VFX compositors either going to Fusion or Nuke for obvious reasons. Those reasons are the dropping of the shake line. The next app from apple will be included with the final cut pro kits most likely. VFX Film compositors are a slightly different breed, yes? so they are going to want something designed specifically for them. Not nesc, the fcp appo extensions.

HOWEVER, im not taking ANYTHING away from the apple pro apps. they are great. And amazing deal. But lots of big studios use linux. And its safe to say that there will be no shake linux soon. Or apple pro apps in linux. However fusion 54.1 is linux and so is NUKE, and so is toxik, get my point?

I personally am not a fan of using linux, but never the less... its very dominant in the VFX biz for diskless computer systems. (longer story there)


-c

[maynard]

3dfx, by the way the videos you see up on the torrent files are the low quality videos. im guessing that is where you saw them. current videos are blazing high quality. the highest in the biz actually.

[Arthemiogod]

Damn! Chris, this does not sounds good for me. I feel down to hear Shake is going to be discontinued.
For most of you this is an old news but me who just want to get into learning compositing is a blown away news specially since the next/generation version "Phenomenon" or whatever apple is going to call it will be so expensive.

This caught me offguard really.

Here is an iPod interview on the discontinuation of Shake w/Dion Scoppettuolo/from Apple headquarters recorded June 27th.:
iPod
article on the issue

Arthemio

[maynard]

the new product could be free with final cut studio. who knows? only apple right now.

learn fusion. or nuke :\ or toxik or flame

learning flame is still good to learn procedural compositing.. dont give up. you can apply your knowledge to other applications. jump on into shake. when your ready, i can help you jump to the next app quickly.

-c

[Arthemiogod]

wow, that sounds so cool that you could give me a hand to transition to another version after i've learn Shake. I am thinking seriously to get the app. Perhaps after some of it I will be at another level understanding the different compositing app out there.


thx a great deal, Chris.

Arthemio

[Arthemiogod]

forgot to mention, yes, i saw the tutorials. very good. abrupt ending perhaps because are free and are for samples... very good though.
thx.
Arthemio

[maynard]

thanks mate. we only get better with time,

[clicknroll]

cmivfx to understand shake and to get a free and creative aproach,
and gnomon for CC and expressions.
if you have to chose, go for cmi.
I hope it makes sense.

regards,
c.

[maynard]

click,

we can definately live with that! thanks

[jbills]

It's just my opinion, but I found the Gnomon DVDs to be much more in depth and easy to understand than previous CMI offerings, which seemed rushed and full of info I could've got reading the manual.

I've not seen the latest "HD" version that have been discussed, hopefully they've gotten better than the old set.

The Gnomon DVDs are presented well, with great real world example footage to play with. Their Nuke DVDs are also excellent. All of the instructors have loads of film credits and it's a noticable difference in the level of instruction and clarity of presentation. Lots of good habits to pick up in there! Again, just my opinion.

If I were going to learn a compositing app right now, I'd go with something being currently developed like Nuke. Although, anything you learn for shake should directly apply. If there's a certain shop you'd like to work at, find out what they use!