3D Texturing will give you the essential skills you need to take your modeling to the next level. From film to games to medical visualization to any other CG 3D industry, this training will guide you from simple primitive objects to complex processes between Maya, Zbrush, and Photoshop. Matthew will show you how to create objects for both film and game, and clearly delineate the differences between processes. Matthew will take you through two very challenging processes. First is the high polygon to low polygon retopologizing process needed for game artists, utilizing xNormal and Zbrush for the maps and Maya for the retopo. The second, Matthew lifts the fog on a tough Maya-to-Zbrush-to-Maya process of transferring highly detailed displacement maps from Zbrush to objects in Maya. He will take you through hours of Photoshop skills needed for the texture artist, and show you how to accurately tile textures, height maps, and more from photographic references, and frequently used tools for the texture artist. If you have no experience in Maya, then I highly recommend you download and train with Matthew’s Intro to 3D Modeling in Maya before beginning your 3D Texturing training. If you have no experience in Zbrush or Photoshop, no worries, Matthew will give you the information you need in these videos. It helps tremendously to have previous experience with traditional or computer generated painting, drawing, and sculpting in clay. This training is designed to meet the needs of a 16 week semester, and is a freshman/sophomore level course. There’s 16 hours and 20 minutes of training. If you do everything this training has to offer, then this training should take you approximately 300 hours to complete. It’s my advice you start at the beginning and work you’re way toward the end. See the descriptions and sample videos below to see what’s inside Volume I.
In chapter one you will learn texturing concepts, the texture library, organizational strategies, answer “What is UV and what is a texture?”, review my UV Guides, discuss scanned and photographed references, think flat, and tips for collecting references. In Chapter two you will be able to create primitive polygon default UVs, create UVs for polygons and surfaces, projection manipulator for applying a label, camera based projection, assign shaders per projection, polygon based unwrap, create UV sets, mix UV sets, effectively use automatic unwrapping, unfold a box, stack, mirror and tile UVs, duplicate UVs, and create a multi-object UV set.
In Chapter 3: Part 1 you will be able to create a simple cubical object, model it from reference, create a texture from scanned and photographic reference, sampling from the reference, painting out highlights, preserving the overall feel of the texture, keeping proportions, and create a render scene to mimic the lighting in the photograph.
In Chapter 3: Part 2 you will be able to differentiate shading models, where and when to use a shading model, compare and contrast shading models, shaders in Maya and Mental Ray, a look at the ramp shader and mia_material_x, a thorough look at the Hypershade, and a practice session for choosing a shading model.
In Chapter 4: Part 1 you will be able to unwrap a wine bottle with labels in two unique methods and differentiate the two methods. One method target high resolution rendering and the second targets real-time rendering. You’ll be able to mix texture from multiple UV sets, effectively use UV guides to measure texture scale, use and differentiate between a ramp texture and image file for alpha blending, use and differentiate between layered texture and layered shader.
In Chapter 4: Part 2 you will be able to create color maps and alpha images in Photoshop for use in your shader tree for the wine bottle, analyze wine label structure, control selections and masks to create a wine label silhouette, icons, and frames, control the typeface of the label, crop and reuse photographic imagery, use adjustment layers, filters, and FX layers, and creating the body label for the bottle.
In Chapter 4: Part 3 you will import the color map to Maya and apply the label to the wine bottle, then continue making the neck label color texture, and the cork texture. Create the initial settings for a wine bottle glass material using reflection, refraction, and sophisticated lighting methods, add a liquid object to the bottle, and discuss render settings. Then, you will be able to create color and specular maps for the game-style wine bottle unwrap, analyze the seams of a texture and solutions for seams, how to make grunge brushes, and render in real-time.
In chapter 5: part 1 and 2 you will be able to analyze reference and prepare the reference for color sampling, create a reference sheet for use in Zbrush, and custom color palettes. You’ll learn where it is appropriate to remove highlights and shadows. Part 2 is designed for first-time users of Zbrush. You will be able to understand 2.5D Pixols, push and pull concept, brushes, layers, interface navigation, tools in Zbrush, navigation of 3d objects, masking, hiding/showing meshes, transforming and deforming meshes, and understand the various Zbrush file formats.
CFTC Proposed New Algorithmic Trading Rules Augur Potential Increased Obligations and Costs, and a New Registration Requirement
Last week, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission proposed a comprehensive set of new rules that, if adopted, potentially would impose many new obligations on certain CFTC registrants that use algorithmic trading systems to trade futures, options or swaps on designated contract markets (but not on swap execution facilities). Potentially impacted registrants are future commission merchants, floor brokers, swap dealers, major swap participants, commodity pool operators, commodity trading advisors, introducing brokers and certain persons proposed to be registered as floor traders for the first time because of their algorithmic trading activities.
FCMs who are clearing members of DCMs and carry accounts for covered algorithmic traders; DCMs (but not SEFs); and the National Futures Association would also be impacted by the CFTC’s proposed new requirements.
The CFTC’s proposed new rules would also mandate the registration with the CFTC as a floor trader any person who uses an algorithmic trading system that electronically and directly routes orders to a DCM other than first through a clearing-member FCM, unless such person is otherwise registered with the CFTC in another capacity. The CFTC estimates there will be a maximum of 100 potential new floor trader registrants under this proposed new requirement.
Finally, all current categories of CFTC registrants that engage in algorithmic trading and newly required to be registered floor traders would be required to maintain copies of all source code used in a production environment, including all changes, in accordance with general CFTC record-keeping requirements (e.g., retain for five years), and, upon request, make available such source code for inspection by CFTC and US Department of Justice staff without subpoena or other process of law.
Proposed Regulation AT was included in a 521-page document that provided insight into the CFTC’s thinking in proposing the new rules, as well as a cost and benefit analysis.
Previously, in 2013, the CFTC published a concept release regarding algorithmic trading to which many industry and public representatives commented.
The CFTC will accept comments to its proposed rules—known as Regulation AT—for 90 days after its publication in the Federal Register. To assist its analysis, the Commission requested comment on 164 specific issues addressed by the proposed rules.
Under proposed Regulation AT, algorithmic trading is not limited to the black box derivation and electronic placement of orders on DCMs. Covered activity also may include solely automated order placement. There is no minimum number of transactions that constitutes algorithmic trading.
Algorithmic trading is defined broadly to include any trading of any future, option or swap subject to DCM (but not a SEF) rules where an order, modification, or order cancellation is electronically submitted and one or more computer algorithms or systems:
Improving Investment Adviser Compliance, Peter B. Driscoll, SEC Acting Director, Office Of Compliance Inspections And Examinations, GIPS Standards Annual Conference, Sept. 14,
Funds Talk: October 2017 - SEC Issues Risk Alert Regarding Advertising Rule Compliance Based on Recent OCIE Examinations
Investment Adviser CCO Fined and Suspended for One Year for Firm’s Alleged Misleading Registration Filing
SEC Settles Charges Against Investment Adviser for Failing to Disclose Receipt of Revenue Sharing Payments from Third-Party Broker-Dealer
OCIE Highlights Five Deficiency Areas in Examinations of Advisers: Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations
US SEC Publishes Risk Alert on Top Five Investment Adviser Compliance Issues Found During Inspections
CFTC Permits Unaudited Financial Statements Upon Liquidation of a Series of a Pool That is Also a Registered Investment Company
Remarks Of CFTC Chairman Timothy Massad Before The CME Global Financial Leadership Conference, November 14, 2016
CFTC Exempts Certain Wholesale Power Market Transactions from CFTC Regulation, Private Rights of Action
Statement On Adoption Of Investment Company Reporting Modernization, SEC Commissioner Kara M. Stein, Oct. 13, 2016, Investment Company Reporting
US Commodity Futures Trading Commission Publishes Final Response to Court Remand on Costs and Benefits of Cross-Border Guidance
Bridging the Week: New Clearing Member Category; Above the Law; MF Global; FX Trading Front Running; Deliveries; EFRPs
Industry Participants Generally Applaud Proposed Amendments to CFTC Position Limit Proposal But Criticize Ability to Undo Exchanges’ Determinations
Hedge fund short sales covered within 5 days earn an average abnormal return of 14 bps per day – Study
CFTC Issues Final Rules Regarding the Cross-Border Application of its Uncleared Swaps Margin Requirements - June 2016
SigFig raises $40 million in funding, led by Eaton Vance, asserting industry interest in robo-advisers
US Commodity and Futures Trading Commission Commissioner Calls DLT Biggest Innovation in A Generation
Non-U.S. Investment Crowdfunding Platforms Can Offer Securities to U.S. Investors under Current Securities Laws
SEC Adopts Business Conduct Rules and Chief Compliance Officer Requirements for Swap Dealers and Major Security-Based Swap Participants
CFTC Proposed Guidance on Gas and Capacity Contracts Further Reduces Dodd-Frank Swap Burdens on End-Users
Increased Risk of Fraudulent Charges and Identity Theft Sufficient to Confer Article III Standing According to 7th Circuit
Solutions Atlantic Offers Top 5 Tips for Buy-Side Participants to Make Complying with Market Regulations Easier and Less Prone to Error
Goldman Sachs Agrees to Pay More than $5 Billion in Connection with Its Sale of Residential Mortgage Backed Securities
Improving a law that imposes a property tax lid on local governments is a good step, but leaving local tax decisions to local officials would be even better
"CFTC Eliminates End-User Trade Option Reporting Requirements and Addresses Applicability of Position Limits"
Armory Capital Group, LLC Delivers Notice of Default to Trustee of Sidewinder Drilling, Inc.'s Senior Unsecured Notes
Bridging the Week: March 14 - 18, and 21, 2016 (Regulation AT; Equivalence Recognition; Fund Manager Misstatements; Conflicts of Interest; Trade Options)
Investment Adviser Agrees to Pay More Than US $9.5 Million to SEC for Steering Clients to Funds’ Share Classes With Higher Fees When Share Classes With Cheaper Charges Available
In other FinTech news, AQMetrics links up with the DTCC and SS&C embraces ‘straight through margining.’
The Center for Real Estate at Rutgers Business School Names Jeffrey Sica of Circle Squared Alternative Investments to its Advisory Board
CFTC Chairman Offers No Timetable But Says Agency “Working Hard” on Position Limits; FCA Head Says Proposed European Position Limits Unnecessary
Important Dates and Reminders for Investment Advisers, Exempt Reporting Advisers, Commodity Trading Advisors and Commodity Pool Operators
Round Table Wealth Management Announces Appointment of Francis A. Hayes, Jr. as Director, Strategic Relationships
Ancora Advisors Sends Letter to the Board of Directors of The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ZTR)
SunPower Announces Pricing of $400 Million Aggregate Principal Amount of its 4.00% Senior Convertible Debentures due 2023
The SBIC Advisers Relief Act Becomes Law—Changes to SEC and State Investment Adviser Registration Requirements
ST. Louis advisor Don Chamberlin celebrates national save for retirement week with tips for baby boomers
Canadian Solar Signs Agreement with Mashiki Town and Kumamoto Prefecture to Build 47 MWp Solar Plant in Japan
Twin Brothers Sentenced for wire fraud, conspiring to hack into U.S. Department of State and Private Company
CFTC’s Division of Market Oversight Issues Additional Time-Limited No-Action Relief from Electronic Reporting Requirements in the OCR Final Rule
Former Downtown Nightclub Bouncer Arrested on Charges of Operating Illegal Steroid Lab out of His Oak Lawn Home
CFTC Approves Supplement to Proposed Rulemaking to Modify the Aggregation Provisions of Its Position Limit Rules
CFTC Orders Pennsylvania Resident Robert M. McMahon to Pay $171,800 Civil Monetary Penalty and Imposes Permanent Trading and Registration Bans for Engaging in Deceptive Trade Allocation Scheme
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Releases New Tools as Part of Know Before You Owe Mortgage Initiative
Sauber’s Charles Leclerc is learning it hard way in his young Formula 1 career going up against the two-time champion McLaren’s Fernando Alonso in already three of the seven races in the 2018 season so far.
In Azerbaijan, the Monegasque managed to take Alonso en-route his best F1 result so far. But the Spaniard took him on in his home ground in Barcelona where Leclerc was once again in the points scoring position.
In their third duel on track in the Canadian Grand Prix, the Sauber driver had a battle with Alonso for the last point scoring position upon re-start – both having made up three places from their starting position.
The fight continued for a handful of laps as Leclerc managed to fend him off until the Spaniard decided to pit on Lap 18. The McLaren driver went for an undercut which worked as Leclerc came behind Alonso in their fight for points.
But Alonso was forced to retire on Lap 40 due to an exhaust issue which helped Leclerc to finish in points again – his third of the season as he sits 14th with 10 points. “It was a great [fight with Alonso],” he started.
“But [it was] extremely difficult to manage because I had to manage the brakes and at the same time I had to keep him behind. It was definitely not easy but this time I managed to keep him behind.
“Then he undercut us because he pitted one lap earlier. It was basically very hard behind him because again we had to manage the brakes a lot, but I am extremely proud of the team today.
“I think we have learnt from our errors in Monaco, especially on a track like Montreal where it is hardest on brakes of the whole year. It was a big challenge for us to come back from a brake failure in the previous grand prix, so I am extremely proud of them.”
Not only did Leclerc score a point in the race, but he had his fourth straight Q2 performance in a row in qualifying on Saturday, where he managed to beat both the McLaren drivers to start in 13th position.
The results from Leclerc and even Marcus Ericssion – who had a difficult run in Canada – has helped Sauber to 12 points in the standings, where they are eight ahead of Williams and seven behind Haas after seven races in the season.