dvGarage and Electric Image Announce Macintosh-Based 3D Training System

dvGarage and Electric Image have teamed up to put out a low cost, integrated training system designed to teach 3D principles and techniques to visual artists in all industries. The system is called the 3D Toolkit and will include DVD-based training hosted by Alex Lindsay, dvGarage founder and former Industrial Light & Magic animator, as well as a full version of ElectricImage Animation System 2.9. Originally sold for $2,295 and used to create 3D effects in Star Wars: Episode 1, Babylon 5 and other productions, the 3D Toolkit will be available in late July for $199. The 3D Toolkit is designed for of artists who want to integrate 3D visual effects into their projects. Rather than describing each button on the software¹s user interface, the 3D Toolkit will teach the essential "building blocks" of working in 3D through tutorials, instructional video and community projects. The 3D Toolkit will also offer high-end tips and tricks for established 3D artists who want to take their work to the next level, regardless of what 3D application they are using. The 3D Toolkit includes an overview of modeling, animating and rendering, as well as both basic and advanced tutorials. It also includes a collection of texture maps, models, surface settings and more. In addition, later this summer dvGarage will release six additional components to its 3D Toolkit system. They are camera mapping, texture mapping and animation for technique training and pre-visualization, broadcast and print for professional specialization. Electric Image's Universe 3.0 provides significant new features and cross-platform availability for Macintosh (with native support for OS X coming this summer), Windows and Sun Solaris platforms.