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Noesis Interactive (Design3)

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Noesis Interactive (later known as Design 3) published a Library of very useful and in-depth tutorials on many aspects of development through the Source Engine. The DVDs may be hard to come by and expensive. Design3 launched a subscription based service providing all the same tutorials for a monthly fee.

Unfortunately the Design3 Video Streaming Service is no longer available meaning that the only viable method to get the tutorials is via Amazon or second hand online.

3D Content Creation: Learn the nuts and bolts of the Autodesk’s Softimage/3dsMax/Maya interface, polygon modeling, texture application, generate props from scratch, and follow step-by-step instructions for creating biped characters.

This tutorial covers the basics of Softimage/3dsMax/Maya 3D software including 3D layout, modeling, texturing, prop and character modeling and provides you with all the short cuts and tips you need to know to get to the ultimate goal – integrating your own characters, props, and maps into video games.


Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy on Amazon: [XSI, 3dsmax, Maya].

Advanced Character Animation for Gamers: You’ll see how easy it is to rig and envelope a character for the Source™ engine, create game walk cycles and apply motion capture data to your own custom designed characters within Source SDK powered games.

Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy through Amazon

Character Design & Integration: Using custom templates, you’ll begin by quickly transforming ordinary facial photos to Half-Life 2 characters in no time. Then, learn the extensive character creation tools of Softimage. Demystify rigging and weighting, and learn how to prepare your models to be exported to various game engines. Finally, learn how to test, perfect, and export your 3D characters from Softimage into Half-Life 2 Deathmatch.

Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy on Amazon: [XSI, 3dsmax, Maya].

Advanced level design: Advanced Source® Level Design, part of the Noesis Interactive MOD Your World training series, teaches you to “Create Your World” by focusing on designing and constructing your own custom levels within Counter-Strike™: Source®, Half-Life®2, Day of Defeat™: Source® and other Source® SDK powered games. Learn the fundamentals of Hammer™ as well as advanced texturing, displacement, functionality and optimization techniques.

Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy through Amazon

Custom Props & Animation: Learn the basics of 3D animation in SOFTIMAGE, build an animation library and create dynamic props that can be walked on, picked up, broken apart and brought to life within Source powered games.

Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy on Amazon: [XSI, 3dsmax, Maya].

Source Creature Rigging: Working in Softimage, you’ll start with the basics of bones, joints, and hierarchies as you set up an animation rig for a biped skeleton character. Then learn how to create a shadow rig and envelope the character model to it. Next, you’ll see the character guides and rigs that are already included in Softimage and learn how to modify them to fit your own needs. Finally, you’ll go through the entire process of creating a skeletal rig for a quadruped dragon character, ready to export to the Source engine.

Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy through Amazon

Source Vehicle Programming: Source Vehicle Programming introduces you to the basic functions and methodologies of programming in the Source Engine. With a results oriented approach and an experimentation oriented attitude, see the real evolution of a vehicle modification from the very beginning, including compiler and Source Control integration using free, professional quality tools.

Starting with control integration, you’ll discover how to navigate through the Source Engine’s enormous code base to the specific functions you need. From there, learn how to use Source Engine features and functions including basic networking, physics, GUI and debugging.

With step-by-step video instructions and sections introducing nearly all the most commonly used areas of the Source Engine, this tutorial is a must have for anyone interested in learning to program their first mod or get familiar with Source development practices.

Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy through Amazon

Modifying & Recompiling Source Characters with XSI: In this tutorial you’ll learn the specific methods for extracting, decompiling, modifying and finally recompiling character and prop models in Half-Life 2. Using a powerful combination of the XSI Mod Tool, various third party apps and Valve’s own SDK

Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy through Amazon

Real-Time Character Animation with XSI: Real-Time Character Animation teaches you expert techniques used by professional animators. Working in Softimage with a character and animations from the Source engine video game, Counter Strike, you’ll learn how to blend different poses and motions together in order to create new animation sequences.

Then use customized parameters to develop the controls and organization necessary to work with the animation sequences. Using device capture you’ll be able to link your mouse movements to the character animation controls and essentially turn your mouse into a motion capture tool. Finally, you’ll see how to create real-time shadows from the character model geometry.

Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy through Amazon

Source Machinima Choreography: Direct a full range of digital characters and creatures using Valve’s Source engine Software Development Kit, then create elaborate in-game sequences featuring your digital cast. You’ll use the FacePoser animation software and the Hammer map editor to push machinima to new limits. Topics covered include character movement, animation blending, gesture manipulation, facial expressions, lip-syncing, prop interaction, and more.

Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy through Amazon

Source Machinima Cinematography: Ross Scott’s ‘Source Machinima Cinematography’ guides you from script to screen through the evolving world of machinimaking. Learn integral topics such as pre-production, voice recording, audio editing, virtual camera work, video production and the addition of post-production effects.

Master the Valve Demo Smoother and Source Recorder tools and learn to use Hammer’s internal cameras to render impressive cinematic shots that would be nearly impossible in the physical world. You’ll soon discover why machinima has peaked the interests of both gamers and filmmakers around the globe.
 
Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy through Amazon

Source Vehicle Scripting: In a step-by-step process, examine the purpose and various uses for every scriptable property of the vehicle systems. Vehicle scripts present a particular problem due to the complex, hidden interactions between variables.

With Source Vehicle Scripting, you’ll learn not only what those interactions are, but you’ll also go through examples of how to fine tune them to get the results you are looking for. From a car that falls up to a drag racing sports car, you’ll run the gamut of possible changes and learn from experience the limits of scripting.

Language: English
You may be lucky enough to find a copy through Amazon

Portal 2 Mapping Basics: The Portal 2 Mapping Basics tutorial will teach you how to start making your own maps and puzzles for Valve’s game, Portal 2. Learn how to use the Portal 2 Authoring Tools, along with Hammer, to build your own maps and add entities to them. Follow along as weighted companion cubes, turrets, propulsion gels, faith plates, hard light brides, and more are explained and shown. After completing this tutorial you’ll be ready to get started on your own Portal 2 maps and mods!

Language: English
This series was only available to stream through Design3 which is unfortunately no longer available.

Left 4 Dead Mapping: Interested in creating your own custom Left 4 Dead campaign? The Left 4 Dead Mapping tutorial will teach you everything you need to know to make it happen! Learn how to use Valve’s Left 4 Dead Authoring Tools and Hammer to build your own maps and populate them with infected hordes of enemies. Follow along as Noesis Interactive’s own custom campaign, “Fort Noesis”, is dissected and explained through easy to understand lessons.
After completing this tutorial you’ll be ready to create your own unique zombie apocalypse!

Language: English
This series was only available to stream through Design3 which is unfortunately no longer available.