Mental Bout Max - 3Ds Max & Render Engine Training

New 3Ds Max ToolBox Series Module:

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:04:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

For those of you who have been enjoying learning how
to access and use all of the Max Tools that can help
artists get the very best out of their 3D ViewPorts,
we ahve a brand new 'ToolBox' module covrering the
third of Max 2010's new Viewport Menu's and all of
the tools contained in there.
Viewport shading styles, Viewport background, Transparency,
Hardware Shading (Lighting and Shadows in the viewport)and
the X-View Geometry testing tools are the subjects covered
and will really round out our ability to get quality
feedback from our Max viewPorts. Enjoy. GO BUY IT NOW!

Watch the YouTube Low Rez Preview Below:

OR! Grab the Hi Rez Quicktime from the MBM Site HERE!

Editable Patch Part 2:

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:13:00 +0000

Hey All,

The news for today is that we have a New Module in
3Ds Max Modelling Series up on the site! This is
part 2 of our 'Editable Patch' exploration. In this
module the functionality of the tools found in the
'Geometry' rollout are explored and demonstrated for
your learning pleasure. Hope you enjoy. Check it Here!

Regards
Bri

YouTube Preview:

Full Rez Quicktime: Right Click and 'Save As'
Download Here!

New Mental Ray Shader Series Module!

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:29:00 +0000

Hi Guys and Gals,

Brand New Mental Ray Shader Series Module is up and
For Sale on the MBM Site As I type! (Link Below)

NEW MENTAL RAY SHADER SERIES MODULE LINK

Module 12 in this Series takes a look at creating some
weathered (but newly oiled!!) metal materials! Spefically
to apply to our Storm Lantern Model.

As a *FREE BONUS* in this module we are granting purchasers
Royalty Free use of the Lantern Model in their own Commercial
Production Work! 2 for the price of 1 is Always a good deal.

Enjoy - MBM Dev Team

YouTube Version of the New Module Advert!

OR Download the Full Rez Quicktim HERE!

New Mental Ray Shader Series Module!

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:29:00 +0000

New MBM 3Ds Max Modelling Project

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:55:00 +0000

Hey Guys and Gals,

After promising for a while we have finally gotten a new
3Ds Max Modelling project out the door and up for sale on
the MBM site, which incidentally is www.mentalboutmax.co.uk

Not much we can say except check out the Sample movie for
Part 1 and if it looks useful to you, go and grab it (and
Part 2 of course!) HERE!

Enjoy
MBM Team

YouTube Low Rez preview:

Grab the Full Rez preview from the MBM site HERE!

Mental Ray Fast SSS Video Training Modules

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:40:00 +0000

Hey Gang,

Got 2 New Mental Ray Modules up and ready for your learning
pleasure! This time out we are tackling the 'Fast SSS shader'
in Mental Ray, getting a thorough grounding in how the controls
work, as well as getting a look at the basics of the Sub Surface
Scattering effect itself. Buy the modules Here!

Check out the You Tube Version of the Sample Movie for Part 1:

Or feel free to Right Click HERE! 'Save as' and watch the Full Rez sample.

Enjoy, and keep your feedback coming our way.
Best Wishes the MBM Dev Team.

3 New MBM Modules Released!

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:38:00 +0000

Hey Gang,

Pleased to announce that 3 new training modules are up
and ready for purchase through the MBM website.

1 3Ds Max ToolBox Series - Buy it Here!

1 Mental Ray Shader Series - Buy it Here!

1 VRay Series - Buy it Here!

First preview up for showing on the Blog is the 2nd Part of
our WoodFloor material from the Mental Ray 'Shader Series'.

check out the YouTube preview below:

OR as always Download the HiRez preview from the MBM Website Here!

2 New 3Ds Max ToolBox Modules:

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:15:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

2 New 3Ds Max modules are up on the MBM site and ready
for purchase. Both modules continue our look at 3Ds Max
Viewport tools and controls, module 4 starts to look at
the new triple viewport Menu system in Max 2010. Module
5 focuses on the 'Viewcube' part of Max's viewport
technology. Enjoy! Check them out HERE!

Youtube preview of Module 5:

As always you can check out the Full Hi Rez preview from the MBM Site HERE!

See you later!
Bri

3Ds Max Modelling & Mental Ray shader Series Modules released:

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:33:00 +0000

Hey Guys & Gals,

2 new modules are up on the MBM site. Again we are focused
on 3Ds Max 'Modelling', and Mental Ray 'Shader' Series
modules!

JUMP HERE! to check out the Full Release Newsletter OR jump straight to the relevant pages over on the MBM site.

3Ds Max Modelling Series:

Mental Ray Shader Series:

below is the You Tube Preview for our Mental Ray module:

Check out the Full Hi Rez Quicktime Video HERE!

MBM Spring Sale!

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:32:00 +0000

Hey everyone,

Advert below says it all, and for a limited
period only. Direct links to the relevant
pages below.

Mental Ray

Vray

Brazil

Enjoy!
Bri
MBM Dev Team

Mental Ray Shader Series Module Released:

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:10:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

Hopefully the promises made to customers to get our training
out the door in a more timely fashion will start to feel a
little more concrete as we release our second duo of Modules
in as many weeks!

3Ds Max Modelling Series Module 11: Check it HERE!

and Mental Ray Shader Series Module 7: Check it HERE!

The Mental Ray shader module really builds on Module 6 and its
Water theme as we take a very close look at the functionallity
of the 'Ocean Lume' Shader type.

You Tube Preview Below:

As always, grab the Hi Rez Quicktime HERE!

Hope to get a post regarding the modelling series module up in a
day or two.

Enjoy
Bri

New Module Release: 3Ds Max Modelling Series

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:20:00 +0000

Hey All,

2 new modules are now live and ready to go on the MBM site. (www.mentalboutmax.com)
One Mental Ray Shader Series module, which we will post a sample
of in a day or two. And the one featured here, which is part 7 of
our continued look at the Editable Poly Object in Max. Specifically
getting into 'Sub-Object' specific rollouts.

YouTube Preview:

Or as usual you can download the Full Rez version from the MBM Site HERE!

Have fun!
Bri and the MBM Team

New Mental Ray 'How To' Module - FireFly FX

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:42:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

We are going to use this module to produce a cool little effect with Mental Ray! We are calling our Glowing particle tutorial ‘FireFly’ for what we hope are very obvious reasons. Material creation, Material effects, environment setup and a complete run through of setting up the Particle systems, as well as some sprucing up in compositing are all here in this New ‘How To’ Module from your friendly MBM team!

To Buy it Now! Jump over to the Mental Ray How To Series HERE!

You Tube preview Video -

To download the Hi Rez sample video just right click and 'save as' HERE!

FREE MODULES from the MBM Team! - Part 1

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:24:00 +0000

Hey Guys,

As we are almost ready for entering into the year 2009
the team here at MBM wanted to say a big thank you to
all! So here are our two latest 3Ds Max and Brazil renderer
Training Modules released FREE of charge. Of course anyone
else who wants to check out these Full Modules are more
than welcome to. The links below and in the next post, will
lead you straight to either the Quicktime Movie OR the usual
MBM installer that will place your Quicktimes in the relevant
Mentalboutmax folders, as we do with our regular downloads.

Brazil How To Series Module 4 - Controlling Colour Bleed Part 3:
(Right click and 'save as')

QuickTime Movie HERE!

MBM Installer HERE!

YouTube Preview Movie:

Enjoy the material and we will see you in 2009 with some very
interesting material indeed. :-)

Be Well - MBM Dev Team

VRay 'How To' Module 4 released

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:12:00 +0000

Hey Gang,

Although released last week we have waited until
now to post up the Preview movies here on the Blog!

Part 3 of our Controlling Colour Bleed exploration
sees us looking at GI System controls in the main
Indirect Illumination rollout, the Object Properties,
dialogue as well as controls embedded in some VERY
useful VRay materials. Enjoy. BUY IT HERE!

Watch the YouTube Low Rez Preview below.

OR Download the Hi Rez Quicktime from the MBM Site HERE!
(Right Click and 'Save As')

See you later All,
Regards
Bri

Mental Ray 'How To' Module 14 released:

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:10:00 +0000

Hey Guys'

Part 4 of our 'controlling colour bleed' Mental Ray set is
now up and ready for purchase on the MBM site! Here we delve
into using Global Illumination Photons and seeing how
colour bleed can be controlled when using them as both a
standalone GI solution AND when using them in conjunction with
Final Gather.

Buy it HERE!

Watch the You Tube preview HERE!

Or Download the Full Rez preview from MBM HERE! (Right Click and 'Save As')

Enjoy!
Bri and the MBM Team.

Newly released Mental Ray 'How To' series Module!

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:23:00 +0000

Hello people,

Keeping our Multi engine pipeline moving along we are
happy to let you know that we have just released 2 New
Modules, One for Mental Ray and One for Brazil in the
'Controlling Colour Bleed' mini series we are running
in All our render engine training modules.
Here we give you the preview video for Module 13 in the
Mental Ray 'How To' series, (which of course is part 3 of
the Colour Bleed set) which is looking at the numerous ways
that we can use Final Gather controls to affect colour
bleed in our renders! Buy It Here!

youtube Low Rez preview:

Or as usual you can grab the Hi Rez version from the MBM Site!

New VRay Training Module

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:48:00 +0000

Hey Guys,

After skipping a Blog post for Part 1 of our
VRay 'Controlling Colour Bleed' Mini Series
we thought we had best make sure that we got
one up for part 2. Here we move into actually
learning the tools available in VRay that let
us get control of Colour Bleed in GI Renders.

Go Buy It NOW!

YouTube Preview:

Or Download the Full Rez Version from the MBM site Here!
(right click and 'save as')

Take care
Bri

New Brazil 'How To' Module released:

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:18:00 +0000

Hello,

After spending quite some time figuring out a 'Cross Render
Engine' Module Production pipeline, we are pleased to announce
the release of 2 New modules. 'Controlling Colour Bleed Part 1'
for both the Brazil and VRay engines. We will post the Vray
sample clip in our next post, here though we have included the
5 min intro to the Brazil module that outlines how this little
'Colour Bleed Mini Series' will progress. (The same outline as
for the VRay version!)
If you add this sample clip to the Mental Ray and VRay ones you
get a good idea of what Part 1 is all about.
Enjoy. Jump to the MBM site to Buy It!

You Tube preview below:

OR Grab the Hi Rez version from the MBM Site HERE! (right click and 'save as')

New Mental Ray releases Part 2

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:38:00 +0000

So,

Here is the second of our New Mental Ray releases,
'Controlling Colour Bleed Part 2'
This Module looks at getting control over colour bleed
at the Lighting and Material Level. Buy it HERE!

You Tube Preview:

Or Download the Hi Rez preview from the MBM site HERE

Thats all for now!
See ya later.
regards
Bri & the Team

New Mental Ray Module releases Part 1

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:32:00 +0000

Hey Guys,

here is the first of 2 new Mental Ray modules
that we have just released. This is Part 1 of
a Mini Series that will look thoroughly at the
whole subject of Colour Bleed in our GI renders
and go through a Whole host of methods that will
give us fine Control over it. Buy it HERE

YouTube Preview:

Or Download the Hi Rez preview from the MBM site HERE

Enjoy
Regards
Bri

Still Alive and Kicking!

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:08:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,

Seeing as it has been almost five weeks since we released
a new MBM module, it seems a few customers have been getting
a little worried about things! So I thought a little info on
where we are up to wouldn't go amiss.

During the past month the whole MBM team, (yes all 3 of us!!)
took a bit of a working Holiday [vacation to some of you :-)]
that incorporated much need relaxation with an opportunity
to examine some of the things we wanted to do or even change
about our current set up.

Without going into too many details the upshot is that we will
be basically returning to the original premise for MBM training
which was to produce 'Bite Size' chunks of In Depth Max training.
So the bottom line as it affects you guys will hopefully be
Shorter, lower cost modules, released more frequently, that
spread a proper discussion of the subject at hand over a number
of modules! This should relate to modules for ALL of the current
MBM Training series.

We will hopefully have some interesting news for you on the Brazil
front in the not too distant future that will be very cool for
anyone wanting to jump into this very cool renderer! So stay tuned.

Hopefully that will put a few minds at ease. Not that we have any
problem with you guys checking up on our well being, but it is
always nice to be in the know.

Stay Well
Bri

Brand New Brazil Renderer 'Overview Series' Gets Underway!

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:34:00 +0000

Hey All,

We are pleased to be able to say that the very first of our
Modules in the Brazil Overview Series are up and ready for your
Viewing Pleasure. In 'Interfacing with Brazil', we get an Overview
of all the tools available when using Brazil, as well as 'Where' in the
Max interface we can find them.

YouTube Preview below:

Or download the Hi Rez Preview video from the MBM Site

Enjoy!
Bri and the MBM team

New MBM Training modules for July (re posted)

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:43:00 +0000

Hey All,

Sorry had to edit the previous post and pull the Hi Rez
link into a new post as it hasn't been being picked up
by podcatchers!! :-(

(Taken From the Previous post)

Our second new offering is in the Mental Ray 'How To'
series, Module Ten specifically and here we start to
deal with the problem of Animation Flicker when
rendering with Camera Animation and any of Mental Rays
Indirect Illumination systems.

YouTube Version of Preview Video

View the Hi Rez version off the MBM Site Here!

Enjoy!

New MBM Training Modules for July 2008

brian@mentalboutmax.co.uk (Brian Bradley) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:37:00 +0000

Hey Everyone!

Got two new modules for you up on the MBM site. (See
next post also!)

First up we have the continuation of our look into
the Editable Poly toolset. Editable Poly part 3 digs
into the first half of the 'edit geometry' rollout.

YouTube Version of Preview Video

View the Hi Rez version off the MBM Site Here!

Enjoy and we'll see you soon!

MBM Dev Team

Mental Bout Max - 3Ds Max & Render Engine Training

New 3Ds Max ToolBox Series Module:

Editable Patch Part 2:

New Mental Ray Shader Series Module!

New Mental Ray Shader Series Module!

New MBM 3Ds Max Modelling Project

Mental Ray Fast SSS Video Training Modules

3 New MBM Modules Released!

2 New 3Ds Max ToolBox Modules:

3Ds Max Modelling & Mental Ray shader Series Modules released:

MBM Spring Sale!

Mental Ray Shader Series Module Released:

New Module Release: 3Ds Max Modelling Series

New Mental Ray 'How To' Module - FireFly FX

FREE MODULES from the MBM Team! - Part 1

VRay 'How To' Module 4 released

Mental Ray 'How To' Module 14 released:

Newly released Mental Ray 'How To' series Module!

*New VRay Training Module*

New Brazil 'How To' Module released:

New Mental Ray releases Part 2

New Mental Ray Module releases Part 1

Still Alive and Kicking!

Brand New Brazil Renderer 'Overview Series' Gets Underway!

New MBM Training modules for July (re posted)

New MBM Training Modules for July 2008

New VRay Training Module