Course Description

Vue is a fun, powerful 3D environmental modeling and animation package. This class will walk you through the steps to create stunning landscapes and indoor scenes. You will also learn how to import objects that are not native to Vue to create scenes using natural environments with hyper-realistic atmospheres and lighting. With an easy-to-learn interface, Vue lets you create your own 3D worlds within minutes. This class is for first time users or users who have just upgraded to Vue and would like to learn this powerful 3D program. Click here to view more sample images This is a 5 week, self-paced, online course. If you need additional help understanding the material presented, you can communicate with the instructor and fellow classmates. The instructor will monitor and track your progress throughout the class. LVS Online offers many wonderful learning tools to help you get the most out of your online course, including an online portfolio service that manages all your course registrations, certificate of completion option, a class discussion board to interact with your instructor and fellow classmates, free hosting account, and a student upload area. LVS is a Corel Training Partner. LVS students may purchase Corel products at a significant savings. Follow this link for details. LVS students are also eligible take advantage of special offers made available by famous software developers such as Andromeda, AV Bros, Extensis, Harry Heim, namesuppressed, Nik Multimedia, and Ulead. Details are provided in the classinfo link found in the confirmation of registration. If you would like to receive more information regarding this course, click on the "Contact Us" link in the Information section and we'll try to answer any of your questions within the day.

Course Requirements

Vue 6 or 7 Infinite or Vue xStream with all updates/patches available at www.e-onsoftware.com/index.php Vue Infinite/xStream Personal Learning Edition (PLE) is a fully functional version of Vue Infinite/xStream. You can create complete projects, save your work, export and render without size limit! Vue PLE is free, never expires, and available for download at http://www.vue6.com/ple Vue 7 Esprite to Vue 7 Complete users will also benefit from this class but should use the PLE version if they do not have the modules called for in the lessons. There will be Zip files provided to complete many of the weekly exercises. WinZip, PKZip, Windows Compression or a similar program is required to unzip these files. A desire to have fun while learning! Plan to spend 3 to 6 hours per week on the lessons. The student interested in this course should have basic computer knowledge. LVS offers a free Windows class if needed. Homework must be reviewed by the instructor in order to earn a certificate. Students have the option of using the Student Upload Area or free web hosting made available for LVS students. Details are provided in the classroom. If you prefer to use your own web space, you must know how to upload your files to a server. Free tutorials are available: Basic HTML page WS_FTP SmartFTP Zip files may be necessary to complete the exercises provided each week. WinZip, PKZip, Windows Compression or similar program is required to unzip these files. Winzip Tutorial Here Windows Compression All lessons are available in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view/print the lessons.

Course Prerequisites

None

Course Syllabus

Lesson 1 Introduction Difference Between Vue Versions Vue Interface Toolbars 3D Views Panels Customizing the Interface Creating Objects Moving, Scaling, & Rotating Objects Visual Browsers Creating Your First Vue Scene Lesson 2 More Primitives Grouping Objects Boolean Operations Metablobs Import Objects from other Applications Configure Poser Import Saving imported Objects Lesson 3 Editing Terrains Standard Terrains Procedural Terrains Atmosphere Editor Sunlight Adjustment Shadow Density Light Tab GodRays MetaClouds Saving Atmospheres Lesson 4 Plants Solid Growth Plants Static Plants Plant Editing Vue Lights Light Types Light Controls Light Panels and Area Lights Underwater Caustics and Light Rays Tutorial Saving Lights as VOB Objects Light Tips Lesson 5 Render Options Preset Render Settings Making Your Own Render Setting Test Renders Basic Material Editor Simple Materials Mixed Materials Saving Materials Sources for Free Bitmapped Materials Lesson 6 Material Summary Advanced Material Editor Displacement Subsurface Scattering Dispersion Advanced Mixed Materials Creating EcoSystem Materials Painting with EcoSystem Materials EcoSystem Tips Final Notes

Course Excerpt

Lesson 1 What is Vue? Vue is a fun, powerful 3D environmental modeling and animation package. But what exactly can you do with Vue? In a general sense, it is a landscape program. That does not mean though that you are limited to only outside scenes. With the new lighting modules introduced in version 5, and the improvements in them with version 6; Vue is now a complete environment creation program. Any environment, from a dark cave to outer space can be created very easily. Difference between Vue Versions Vue is different from other graphic programs as it comes in five different versions. Each version is a full and complete program, but they grow in their abilities and complexities. The nice part about having several levels is that the initial price for getting started with Vue can be under $100. As you upgrade, the price you paid for pervious versions are compensated by the upgrade prices, so in effect, you can keep upgrading without loosing money. The most inexpensive version is Vue Easel. It is a great starting level 3D program. Its strongest feature is all the content that ships with the program and its low initial cost. For first time 3D graphic users, this would be my recommendation. The next version up is Vue Esprit. This is the core version of Vue. You can add modules to increase the capability of the program as needed, so again, the initial cost is lower. When you purchase all five modules (one at a time or in groups) you are automatically upgraded to a Vue Pro license. Vue Pro Studio is the same as Vue Esprit, but includes all five modules. Vue Infinite is the most advanced program and has some features that are only available to Infinite users (there are no modules that have these capabilities). One of those is Python, a type of scripting language. There are several 3rd party add-ons for Vue that require Python, and they can really make a difference in your renders. Vue xStream is designed to work with 3ds Max, Maya, Lightwave and Cinema 4D. With xStream, you can load, edit, and render a Vue scene from within your favorite 3D application. For a complete overview of what each version includes, visit E-on Products Comparative Chart - http://www.e-onsoftware.com/products/?page=4 Vue Interface The Vue interface is designed to look simple at first glance. However, as you go further into the dialogs you will discover many options. This makes it easier to learn and keeps the different versions of Vue looking very similar. Toolbars There are two toolbars: one on the left side and one at the top of the 3D views. Top toolbar This toolbar is placed at the top of the interface, immediately below the menu. It provides shortcuts for the most common operations (file handling, editing objects, atmosphere edit/load, EcoSystem editing, zooming, and render controls). Continued... Please note: Lessons provide step-by-step instructions with detailed screen captures.

Course Goals

At the end of this class you will be able to render amazing landscapes and scenes with Vue. You ll become familiar with the interface, be able to create and apply materials, adjust lighting and atmospheres, and use Vue s eco-systems to create anything from a sweeping field of grass to full forests.

Course Reviews

Donna Sellinger: "There was no information overload. It's easy to get carried away with information you want to share, but sometimes it's too much in one shot. There was just enough information so you could absorb it and not be overwhelmed each week." More...