I won! The 2011 Autodesk 3ds max Master award

I am honored to be named this years Autodesk 3ds max Master!! Thanks so much to everyone that voted. This is such an amazing award to win. What makes it so special is that you must be nominated by your peers the vote in by the CG community. Thanks again to everyone, I really appreciate your support!

Please check out the Meet the Masters page to see all the Autodesk Masters this year and my Q&A with Autodesk.
http://area.autodesk.com/3dec/masters/michael

Substance Bitmap 2 Material Demo

I worked with the guys over at Allegorithmic to create this Bitmap2Material demo video. Check it out!

Bitmap2Material in 3ds Max
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4:04
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1,362

3D World Motion Graphics Article

I contributed an article to 3D World Magazine issue 151 on complex bevels for motion graphics in 3ds max. Take a peek if you get a chance!

They were kind enough to post the video I included as well!

Create perfect complex bevels in 3ds Max
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6:30
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2,403

Ornatrix and Vray hair rendering

Created this video to show how to render Orntrix hair with Vray in 3ds max using the latest free updates for Ornatrix and Vray.

Ornatrix 1.8 and VRay 2.0 Native Support Demo
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9:11
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2,701

State Sets Video Training

Here is a quick video on State Sets in the latest 3ds max subscription drop. If you haven’t seen it yet… Check it out :)

State Sets Basic Training
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18:25
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225

3d World Animated Pivot Article

Have a look at a tutorial I contributed to 3D World magazine issue 147 on animated pivot points on 3ds Max 2012.

(Click image above go to tutorial)

Here is the video tutorial that goes along with it :)

tdw147 qa 3dsmax
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5:57
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1,999

Siggraph 2011 Phoenix FD Demos

Chaos Group has been kind enough to post my Phoenix FD demo from the Siggraph 2011 show floor on their YouTube channel. Take a peek.

Fluid Dynamics in 3ds Max with PHOENIX FD - Presented by Michael McCarthy
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31:37
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5,027

Carbon Scatter Review

Have a peek at the Carbon Scatter review I did for issue 146 of 3D World magazine. Nice tool for populating scenes in 3ds max!

Unofficial 3ds max Users Gathering: Siggraph 2011

I was excited to host this years “Unofficial 3ds max Users Gathering” at Siggraph 2011. 3ds max users flocked to grab beers and food at Mahony & Sons Irish pub right by the water behind the convention center. A great time was had by all. Thanks to everyone for coming and sharing a brew.

Fluid Dynamics Master Class at EUE 2011

My Fluid Dynamics Master Class has been announced at EUE 2011!

Fluid Dynamics in 3ds max with Phoenix FD: Learn how to create complex fire, smoke, and liquid simulations in 3ds max using Chaos Group’s Phoenix FD. Some topics covered will be:
  • Liquid simulation with foam and splashes
  • Rendering liquids with Vray implicit surfaces
  • Igniting objects with dynamically created maps
  • Referencing concurrent simulations for layered complexity in smoke, fire, and liquid simulations
Get up to speed with the latest in fluid dynamics and explore the flexibility of creating and rendering fluids inside 3ds max.

Please have a look at the sessions overview page to see all the great classes that will be given at EUE this year:

http://www.enduserevent.com/speakers/sesion-overview.html

New Phoenix FD Training Videos

Chaos Group has released 6 new Training videos I created for them on Phoenix FD. Please check them out!

3d Artist Magazine Article on Skin Morph

I contributed an article on creating better skinning using Skin Morph in Issue 27 of 3D Artist Magazine. Hope everyone enjoys it :)

3d World Underwater Lighting and Tron Effects

I have two new articles and videos in the latest this issue of 3D world magazine. The first is on under water lighting and the other on creating a Tron like glow effect in 3ds max. Please have a look:)

Light an underwater scene in 3ds Max
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10:09
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3,771
Create a Tron-style render in 3ds Max
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5:02
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3,477

New Phoenix Demo Video

Chaos Group has released a new demo video I created for them to show the features and abilities of Phoenix FD. Please check it out!

Phoenix FD 1.20 - General Overview by Michael McCarthy
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4:16
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25,228

Announced as a Speaker at EUE 2011

I have been announced as one of the speakers at EUE 2011! Check out the list of others speakers on the presenters page here:

http://www.enduserevent.com/speakers/speaker-bios.html

3D Artist AO with Edges Article

I have a new article on creating ambient occlusion renders with edge shading in the latest 3D Artist magazine. These are fun shaders to play with so check it out!

3d World Magazine 140 Exterior Lighting Article

I have a couple articles in the latest this issue of 3D world magazine. One is on basic exterior lighting and the other on motion graphics FX in 3ds max. Take a peek :)

Light an exterior scene in 3ds Max
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14:43
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8,851

3D World 139 Lighting and FX Articles

I have a couple articles in this issue of 3d World. One on lighting an interior and a Q&A on motion graphics effects. Check them out :)

Light an interior scene in 3ds Max (1 of 2)
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8:37
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36,007
Light an interior scene in 3ds Max (2 of 2)
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7:12
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16,053
Animate tubes for motion graphics in 3ds Max
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3:13
Views
2,901

3D World 138: Tron special


I contributed an article on 3 point lighting to this issue of 3d World Magazine. There is also a video that shows how to set up an effective 3 point lighting system.

Autodesk User Group Meeting at Neoscape


I gave a presentation of Slate material workflow and character muscle setups in 3ds max for the January AAUGA meeting at Neoscape. Neoscape is always a wonderful place to give a talk with a wonderful group of animators and 3ds max enthusiasts.