LAmrUG

Los Angeles mental ray^® User Group

mental images^® now offers Training and Consulting Services. Here is some information on the first training course offering.

Program

Our first training class will focus on teaching people how to write mental ray^® shaders. In this sense, it is a class for those who are familiar with programming in C.

Training through this program is application independent.

Where

Initially, this class will be held at RFX in Hollywood, CA. Please contact Bart if you are interested in on-site training at your production facility.

When

August 2005

Class 01 - Writing mental ray Shaders
Mon-Wed., Aug. 8-10, 10AM-6PM

September 2005

Class 01 - Writing mental ray Shaders
Fri-Sun. mid-September

What

Class Outline

Writing mental ray Shaders
A 3-day training class taught by Andy Kopra and Barton Gawboy

• Structure - scene, shaders, and usage
• Color
• Light
• Shape
• Space
• Image
• Render Implementation
• Illumination Models
• Style, Convention and Debugging

Prerequisites

The minimum requirements for taking the class include:

1. Experience using mental ray in one of the 3D applications (Maya, XSI, 3ds max, etc.).
2. Knowledge of C programming:
   • Variable declaration and definition
   • Control structures: "if/else", "for", "while", "switch"
   • Function definition
   • Pointers: declaration, dereferencing, casting of "void*" pointers, use as function arguments for return values
   • Structs: pointer syntax, field access
   • Compilation, linking and definition of shared libraries.
3. Reasonable proficiency with a text editor and command-line tools.

Cost

The cost of the training course is $1500.00 US. It includes a personal use license of standalone mental ray. If you are a student or an intern, please contact us for potential discounts. We will accept major credit cards and Company Checks.

How

To sign up for the class, please call (415) 377-9296, or send an email request to Becky Tredway, the CFO of mental images, inc. (If you click on her email link, use the mental.com domain; i.e., use her first name followed by an *at* sign and mental.com). Please include your full name, phone number, and other pertinent contact information.